Arrangement of cylinders in Nissan Murano Z51: diagram, numbering and order of engine operation

Owners Nissan Murano Z51 (2003-2007 model years) are often faced with the need to accurately determine the location of the cylinders - whether to replace spark plugs, diagnose dead cylinders or repair the cylinder head. Errors in numbering can lead to serious consequences: from incorrect installation of high-voltage wires to damage Engine ECU during diagnosis. In this article we will analyze official cylinder numbering scheme for all modifications Murano Z51, including popular VQ35DE, as well as nuances that are not indicated in the manuals.

Feature Murano Z51 — transverse arrangement of the engine, which affects the visual perception of the order of the cylinders. Many car owners confuse the first cylinder with the sixth due to the specific viewing angle under the hood. We will not only show correct numbering, but we will also explain how this is related to engine operating order, valve timing and even the location of the ignition coils. For clarity, we present comparative diagrams and tables with technical parameters.

Official cylinder numbering scheme for the Nissan Murano Z51

B Nissan Murano Z51 classic is used for Nissan cylinder numbering system, but taking into account the transverse arrangement of the power unit. The first cylinder is always on the side timing belt (on the right, if you look at the engine from the radiator side). This rule applies to all gasoline engines installed on Z51:

• 🔢 VQ35DE (3.5 l) - 6 cylinders, V-arrangement
• 🔢 VQ25DE (2.5 l, rare modification for some markets) - similar scheme
• 🔢 QR25DE (2.5 l, for basic configurations) - 4 cylinders, in-line arrangement

Cylinder numbering in VQ35DE (most common engine Murano Z51):

• 🔴 1st cylinder — right row, closest to the radiator
• 🟢 2nd cylinder - right row, middle
• 🔵 3rd cylinder — right row, farthest from the radiator
• 🟡 4th cylinder — left row, farthest from the radiator
• 🟤 5th cylinder - left row, middle
• ⚫ 6th cylinder — left row, closest to the radiator

Important: if you look at the engine from the cabin side, the order of the cylinders will be mirrored! This is a common cause of errors when replacing spark plugs or diagnosing dead cylinders using a scanner. For example, cylinder No. 4 on the VQ35DE is physically closer to the cabin than cylinder No. 6, which contradicts intuitive perception.

The order of operation of the cylinders and its connection with numbering

The order of operation of the cylinders VQ35DE — 1-2-3-4-5-6, but this does not mean that they fire sequentially. In fact, the engine uses the circuit 1-4-5-2-3-6 for optimal balance and reduced vibration. Why is this important?

• 🔧 During diagnosis misfires The scanner shows the cylinder number by firing order, not by physical location.
• ⚡ Incorrect interpretation may lead to replacement of working spark plugs or coils instead of faulty ones.
• 🛠️ When adjusting valves or replacing the cylinder head gasket, you need to focus on physical numbering, and not on the order of work.

For example, if the scanner shows gaps in 4th cylinder, we are talking about physical cylinder No. 4 (left row, farthest from the radiator), and not about the fourth in the order of operation (which is cylinder No. 2). This confusion is one of the main reasons for mistakes in DIY repairs.

Physical cylinder number	Operating procedure	Location (VQ35DE)	Typical faults
1	1	Right row, closest to the radiator	Overheating, carbon deposits on spark plugs
2	5	Right row, middle	Misfire, coil wear
3	3	Right row, farthest from the radiator	Oil seal leaks
4	2	Left row, farthest from the radiator	Occurrence of rings, low compression
5	4	Left row, middle	Unstable idle
6	6	Left row, closest to the radiator	Problems with the fuel injector

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z51 with QR25DE (4-cylinder) order of operation of the cylinders - 1-3-4-2, and the numbering goes from left to right (from the timing side to the interior). Do not confuse with V6!

How to visually determine the cylinder number under the hood

Even knowing the theory, under the hood Murano Z51 It's easy to get confused due to the cramped engine compartment and transverse engine position. Here's a practical algorithm:

1. Open the hood and stand facing the radiator.
2. Find timing belt — it is located on the right (in the direction of travel of the car).
3. The cylinder closest to the belt in the right row is №1.
4. Then the numbering goes along the row: No. 2 (middle), No. 3 (farthest from the belt).
5. In the left row, the numbering is mirrored: No. 4 (far), No. 5 (middle), No. 6 (close to the radiator).

