The 1992 G20 is essentially a rebadged Nissan Primera with the SR20DE engine—a solid platform undermined by transmission cooler failures that can grenade the automatic, plus typical high-mileage SR20 head gasket weepage. Manual transmission cars fare much better.
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (Automatic Only)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or milky transmission fluid—coolant mixing with ATF, Transmission slipping, delayed engagement, or complete failure, Overheating transmission temp gauge readings, Strawberry milkshake appearance in radiator overflow
Fix: The internal radiator transmission cooler corrodes and allows coolant into the ATF, destroying clutch packs and valve body. Requires new radiator, full transmission flush or rebuild, and often torque converter replacement. Expect 8-12 hours labor for radiator + transmission rebuild if caught late. If caught early (just cooler failure), radiator swap and multiple flushes run 4-6 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,500
Head Gasket Seepage (SR20DE)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil weeping from head/block mating surface, especially near timing chain end, Slight coolant consumption without external leaks, White residue under oil cap (not always full head gasket failure), Minor overheating under load if coolant loss is significant
Fix: SR20DE head gaskets develop slow external leaks more often than catastrophic combustion leaks. Requires timing chain removal, head pull, resurface, and new gasket set. Book time around 8-10 hours including timing chain tensioner and guides replacement while in there.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Severe clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that disappears when in Neutral, Visible engine/trans movement when blipping throttle in Park, Rattling over bumps from driveline
Fix: The rear transmission mount (torque mount) fails predictably. Easy DIY job—1.5-2 hours to replace. OEM part is expensive; aftermarket works fine. Manual cars see this too but slightly later mileage.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Distributor O-Ring Oil Leak
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil pooling under distributor at back of engine, Oil dripping onto exhaust manifold (burning oil smell), Intermittent misfires if oil wicks into distributor cap, Wet spark plug wires at distributor end
Fix: The large O-ring where the distributor mates to the head hardens and leaks. Requires distributor removal, timing reset, and O-ring replacement. Simple 2-hour job but often ignored until it causes ignition issues or makes a mess.
Estimated cost: $180-350
Fuel Filler Neck Corrosion (Recall Item)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Strong fuel smell near left rear wheel area, Wet pavement under car after fillup, Difficulty filling tank—pump clicks off repeatedly, Visible rust perforation on filler neck tube
Fix: NHTSA recall covered this but many cars never had it done. The filler pipe rusts through, especially in salt states. Check recall completion; if not done, Infiniti may still cover it. Otherwise, aftermarket replacement takes 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $250-500
Timing Chain Tensioner and Guide Wear
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 150,000-200,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold startup that fades after 10-20 seconds, Metal-on-metal sound at idle once warmed up, Check Engine Light with camshaft position sensor codes, Rough idle and loss of power if chain has jumped timing
Fix: SR20DE uses a chain, not a belt, but tensioner and guides wear out. If the chain rattles, it can jump and bend valves (interference engine). Requires front cover removal, new tensioner, guides, chain if stretched. 6-8 hours labor. Do this with head gasket if both are due.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Buy a manual transmission example under 120k miles with service records—avoid automatics unless cooler failure has been addressed and transmission is proven healthy.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.