Replacing the valve cover gasket on a Nissan Almera Classic: a detailed guide

Nissan Almera Classic (also known as Nissan Almera N16 in Europe) is a popular sedan with a reliable engine QR20DE (2.0 l) or QG15DE/QG18DE (1.5/1.8 l). One of the common problems with these motors is oil leak from under the valve covercaused by gasket wear. If you ignore this malfunction, oil will get onto the timing belt, spark plugs or exhaust manifold, which can lead to a fire under the hood or a broken timing belt with bent valves.

In this article we will look at how to replace the valve cover gasket yourself Almera Classicwithout resorting to the services of a service station. Let's look at the signs of a malfunction, the choice of original and analog spare parts, as well as the nuances of the process for different engine versions. If you have never repaired an engine, don’t worry: even beginners can do the task if they follow the instructions.

Signs of valve cover gasket wear

The first signal that the gasket requires replacement is oil smudges on the cylinder block or head. But there are other symptoms that are often ignored:

• 🔥 Burning smell from under the hood after a trip (oil drips onto the exhaust manifold).
• 💧 Oil in spark plug wells (visible when unscrewing the spark plugs).
• 🛢️ Constantly decreasing oil level between replacements (no visible leaks under the car).
• 🔧 Oiling the timing belt (critical for engines with a chain QR20DEwhere the circuit is sensitive to contamination).

On Almera Classic with engine QG18DE leaks often appear in the area rear of valve coverwhere the gasket contacts the camshaft. On QR20DE Oil can leak over the entire cover area due to more bolts and more complex seal geometry.

⚠️ Attention: If traces of oil are visible on the timing belt or pulleys, replacing the gasket must be combined with cleaning the belt and checking its condition. Oil corrodes the rubber of the belt, reducing its service life by 30–50%.

How to check that it is the gasket that is leaking and not the camshaft seal? Wipe the cover dry and inspect it again after 200–300 km. If the oil appears cover perimeter - the gasket is at fault. If the leak is localized at the camshaft pulley, the problem is in the oil seal.

Gasket selection: original vs analogues

Original valve cover gasket for Nissan Almera Classic has an article number 13270-4M000 (for QG18DE) or 13270-95X00 (for QR20DE). Cost - from 1,200 to 1,800 rubles. But many owners prefer analogues, which are cheaper and sometimes even more reliable.

Brand	Article	Price (RUB)	Features
Nissan (original)	13270-4M000	1 500–1 800	Soft rubber, perfect fit, but can harden in the cold
Elring	725.170	800–1 000	Reinforced material, suitable for extreme temperatures
Victor Reinz	71-33583-00	900–1 200	New cover bolts included (recommended for QR20DE)
Ajusa	13144200	600–800	Budget option, but may require trimming corners

When choosing an analogue, pay attention to gasket material:

• 🟢 Rubber - soft, but loses elasticity over time (original Nissan).
• 🟡 Silicone - more durable, but may require sealant during installation (Elring).
• 🔴 Cork - rare, not recommended for Almera Classic due to the risk of leakage.

⚠️ Attention: If you buy a non-original gasket, check availability thrust washers under the cover bolts. On QR20DE their absence leads to distortion of the lid and repeated leakage.

Also, new ones are often included with the gasket. fastening bolts (article 11026-4M000). It is recommended to replace them, as old bolts may be deformed or have broken threads.

Tools and preparation for replacement

To replace the valve cover gasket with Nissan Almera Classic you will need:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and ratchet wrench (size 10 mm for cover bolts).
• 🔨 Flat screwdriver (for removing pipe clamps).
• 🧴Sealant Loctite 574 or ABRO 999 (only for joints, not throughout the entire gasket!).
• 🧻 Lint-free wipes and solvent (White spirit or Gasoline Galosh).
• 🔩 Torque wrench (optional, but recommended for cover bolts).

Also prepare your workplace:

1. Place the car on a flat surface and lock the handbrake.
2. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery (to avoid short circuits when working with sensors).
3. Allow the engine to cool (working on a hot engine is dangerous due to the risk of burns and deformation of the cover).

On engines QR20DE additionally need to be removed intake manifold, as it blocks access to the rear cover bolts. On QG18DE It is not necessary to remove the collector, but you will have to disconnect it throttle cable And crankcase ventilation pipe.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the gasket

Valve cover gasket replacement process Almera Classic takes 2–3 hours. The main thing is to take your time and follow the sequence:

1. Removing the valve cover

Start by removing all interfering elements:

1. Remove decorative engine cover (if any).
2. Disconnect crankcase ventilation pipe (the clamps can be loosened with a flat screwdriver).
3. On QR20DE remove intake manifold (4 bolts per 10 mm and 2 nuts on 12 mm).
4. Unscrew ignition coils (2 bolts each) and set them aside along with the high-voltage wires.
5. Gently disconnect sensor connectors (camshaft position sensor, knock sensor).

Now you can unscrew the lid itself. Unscrew the bolts diagonally, starting from the edges to avoid deformation. On QG18DE 12 bolts, per QR20DE — 15. After removing the last bolt, pry up the cover with a flat-head screwdriver (be careful not to damage the seats!).

2. Cleaning surfaces

This is the most important stage! Even a new gasket will leak if old oil or particles from the old gasket remain on the cylinder head or cover. Proceed like this:

• 🧽 Remove the old gasket and clean the grooves from its remnants (you can use a plastic scraper).
• 🧴 Wipe the surface of the block head White spirit or Gasoline Galosh. Do not use acetone - it corrodes aluminum!
• 🔍 Check the head for scoring or corrosion. If there are deep scratches, sanding will be required.
• 🧴 Apply a thin layer of sealant only at the joints of half rings (not along the entire gasket!).