For clarity, you can use a marker or sticker to mark the cylinders before starting work. This is especially true when replacing ignition coils, since they are easy to confuse during reassembly.

Take a photo of the location of the high-voltage wires|Mark the cylinders with a marker (1–6)|Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery|Check that you have a spark plug tool (14 mm socket)-->

If you are working with QR25DE (4-cylinder), focus on valve cover: the cylinder closest to the timing belt is No. 1, then in order to No. 4. It’s easier here, but access to the 3rd and 4th cylinders is difficult due to the intake manifold.

Common mistakes when working with cylinders and how to avoid them

Errors in determining the numbering of cylinders on Murano Z51 lead to serious consequences. Let's look at the most common ones:

• 🔌 Mixed up high voltage wires - leads to misfires, errors P030X and damage to the coils.
• 🔥 Incorrect spark plug tightening - on VQ35DE The tightening torque for the spark plugs is 20–25 Nm. Overtightening leads to damage to the threads in the cylinder head.
• 🛑 Ignoring work order — when diagnosing leaks with a scanner, you need to translate the physical number of the cylinder into the operating order (for example, cylinder No. 4 according to physical numbering corresponds to the second one in the operating order).

Practical example: when replacing spark plugs, owners often confuse cylinders No. 3 and No. 6 due to their symmetrical arrangement. As a result ignition coil, designed to work with cylinder No. 3, is connected to No. 6, which leads to an error P0306 (misfires in the 6th cylinder) and unstable engine operation at idle.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z51 with VQ35DE Ignition coils are individual for each cylinder and are not interchangeable! Installing a coil from cylinder No. 1 to cylinder No. 4 will lead to its rapid failure.

To avoid mistakes, always check the diagram in service manual (section EM-Engine Mechanical). For VQ35DE current edition MURANO Z51 FSM 2005, which shows a detailed diagram indicating the installation angles of the timing marks.

Where can I download the official manual for Murano Z51?

Official manuals (FSM) for Nissan Murano Z51 can be found on the websites:

1. Nicoclub.com (section "Service Manuals") - registration required.

2. Nissan-TechInfo (paid access, but there is a trial period).

3. Torrent trackers (search for "Nissan Murano Z51 FSM PDF").

Pay attention to the year of manufacture - diagrams for the 2003 and 2007 model years may differ!

Cylinder numbering and fault diagnosis

Knowing the cylinder numbering is critical for diagnostics. Murano Z51 using a scanner (for example, Launch X431 or ELM327). Let's look at how to correctly interpret errors:

• 🔍 Error P0301 - gaps in 1st cylinder (right row, closest to the radiator). Common cause: faulty coil or spark plug.
• 🔍 Error P0304 - gaps in 4th cylinder (left row, farthest from the radiator). There may be a compression leak or an injector problem.
• 🔍 Error P0300 - random omissions. It is necessary to check all cylinders in order of operation (1-4-5-2-3-6).

For an accurate diagnosis, use cylinder balance test (available in most diagnostic scanners). Algorithm:

1. Connect the scanner and select the mode Cylinder Balance Test.
2. Disable each cylinder one by one (the scanner will do this programmatically).
3. Compare the drop in revolutions: if the revolutions do not change when the cylinder is turned off, it is inoperative.

On VQ35DE most often problems arise with the cylinders No. 2 and No. 5 due to overheating of the middle part of the block head. If the scanner shows misfires in these cylinders, check:

• 🔥 Condition ignition coils (resistance should be 5–7 kOhm).
• 💧 Level and quality motor oil (a low level leads to oil starvation of hydraulic compensators).
• 🔧 Compression (normal for VQ35DE — 12–14 bar, spread between cylinders is no more than 1 bar).

