Nissan Sunny is a legendary Japanese car that is still popular today due to its reliability and ease of maintenance. However, even the most durable engines have weak points, and one of them is valve cover. This seemingly insignificant detail can become a source of serious problems: from oil leaks to dirt getting into the gas distribution mechanism.

In this article we will look at why the valve cover Nissan Sunny (especially models B13, B14, B15 with engines GA14DE, GA16DE, SR20DE) requires special attention, how to diagnose its malfunctions and what to do if you find oil leaks under the hood. You will also find out what original and similar spare parts It’s better to choose, and get step-by-step instructions for replacement - with nuances that are not written about in standard manuals.

Why do you need a valve cover and how does it work?

Valve cover (aka valve cover or valve cover) is a protective element that covers the upper part of the cylinder head (cylinder head). Its main functions:

  • 🛡️ Timing mechanism protection from dust, dirt and moisture. Without a cover, the timing belt/chain, rockers and valves will quickly fail.
  • 💧 Prevent oil leakage. The oil filler neck and breather pass through the cover, and its tightness is ensured by the gasket.
  • 🔧 Ease of maintenance. The cover allows you to quickly access the valves for adjusting clearances or replacing seals.

On Nissan Sunny The valve covers are usually made of aluminum alloy (less commonly plastic on later models). Inside it are located:

  • 🔩 Threaded holes for mounting with bolts (usually 8–12 pieces, depending on the engine).
  • 🧯 Oil deflectors (on some versions) - prevent oil from entering the breather.
  • 🔗 Fastenings for high-voltage wires (on models with distributor).

Feature Sunny - frequent oxidation of cover bolts due to temperature changes and aggressive environment under the hood. This complicates dismantling when replacing the gasket.

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If the valve cover bolts on your Sunny covered with a white coating, before unscrewing, treat them with a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40) and let stand for 10-15 minutes. This will reduce the risk of thread stripping.

Signs of a problem: when is it time to replace the cap or gasket

The most common problem is oil leak from under the lid. But there are other symptoms that cannot be ignored:

  • 🛢️ Oil stains under the car (especially after a long stay). Most often, oil leaks in the area front part of the cylinder head or near the oil filler neck.
  • 💨 Oily spark plugs. If oil gets into the spark plug wells, this leads to misfires and engine misfiring.
  • 🔥 Smoke from under the hood. If the leak is severe, oil may drip onto the exhaust manifold, causing a burning smell.
  • 🛑 Oil level drop no visible leaks under the car (oil goes into the pan through the breather).

On Nissan Sunny with engines GA16DE And SR20DE Another common problem is deformation of the lid itself. Due to overheating or poor-quality material, it can “lead,” which leads to an uneven fit of the gasket and, as a result, leaks.

⚠️ Attention: If you notice oil on the timing belt, fix the leak immediately! Oil getting on the belt leads to its slipping and the risk of breakage, which can lead to SR20DE is fraught with bending of valves.
Symptom Probable Cause Urgency of repair
Oil on spark plug wells Worn cover gasket or spark plug seals ⭐⭐⭐ (high risk of misfire)
Oil leaks on the sides of the cylinder head Crack in cover or gasket ⭐⭐ (average, but requires attention)
Oil in the air duct from the breather Clogged breather or worn oil deflectors ⭐⭐⭐ (risk of increased oil consumption)
Rough engine idle Oil in spark plug wells → misfires ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (critical)
📊 What engine is installed on your Nissan Sunny?
  • GA14DE
  • GA16DE
  • SR20DE
  • Other (write in comments)
  • I don't know

Selection of spare parts: original vs analogues

When replacing a valve cover or its gasket, the main thing is not to run into a fake. Original parts from Nissan have articles:

  • 🔧 Valve cover (aluminum, for GA16DE): 13210-4M000 or 13210-4M001.
  • 🔧 Valve cover gasket: 13270-4M000 (rubber) or 13270-4M010 (silicone).
  • 🔧 Fastening bolts (set): 13235-4M000.

The cost of original parts is high (cover - from 8,000 ₽, gasket - from 1,500 ₽), so many owners Sunny choose analogues.among them:

Manufacturer Article Price (≈) Features
Ajusa (Spain) 11035200 800 ₽ High-quality rubber gasket, but can harden in the cold.
Elring (Germany) 725.140 1 200 ₽ Silicone, durable, suitable for extreme temperatures.
Fel-Pro (USA) VS 50476 R 1 500 ₽ Original quality, but rarely found in Russia.
Nipparts (Japan) N5110510 900 ₽ A good budget option, but check the packaging for authenticity.

Critical moment: on engines SR20DE After 2000, the original valve cover gasket has a reinforced silicone coating. Analogues (even branded ones) often do not have it, which leads to repeated leaks after 20–30 thousand km.

When purchasing valve covers, pay attention to:

  • 🔍 Material: Aluminum is preferable to plastic (plastic can become deformed when heated).
  • 📏 Metal thickness: Thin-walled covers (less than 3 mm) often “lead.”
  • 🧲 Complete set: The original kit should include new bolts and breather gasket.
How to distinguish a fake gasket from the original?

Fake gaskets usually have:

- Strong chemical smell (the original smells like rubber/silicone).

- Rough edges or burrs.

- Lack of manufacturer's logo on the surface.

- The price is too low (below 500 ₽ for the “original”).

