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2020 Q50 3.0t VR30DDTT Engine Coolant Leaks & Misfires

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 3:51 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Silver Sport

I'm having some serious concerns with my 2020 Infiniti Q50 3.0t (Silver Sport). Recently, I've noticed a sweet smell coming from the engine bay, and my coolant reservoir seems to be dropping slowly. I haven't seen any obvious puddles, but there's a faint residue around some hoses.

To make matters worse, I've also had a couple of instances where the engine felt like it was misfiring under acceleration, and the check engine light flashed briefly before going off. I'm really worried about potential issues with the VR30DDTT engine, especially the turbos or the infamous 'gallery gasket' type of issues I've read about on older Nissan engines, though I know this is a different motor.

Has anyone with a 2020 Q50 experienced these symptoms? What should I be looking for? Is this a common reliability problem for the VR30DDTT, and what's the typical repair cost if it's a known issue like a turbo coolant line?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 3:51 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

The symptoms you're describing—coolant loss, sweet smell, and intermittent misfires—are indeed concerning for your 2020 Infiniti Q50 with the VR30DDTT engine. These issues can be interconnected and point to some known areas of concern for this powerplant.

  1. Turbocharger Coolant Lines/Seals: A very common point of failure on the VR30DDTT are the coolant lines and seals associated with the turbochargers. These lines are exposed to high heat and can degrade, leading to slow, often hard-to-spot, coolant leaks. The sweet smell is a tell-tale sign of ethylene glycol coolant. If coolant leaks onto hot exhaust components, it can burn off quickly, leaving little evidence on the ground but a persistent smell. A significant leak here could potentially lead to turbocharger overheating if not addressed.
  2. Misfires and Lean Condition: The brief misfires and flashing check engine light (CEL) could be related to several factors. If the coolant leak is allowing air into the cooling system, it can affect engine temperature regulation. More directly, if there's any vacuum leak associated with a coolant hose or if a sensor is affected, it could lead to a lean condition. OBD codes for misfires typically range from P0301-P0306 (cylinder specific misfire) or P0300 (random misfire). A lean condition would typically trigger P0171/P0174 (System Too Lean Bank 1/2).
  3. Spark Plugs/Ignition Coils: While not directly related to the coolant leak, misfires can also be caused by aging spark plugs or failing ignition coils, especially if the vehicle is nearing 60,000 miles or has been driven hard. These are good maintenance items to check.
  4. Other Coolant System Components: Less common but possible are leaks from the radiator, water pump, or other hoses. A pressure test of the cooling system can help pinpoint these.

When to see a shop:

Given the combination of coolant loss and misfires, it's crucial to have your Q50 inspected by an Infiniti dealership or a shop familiar with the VR30DDTT engine as soon as possible. Continuing to drive with a coolant leak can lead to engine overheating and severe damage. The flashing CEL indicates a severe misfire that could damage the catalytic converter. A professional diagnostic will include a cooling system pressure test, visual inspection of the turbo coolant lines, and a scan for specific OBD codes. Addressing these issues early is key to preventing more expensive repairs.

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