Features of numbering in different markets (JDM, USDM, EUDM)

A surprise for many: the numbering of cylinders on Nissan Murano Z51 may vary depending on the market! This is due to differences in the layout of the engine compartment and the location of attachments. Let's look at the key differences:

Market	Engine	Cylinder numbering	Features
USDM (USA)	VQ35DE	1–3 (right row), 4–6 (left row)	Standard diagram, as in the manual
JDM (Japan)	VQ35DE	1–3 (left row), 4–6 (right row)	Mirror numbering! Associated with a different timing belt location
EUDM (Europe)	VQ35DE	1–3 (right row), 4–6 (left row)	Same as USDM, but variations possible for LHD/RHD
USDM	QR25DE	1–4 (from left to right)	No changes for all markets

Why is this important? If you buy Murano Z51 on the secondary market, especially Japanese import (JDM), always check your destination market! For example, when replacing cylinder head gaskets on the JDM version, mirror numbering must be taken into account, otherwise the guide bushings may be installed incorrectly.

How to determine your market Murano Z51?

• 🔍 Take a look VIN code: The first characters indicate the country of manufacture (JN1 - Japan, 5N1 - USA).
• 📄 Check it out badge under the hood - Japanese standards are often indicated on JDM versions (for example, JIS D1015).
• 🔧 Pay attention to the location battery: On JDM it is often found in the trunk.

⚠️ Attention: On JDM versions Murano Z51 with VQ35DE ignition coils may have different markings (for example, 22448-AL505 instead of 22448-4M015 for USDM). Please ensure compatibility before purchasing!

Practical application: replacing spark plugs and ignition coils

Now let's move on to practice. Let's look at how to properly replace spark plugs and ignition coils with Nissan Murano Z51 taking into account the numbering of the cylinders. You will need:

• 🔧 14 mm head with extension (for candles).
• 🔧 10 mm socket wrench (for coils).
• 🔧 Torque wrench (torque for tightening spark plugs - 20–25 Nm).
• 🔧 Dielectric grease (for coil contacts).

Procedure:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Remove decorative engine cover (4 clips).
3. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors (press the lock and pull up).
4. Unscrew the bolts securing the coils (1 bolt per coil, the tightening torque for reassembly is 8–10 Nm).
5. Remove the coils and spark plugs. For cylinders No. 3 and No. 6 An extension cord may be required.
6. Install new spark plugs (recommended gap - 1.0–1.1 mm for VQ35DE).
7. Reassemble in reverse order, observing the tightening torques.

Features for VQ35DE:

• 🔥 Cylinders No. 1 and No. 6 most accessible, while No. 3 and No. 4 require caution due to limited space.
• ⚡ When replacing coils, always use original (articles: 22448-4M015 or 22448-AL505 for JDM). Analogs (for example, Denso or NGK) may not provide a stable spark.
• 🛠️ After replacement, reset errors with the scanner, even if Check Engine not lit - this will prevent false alarms.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan Murano Z51 cylinders

🔍 Which cylinder is the most problematic on VQ35DE in Murano Z51?

On VQ35DE most often problems arise with cylinder No. 2 (right row, middle) due to overheating and carbon deposits on the spark plugs. Also vulnerable cylinder No. 5 — here the valve stem seals often wear out, which leads to oil leaks.

🔧 Is it possible to swap ignition coils between cylinders?

No! Coils on VQ35DE calibrated for a specific cylinder. For example, a coil from cylinder #1 will not work correctly on cylinder #4. This is due to different spark gap lengths and settings ECU.

📊 Why does the scanner show misfires in cylinder No. 4, but in fact the problem is in No. 2?

The scanner displays the cylinder number by work order (1-4-5-2-3-6), rather than by physical location. Cylinder No. 4 corresponds in operating order to physical cylinder No. 2. Always check the correspondence table!

🔥 Which spark plugs are best for Murano Z51 with VQ35DE?

Original candles - NGK PLFR5A-11 (article 22401-4M015). Alternatives:

• Denso FK16HR11 (article 5303)
• Bosch FR7DPX (article 0242235666)

Gap - 1.0–1.1 mm. Avoid cheap analogues - they can cause detonation.

🛠️ How to check compression in cylinders without special equipment?

You can roughly estimate the compression using the “old-fashioned” method:

1. Unscrew the spark plug from the cylinder being tested.
2. Insert a screwdriver into the hole and turn the engine with the starter.
3. If the screwdriver flies out with force, the compression is normal. If it barely moves, the compression is low.

For an accurate diagnosis, use compression gauge (norm for VQ35DE — 12–14 bar).