The new Nissan Versa is the eighth generation of the model. It has been sold in the US since 2020 and is still not going to have any facelift or generation change in the nearest future. The model is powered by the 2-liter gas engine that has no alternatives whatever trim or version you would want to choose.
What should you know about the 2.0L Sentra engine?
This is the MR20DD engine that is not new at all. It was first used in 2010 in the Nissan Serena on some markets and then it was installed in several Nissan models including Rogue Sport in the US, X-Trail, and Qashqai in Asian markets and in Europe, and also several Renault models in Europe.
In 2020, Nissan started using this engine for the new generation of the Sentra. It’s not a bad machine, really. It looks like a decent choice in terms of displacement and power for this vehicle.
Here are some key facts you should know about it:
- this is a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine without any turbochargers, it offers 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque;
- the engine is mated to the CVT – it’s good for driving comfort but not really good for the durability of the vehicle;
- the MR20DD engine has direct injection and that’s why you will need to clean the intake valves regularly;
- both intake and exhaust camshafts have variable valve timing technologies making the engine more fuel efficient;
- the timing system is driven by the chain, the block and the head are made of aluminum making the engine pretty lightweight;
- also, this engine has the EGR system which is unusual for the gas engines of that generation;
- the engine is pretty economical – it offers 29 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on highways for the Sentra.
Great fuel economy is one of the most important advantages. This is actually why this engine is quite popular and has a lot of positive reviews and opinions. It’s also criticized for many things and I will certainly outline the most important reasons for bad reviews.
What are the common problems with the Sentra engine?
Although the engine is not bad, it comes with several pinches of salt. While for the owners of the new Sentra, these problems will not be really important, if your Nissan has already covered over 50K miles, you will obviously encounter them.
Here are the most common problems with the 2.0L Sentra engine:
1. Timing chain stretches too fast
At about 100,000 miles, you will hear some kind of rattling from the engine. This means that the timing chain is stretched and needs urgent replacement. If you don’t replace the chain, it may stretch even more and jump. In this case, it’s very likely that the valves will be bent because they will experience an unpleasant meeting with pistons.
Actually, after the timing chain jumps or breaks, there is little chance that the engine will still be repairable. Its damages may be huge and too expensive to repair, so the replacement will seem like a better solution.
2. Very weak head
If you want to save some money and change spark plugs on your own, be extremely careful. The head is very weak and you can easily break the thread or even cause some cracks in the engine head. This is especially possible when someone tightens the engine head bolts. But even when overtightening the spark plugs, this is more than possible.
This problem shows that the overall quality of the engine is not perfect. This actually shows that you can easily break something even when you are maintaining the engine or providing it with some basic repairs.
3. Intake valves are covered with carbon buildup
The direct injection system leads to problems with intake valves. These valves don’t get any chance of being washed with fuel because the gas is injected directly into the combustion chamber. So, after about 50K miles, you will need to pay for cleaning the valves.
Also, the injectors are prone to clogging and getting dirty. This affects the overall efficiency of the engine, making it lose power. Cleaning the valves is not that cheap. Sometimes, mechanics will need to take the head off the engine to do this.
4. Dirty throttle leads to bad idle
If you own the Sentra with the 2.0L engine, you will encounter unstable idling pretty often. This means that something is wrong with the throttle. While it can be an issue with a sensor, this also can mean that the throttle is just contaminated and needs cleaning.
You can clean the throttle just by using special cleaning sprays that are injected directly into the throttle body. But it’s always recommended to ask for professional help and avoid any DIY methods.
5. Oil consumption after 120,000 miles
When this engine hits 120,000 miles, it starts burning some oil. This happens because of valve seals and/or piston rings and repairing this is not really wise. Such a repair will require a huge amount of money and time, so usually Nissan owners just keep driving and adding some oil from time to time.
The problem is that the consumption is growing rapidly and one day you can just end up having the oil level much lower than the MIN mark. It means that the engine will start wearing intensively. Unfortunately, this may quickly lead to fatal engine problems.
How many miles will the MR20DD engine survive in the Sentra?
In terms of durability, this engine won’t be the leader of the market.
The engine itself will go about 160,000 miles, on average. It’s really much less than the average 2-liter naturally aspirated engine may go. After the engine hits 160K miles, the oil consumption and other problems will become unbearable. You will have two choices: replacement of the engine or rebuilding it. Rebuild will cost you a fortune and will not solve all the problems for a long time.
Also, there is another issue that shortens the longevity of the engine – the CVT. This type of transmission is not really durable and it can fail after covering about 100,000 miles. After that, replacement of the CVT is needed because these CVTs are not really repairable.
Bad maintenance may also kill the engine much faster than you think. With bad care and low attention, this 2.0L engine may fail almost at any mileage.
Can you prolong the life of the Sentra engine?
To drive your Nissan Sentra longer than average, you need to understand what exactly can fail. Now you have this information and can prevent the most common problems from happening. This is the first important thing you should do if you own this vehicle.
Here are some other important recommendations:
- change oil and all filters more often than Nissan requires in the manual;
- weekly check the oil level and try keeping it closer to the MAX mark to avoid the level dropping down;
- change the timing chain kit at about 100K miles to make sure the engine can go another 100,000 miles;
- avoid overheating – watch the engine temperature and even after minor overheating stop the vehicle immediately;
- watch the CVT’s health and repair or replace it once it fails;
- avoid using cheap aftermarket parts – better buy OEM parts and fluids for repairs and maintenance.
Although driving the new Sentra is a lot of fun, this is not a bulletproof car. The 2.0L engine seems to be OK but after it reaches 100,000 miles, it starts throwing numerous minor problems. The average lifespan of the engine is considered to be about 160,000 miles which is not a lot for such a powerplant.
I would still look at other options. The Sentra is affordable and it looks cool but the engine and transmission are not the best ones. While it’s still worth the money, I would compare it with some other vehicles of the same class and maybe choose something else.