The 2014 Nissan Skyline (V36 chassis, sold as Infiniti G37 in North America) is generally reliable with the bulletproof VQ-series V6, but timing chain components and transmission oil cooling are the main failure points that can lead to catastrophic damage if ignored.
Timing Chain System Failure (Guide Rails & Tensioners)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle lasting 3-5 seconds that worsens over time, Metallic grinding or whining from timing cover area, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0335, P0340), Catastrophic failure: jumped timing, bent valves, no-start
Fix: Replace timing chains (primary and secondary), tensioners, guides, and oil pump drive chain. Requires front-end disassembly including radiator removal. Budget 12-16 labor hours. This is a preventive job you do WHEN you hear the rattle, not IF—waiting leads to internal engine damage.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure (7AT models)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow tank), Erratic shifting or slipping between gears, Overheating transmission temp warnings, Complete transmission failure if coolant enters valve body
Fix: Replace factory cooler with updated part or aftermarket unit, flush entire cooling system AND transmission (sometimes requires new radiator if contaminated). If caught early: 4-6 hours. If trans is damaged: add another $3,000-5,000 for rebuild. Many owners bypass with external cooler as preventive measure.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Valve Body & Solenoid Degradation (7-Speed Automatic)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard or delayed 2-3 upshift, especially when cold, Transmission refusing to downshift under throttle, Limp mode (locks in 3rd gear) with codes P0746, P2709, Shudder or hesitation during light acceleration
Fix: Drop pan, replace valve body solenoid pack (often solenoids 1, 2, and 3). Sometimes full valve body replacement needed. 6-8 hours labor. This is wear-and-tear; regular fluid changes (every 30k mi) delay but don't prevent it.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Leaking Valve Cover Gaskets (VQ35HR especially)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning oil smell after driving, visible smoke from engine bay, Oil pooling on top of exhaust manifolds, Low oil level with no visible external drips on ground, Spark plug tube seal failures causing misfires (oil in plug wells)
Fix: Replace both valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals. Upper plenum removal required for rear bank access. 4-5 hours labor. Very common wear item on VQ engines—not a design flaw, just age.
Estimated cost: $600-900
Lifter Tick / Collapsed Hydraulic Lifters
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: Persistent ticking/tapping at idle that doesn't quiet after warm-up, Louder on one bank than the other, Can progress to bent pushrods or rocker arm damage if ignored, Often confused with timing chain noise but persists hot and cold equally
Fix: Replace failed lifter(s)—requires cylinder head removal to access. 10-14 hours labor per bank. If multiple lifters have failed, consider doing all 24 while heads are off. Sometimes caused by poor oil change intervals or wrong oil viscosity (use 5W-30 only).
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,800
Transmission Mount Failure (Upper and Lower)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine/trans movement when revving in Park, Rougher shift feel overall
Fix: Replace upper (transmission-side) and lower (crossmember-side) mounts. Upper mount requires dropping exhaust and subframe support. 3-4 hours labor for both. Aftermarket polyurethane mounts last longer but increase NVH.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles religiously—the 7AT is NOT lifetime fluid despite what the manual says
Address timing chain rattle immediately when it appears; every cold start after that is rolling the dice on engine survival
Use factory Nissan Matic-S fluid or equivalent spec only—wrong ATF will destroy the 7-speed valve body in under 20k miles
Inspect transmission oil cooler and coolant condition at every service; mixing fluids = game over for the trans
Stick with 5W-30 oil (not 5W-20) and 5,000-mile intervals to prolong lifter and timing chain life
Buy one if it has documented timing chain and transmission service history; walk away from any high-miler with cold-start rattle or unknown fluid maintenance—the repair bills will exceed the purchase price.
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.
Fitment notes: Japanese market specification; battery located in engine bay
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Every control module on the 2007-2014 Nissan Skyline — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Audio Visual Control Unit / Navigation Unit (AV/NAV)1.5 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.3 hr▸ programming details
📍 Center dash, integrated with touchscreen (if equipped)
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus or Autel
⚠️ Base audio or navigation system. VIN coding recommended. Radio code may be required.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2014 Nissan Skyline 3.5L V6 VQ35HR and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.