Nissan Gloria: common faults & what to check

Which Nissan Gloria are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Engine not documented

2 variants documented

1995–1999Y331995–1999Y33Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues1 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Suland at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.

1999–2004Y341999–2004Y34Engine not documented for this generationEngine not documentedDocumented issues8 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: Mytho88 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Nissan Gloria

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Nissan Gloria before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Costly issue

  Test drive at 80-100 km/h with very light throttle and feel for rhythmic vibration through the seat and floor.

  See why

  5-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Shudder

  The 5-speed RE5R01A automatic transmission develops torque converter lock-up clutch shudder under light throttle at highway speed. The friction material on the lock-up clutch wears and glazes, causing a rhythmic vibration at 60-100 km/h under light cruise throttle.

  What you would notice

  • Rhythmic vibration felt at 60-100 km/h under very light throttle that clears when accelerating firmly
  • ATF that is brown or has a burnt smell indicates degraded fluid contributing to clutch shudder

  Typically $400–$2,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Disconnect the waste gate actuator vacuum line and manually apply vacuum — the rod should move smoothly and hold vacuum for at least 30 seconds.

  See why

  VQ30DET Turbo Waste Gate Actuator Failure

  The VQ30DET 3.0 turbocharged V6 in the Y34 Gloria uses a pneumatic waste gate actuator to control boost pressure. The actuator diaphragm develops a crack over time, causing loss of boost pressure control. A cracked actuator rod or diaphragm results in either persistent overboost (rod stuck closed) or permanent underboost/wastegate open (rod stuck open). Overboost triggers the ECU boost protection cut, while underboost produces a flat power curve with no turbo response.

  What you would notice

  • Loss of power under acceleration with a flat power curve and no perceptible turbo spool
  • Boost-related fault code stored or overboost cut-off with sudden power loss above 4000rpm

  Typically $300–$900 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Inspect boot for splitting.

  See why

  Front Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Wear

  Front lower control arm ball joints wear with mileage causing clunking on rough surfaces and imprecise handling.

  What you would notice

  • Clunking from front suspension over bumps and during low-speed manoeuvring
  • Imprecise handling feel when changing direction

  Typically $350–$800 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check for oil leaks around valve covers, sump and gaskets.

  See why

  VQ30DE Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leak

  Valve cover gaskets on the VQ30DE in Y33/Y34 Gloria harden with age and leak at the semi-circular cut-outs. Oil travels down the rear of the engine and contacts the oxygen sensor wiring harness, degrading the insulation. Spark plug well seals also fail, allowing oil ingress into plug wells and causing misfires. The rear bank is particularly difficult to access in the Y33 engine bay.

  What you would notice

  • Oil leaks visible beneath engine
  • Engine misfire or rough idle

  Typically $364–$728 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With engine at operating temperature, firmly accelerate from 2000rpm and listen for a boost hiss or puffing sound from the engine bay.

  See why

  VQ30DET Intercooler Pipe Split Under Boost

  The intercooler charge pipes on the VQ30DET are connected with rubber joiners that harden and crack with age and heat cycling. A split joiner releases boost pressure under acceleration, causing a sudden flat spot and loss of turbo response. The fault is easy to diagnose as the pressure escapes with an audible hiss under hard acceleration.

  What you would notice

  • Sudden flat spot and loss of power under hard acceleration with an audible hiss from the engine bay
  • Power returning to normal immediately after releasing the throttle as the pipe reseals under reduced pressure

  Typically $150–$500 to put right.

• Common issue

  Test AC during test drive.

  See why

  Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure

  AC compressor electromagnetic clutch bearing wears causing squealing when AC is engaged. Advanced cases cause bearing seizure loading the drive belt.

  What you would notice

  • Squealing or grinding noise from engine front when AC is switched on
  • Noise stops immediately when AC is switched off, confirming compressor clutch bearing source

  Typically $400–$1,500 to put right.

Other Nissan models