⚠️ Attention: On engines QR20DE in the area 1st and 4th cylinders Oil often accumulates in the grooves. If it is not removed, the new gasket will be pushed out by the pressure when starting the engine.

3. Installing a new gasket

Before installation, check:

• 🔍 Do they match? bolt holes on the gasket and cover.
• 🔧Are you there? thrust washers under the bolts (if there are none, install new ones).
• 🧴 Is it on the gasket? factory defect (ruptures, rubber sagging).

Place the gasket carefully, without distortion. Then install the cover and tighten the bolts in 2 stages:

1. First pass: tighten all bolts by hand (without effort).
2. Second pass: use a torque wrench with force 8–10 Nm (for QG18DE) or 10–12 Nm (for QR20DE).

Tightening diagram - from the center to the edges (as in the picture below). If you don't have a torque wrench, tighten the bolts evenlyto avoid skew.

Valve cover bolt tightening diagram

The bolts are tightened in the following order (for QG18DE and QR20DE):

1. Central bolts (2 pcs.)

2. Bolts diagonally from the center (4 pcs.)

3. End bolts (others)

This prevents the lid from deforming and ensures that the gasket fits evenly.

4. Assembly and testing

After installing the cover, reassemble everything in reverse order:

1. Connect the sensors and pipes.
2. Install the ignition coils (check the condition of the high-voltage wires!).
3. On QR20DE put the intake manifold back in place.
4. Connect the battery terminal.

Start the engine and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. Then check:

• 🔍 Isn't it oil leaks around the perimeter of the lid.
• 🔧 Haven't they appeared? extraneous noise (may indicate incorrect coil installation).
• 💨 Isn't it smoke from under the hood (a sign of oil getting into the manifold).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing the valve cover gasket with Nissan Almera Classic. Here are the most common:

• 🔧 Bolt tightening — leads to deformation of the cover or breakage of bolts. Always use a torque wrench!
• 🧴 Excess sealant - sealant must be applied only at the joints of half rings, and not along the entire gasket. Otherwise it will clog the oil channels.
• 🔍 Ignoring surface cleaning - even small particles of an old gasket or oil will lead to a repeated leak.
• 🔩 Reusing old bolts — the cover bolts are disposable! Their threads become deformed when tightened.

Another common problem is cover distortion when tightening. This happens if the bolts are not tightened according to the pattern, but chaotically. On QR20DE misalignment can lead to lid crack (it is made of aluminum and is fragile).

If the gasket leaks again after replacement, check:

• 🔧 Correct tightening of the bolts (perhaps some bolt is not tightened enough).
• 🧴 Quality of the gasket (cheap analogues can dull in the cold).
• 🔥 Condition of the block head (may need grinding).

When is valve cover replacement required?

Sometimes an oil leak is caused not by the gasket, but by deformation or crack of the cover itself. This is true for engines QR20DE, where the lid is made of aluminum and may warp over time due to overheating.

Signs that the cover needs replacing:

• 🔍 Visible cracks or dents on the surface of the cover.
• 🧲 Cover does not fit smoothly to the block head (checked with a ruler).
• 🔥 Repeated oil leak immediately after replacing the gasket.

Original cover for Almera Classic has an article number 13271-4M000 (QG18DE) or 13271-95X00 (QR20DE). Cost - from 4,000 to 6,000 rubles. Analogs (for example, Febi or Dello) will cost less, but the casting quality may be worse.

If the cover is slightly deformed, it can be sand on the machine. But this is a temporary solution - after 10–20 thousand km the problem will return.

Frequently asked questions about replacing the valve cover gasket

Is it possible to drive with a leaking valve cover gasket?

Short-term - yes, but the risks are high:

• Oil may get on timing belt, which will lead to its breakage and bending of the valves.
• On QR20DE oil often leaks exhaust manifold, which is fraught with fire.
• If there is a severe leak, the oil level will drop, which will lead to oil starvation engine.

If the leak is small (a few drops a day), you can go to a service station, but it is better not to delay repairs.

Do I need to use sealant when replacing the gasket?

Depends on the type of gasket:

• For rubber gaskets (original Nissan) sealant not needed - they fit tightly.
• For silicone (Elring) you can apply a thin layer of sealant only at the joints of half rings.
• If the block head has unevenness, sealant is required.

Never apply sealant over the entire surface — it will clog the oil channels!

How often should the valve cover gasket be replaced?

The service life of the gasket depends on the operating conditions:

• 🚗 B urban mode (frequent warm-ups/stops) — every 60–80 thousand km.
• 🛣️ When long trips (constant load) - every 100–120 thousand km.
• ❄️ B cold climate The gasket rubber hardens faster - check the condition every 50 thousand km.

On QR20DE The gasket wears out faster due to the higher operating temperature of the engine.

Is it possible to replace the gasket without removing the intake manifold on a QR20DE?

Technically you can, but this is extremely inconvenient:

• Access to the rear cover bolts will be limited - you will have to work “by touch”.
• Risk of breaking the bolt or warping the cover increases 2–3 times.
• If the collector is not removed, it is impossible to clean the head surface.

We recommend spending an extra 20-30 minutes and removing the manifold - this will save time and nerves.

What should I do if after replacement the gasket leaks again?

Reasons for repeated leakage:

1. Incorrect bolt tightening (misalignment or insufficient force).
2. Gasket defect (especially with cheap analogues).
3. Dirty head surface (remains of an old gasket or oil).
4. Cover deformation (needs replacement or grinding).

Solution: disassemble everything again, clean the surfaces and install new gasket (preferably original).