Nissan CD20

Nissan CD20The Nissan CD20 is a 2.0 l (1,974 cc, 120.45 cu.in) straight four, water-cooled naturally aspirated diesel engine from Nissan CD family. The engine was used on Nissan mid-size models from 1991 to 2000

The CD20 has a cast-iron cylinder block, an aluminum cylinder head with SOHC (Single overhead camshaft) with two valves per cylinder.

The Nissan CD20 compression ratio is 22.2:1. Cylinder bore and piston stroke are 84.5 mm (3.33 in) and 88.0 mm (3.46 in), respectively. The CD20 produced 75 PS (55 kW; 74 HP) at 4,500 rpm of horsepower and 132 Nm (13.5 kg⋅m, 97 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm of torque.

The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:

  • CD – Engine Family
  • 20 – 2.0 Liter Displacement

General information

Engine Specifications
Engine code CD20
Layout Straight-4, vertical
Fuel type Diesel
Production 1991-2000
Displacement 2.0L, 1,974 cc (120.45 cu in)
Injection pump Fuel injection pump
Power adder none
Max. Horsepower 105 PS (77 kW; 103 HP) at 6,000 rpm
Torque output 132 N⋅m (13.5 kg⋅m, 97 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Dimensions (L x H x W):
Weight 180.0 kg (396.8 lbs)

Cylinder block

The Nissan CD20 motor has a cast-iron cylinder block with five-bearings supported system and an aluminum alloy piston for high strength, lightweight and good heat conductivity; three compression and two oil control rings. The cylinder bore is 84.5 mm (3.33 in), piston stroke is 88.0 mm (3.46 in) and compression ratio rating is 22.2:1.

Cylinder block
Cylinder block alloy Cast iron
Compression ratio: 22.2:1
Cylinder bore: 84.5 mm (3.329 in)
Piston stroke: 88.0 mm (3.465 in)
Number of piston rings (compression / oil): 2 / 1
Number of main bearings: 5
Cylinder inner diameter: 84.500-54.510 mm (3.3268-3.3272 in)
Piston skirt diameter 84.465-84.475 mm (3.3254-3.3258 in)
Piston ring side clearance: Top 0.060-0.095 mm (0.0024-0.0037 in)
Second 0.040-0.075 mm (0.0016-0.0030 in)
Oil 0.030-0.070 mm (0.0012-0.0028 in)
Piston ring end gap: Top 0.20-0.30 mm (0.0079-0.0118 in)
Second 0.38-0.53 mm (0.0150-0.0209 in)
Oil 0.30-0.55 mm (0.0118-0.0217 in)
Piston pin outer diameter 24.994-25.000 mm (0.9840-0.9843 in)
Piston pin hole diameter 24.991-24.999 mm (0.9839-0.9842 in)
Crankshaft main journal diameter: 52.967-52.975 mm (2.0853-2.0856 in)
Crankpin diameter: 49.968-49.974 mm (1.9672-1.9675 in)
Crankshaft center distance: 44.000 mm (1.7322 in)

Main bearing cap bolts tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • 76-78 Nm; 7.8-8.0 kg·m; 56-58 ft·lb

After securing bearing cap bolts, make sure crankshaft turns smoothly by hand.

Connecting rod bearing nut

  • Step 1: 14-16 Nm; 1.4-1.6 kg·m; 10-11 ft·lb
  • Step 2: Turn nuts 60-65° or 37-45 Nm; 3.8-4.6 kg·m; 27-33 ft·lb

Crankshaft pulley

  • 142-152 Nm; 14.5-15.5 kg·m; 105-112 ft·lb

Flywheel fixing bolts

  • 83-93 Nm; 8.5-9.5 kg·m; 61-69 ft·lb

Cylinder head

The engine has SOHC design with a single camshaft and two valves per cylinder. The camshaft is driven from the crankshaft by a timing belt, the injection pump is also driven by a belt. Intake valves are 39 mm (1.53 in) in diameter, and the exhaust valves are 32 mm (1.26 in). The CD20 engine uses two valve springs. For engines of different production years, the cylinder heads could be different.

Cylinder head (Almera N15 specs)
Block head alloy Aluminium
Valve Arrangement: SOHC, belt drive
Valves: 8 (2 valves per cylinder)
Valve head diameter: INTAKE 39.0-39.3 mm (1.535-1.547 in)
EXHAUST 32.0-32.3 mm (1.260-1.272 in)
Valve length: INTAKE 100.53-100.97 mm (3.9579-3.9752 in)
EXHAUST 100.38-100.82 mm (3.9520-3.9693 in)
Valve stem diameter: INTAKE 6.965-6.980 mm (0.2742-0.2748 in)
EXHAUST 6.945-6.960 mm (0.2734-0.2740 in)
Valve spring free length: INTAKE Inner: 43.2 mm (1.701 in)
Outer: 38.2 mm (1.504 in)
EXHAUST Inner: 43.2 mm (1.701 in)
Outer: 38.2 mm (1.504 in)
Camshaft cam height: INTAKE 49.20-49.25 mm (1.9370-1.9390 in)
EXHAUST 49.15-49.20 mm (1.9350-1.9370 in)
Camshaft journal diameter: 29.935-29.955 mm (1.1785 – 1.1793 in)

Head tightening procedure and torque specs:

  • Step 1: 39 Nm; 4.0 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
  • Step 2: 83-93 Nm; 8.5-9.5 kg·m; 61-68 ft·lb
  • Step 3: Turn all bolts 180-190°
  • Step 4: Loosen all bolts completely
  • Step 5: 39 Nm; 4.0 kg·m; 29 ft·lb
  • Step 6: Turn all bolts 75-80°

Camshaft-bracket nuts

  • 18-22 Nm; 1.8-2.2 kg·m; 13-16 ft·lb

Cramshaft sprocket

  • Front: 87-107 Nm; 8.9-10.9 kg·m; 64-79 ft·lb
  • Rear: 87-107 Nm; 8.9-10.9 kg·m; 64-79 ft·lb

Injection pump sprocket

  • 59-69 Nm; 6.0-7.0 kg·m; 43-51 ft·lb

Maintenance data

Valve clearance (HOT)
Intake valve 0.25-0.35 mm (0.010-0.014 in)
Exhaust valve 0.39-0.049 mm (0.015-0.019 in)
Compression pressure
Standard 32 kg/cm2 (31.4 bar, 455 psi) / 200 rpm
Minimun 25 kg/cm2 (24.5 bar, 356 psi) / 200 rpm
Compression differential limit between cylinders 5 kg/cm2 (4.9 bar, 71 psi) / 200 rpm
Oil system
Recommended engine oil API-CD
SAE Viscosity Number For cold and warm areas: 10W-30
For hot areas: 20W-40 and 20W-50
Engine oil capacity With oil filter: 5.0 l
Without oil filter: 4.5 l

Vehicle applications

Model Years Produced
Nissan Serena C23 1991–1993
Nissan Avenir Cargo W10 1990–1998
Nissan Sunny B14 1994–1998
Nissan Pulsar N15 1995–1999
Nissan Wingroad Y10 1996–1999
Nissan Almera N15 1995–2000
Nissan Primera P10 1992–1995
Nissan AD Y10 1997–1999
Author: Sergei Wers
About: Co-founder and CEO of a multi-brand auto repair shop (engine repair, chassis repair, body repair and painting) for over 15 years. I have been developing internet sites with technical specifications for more than seven years.

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