Step-by-step instructions for replacing valve covers

Replacing the valve cover with Nissan Sunny - a task of medium complexity. Even a beginner can handle it with the tools and patience. You will need:

  • 🔧 Set of heads and socket wrenches (10 mm, 12 mm).
  • 🔧 A screwdriver with a flat blade (for prying off the old gasket).
  • 🔧 Torque wrench (optional, but recommended).
  • 🧴Sealant Loctite 574 or Permatex Ultra Black.
  • 🧻 Rags, solvent (for example, White spirit).

Opening hours: 2–3 hours (excluding time for cleaning and waiting for sealant).

Remove the negative terminal from the battery|Clean the surface of the cylinder head from oil and dirt|Prepare new bolts (old ones may be deformed)|Check the presence of all parts in the kit-->

Step 1: Removing the old cover

1. Remove air filter and a pipe from the throttle valve (on GA16DE You may also need to remove throttle cable).

2. Disconnect high voltage wires (remember their order or take a photo!). On SR20DE remove first ignition coils.

3. Unscrew the cover bolts in reverse order (from the edges to the center) to avoid deformation. On Sunny B14 bolts often “stick” - do not apply excessive force, it is better to use a penetrating lubricant.

Step 2: Cleaning Surfaces

1. Remove the old gasket. If she got stuck, carefully pry it off with a screwdriver, but do not scratch the surface of the cylinder head!

2. Clean the cylinder head and cover from residual sealant and oil. Use wire brush (careful!) or a plastic scraper. Prohibited use sandpaper - it will ruin the plane!

3. Wipe surfaces White spirit and dry with compressed air.

⚠️ Attention: If there are deep scratches or dents on the surface of the cylinder head, the cover will not seal properly. In this case, grinding of the plane will be required (it is better to entrust this to specialists).

Step 3: Install New Gasket and Cap

1. Apply a thin layer of sealant to cylinder head angles and joints (do not overdo it - excess may get into the oil!).

2. Place a new gasket, aligning the holes. On SR20DE The gasket has an asymmetrical shape - do not mix up the sides!

3. Install the cover and tighten the bolts in 3 stages:

  • ⚙️ First pass: tighten all bolts by hand.
  • ⚙️Second pass: Tighten firmly with a torque wrench 5–7 Nm.
  • ⚙️ Third pass: final tightening 10–12 Nm (for aluminum covers).

4. Connect all pipes and wires in the reverse order. Start the engine and check for leaks.

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After replacing the valve cover gasket with Nissan Sunny For the first 100 km, avoid high speeds (more than 3,000 rpm) - this will allow the sealant to polymerize evenly.

Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to repeated leaks or damage to parts. Here are the most common:

  • 🔧 Bolt tightening. This will distort the cap or gasket. On Sunny with aluminum cylinder head maximum force - 12 Nm.
  • 🧴 Excess sealant. It may get into the oil or clog the breather. Apply sealant only at the joints, and not over the entire surface!
  • 🔄 Reusing Bolts. Valve cover bolts - disposable! When tightened, they stretch, and repeated use results in understretching.
  • 🧹 Dirty cylinder head surface. Even small particles of dust will break the seal. Clean the surface White spirit, not gasoline!

Another typical problem is Incorrect bolt tightening sequence. On Nissan Sunny she must be cruciform, starting from the center:



4 —— 2 —— 5


|     |     |


8 —— 1 —— 3


|     |     |


7 —— 9 —— 6

Violation of this pattern leads to misalignment of the lid and leaks in the corners.

⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the gasket the engine starts to stall, check to see if the sealant has gotten into the spark plug wells. This is a common mistake when working with GA16DE, where the wells are located close to the cover.

Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Sunny valve cover

Is it possible to drive with an oil leak from the valve cover?

Short-term - yes, but it is fraught with consequences:

  • 🔥 Risk of fire if oil gets into the exhaust manifold.
  • 💀 Oil getting into the spark plug wells → misfires and damage to the catalyst.
  • 💧 Drop in oil level → engine oil starvation.

On SR20DE a leak is especially dangerous due to the risk of oil getting onto the timing belt.

How often should the valve cover gasket be replaced?

Regulatory period - every 100,000 km, but in practice it depends on the conditions:

  • 🌡️ In hot climates or with frequent overheating - every 60,000–80,000 km.
  • ❄️ In cold weather (below -30°C), the rubber gasket becomes dull and cracks faster.
  • 🚗 When driving aggressively (high speeds) - check the condition of the gasket every 50,000 km.
What are the differences between gaskets for GA16DE and SR20DE?

Main differences:

Parameter GA16DE SR20DE
Material Rubber or silicone Silicone only (reinforced)
Thickness 2.5–3 mm 3.5–4 mm
Number of bolts 10 12
Availability of oil deflectors No Yes (built into the lid)

Gaskets not interchangeable!

Can I use sealant instead of gasket?

No! Sealant - only addition to the gasket, but not replacing it. On Nissan Sunny attempting to install a cover on one sealant will result in:

  • 🔧 Rapid destruction of sealant from vibrations.
  • 💧 Oil leaks after 1,000–2,000 km.
  • 🔥 Risk of sealant getting into oil channels.

An exception is temporary repairs in the field, but only using anaerobic sealant (For example, Loctite 518).

Why didn't the leak go away after replacing the gasket?

Possible reasons:

  • 🔧 The cover is deformed - check its evenness with a ruler.
  • 🧯 Clogged breather — excess pressure squeezes out the oil.
  • 🛠️ Incorrect bolt tightening (misalignment or shortness).
  • 🔥 The cylinder head plane is damaged (requires sanding).
  • 💧 Leaking from another gasket (for example, camshaft).

On GA16DE a common problem is a crack in the cover itself near oil filler neck. Examine it with a magnifying glass.