Owners Nissan Almera Classic (also known as Nissan Almera N16 or Samsung SM3 in some countries) sooner or later they face the need to adjust the valves. This engine has a timing chain drive (QR20DE or GA16DE, depending on the modification) requires periodic checking of thermal clearances - otherwise you will face increased fuel consumption, knocking under the hood and accelerated wear of parts. Car services charge from 3 to 6 thousand rubles for this procedure, but if you have the tools and patience, you can do it yourself.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions with photos, current valve clearances Almera Classic, a list of necessary tools and critical nuances, which even experienced masters are silent about. We'll figure out when adjustments are really needed, and when valve knocking is a symptom of a more serious problem. If you have never held a dipstick or crankshaft wrench in your hands, do not worry: the process is described in as much detail as possible, taking into account typical mistakes of beginners.

When is valve adjustment needed on Almera Classic?

The manufacturer recommends checking valve clearances every 60–90 thousand km, but in practice the interval depends on operating conditions. Here are the signs that adjustment is needed: right now:

  • 🔊 Knocking or knocking from under the valve cover on a cold or hot engine (especially noticeable at idle).
  • ⚡ Power drop and “dullness” of the engine during acceleration is a sign of too large gaps (the valves do not open completely).
  • 🔥 Increased fuel consumption (by 10–15%) due to non-optimal combustion of the mixture.
  • 🚗 Vibrations or tripping engine, if the gaps are critically small (the valves are “clamped”).

Important: on Almera Classic with engine QR20DE (2.0 l) adjustment is required less frequently than on GA16DE (1.6 l), due to the design of the hydraulic compensators. But there are also nuances: for example, after replacing the timing chain, the gaps necessarily are checked even if the mileage is small.

⚠️ Attention! If valve knocking appears suddenly and is accompanied by engine overheating or oil starvation (oil pressure light is on), adjustment will not help. This could be a sign camshaft wear or breakdowns of hydraulic compensators (on QR20DE). Diagnose the engine immediately!
📊 How often do you adjust the valves on your Almera Classic?
  • Every 60 thousand km
  • Only when there's a knock
  • Never regulated
  • I do it myself once every 100 thousand km

Tools and materials for adjustment

To adjust the valves to Almera Classic, you will need:

Tool/material Purpose Notes
Set of feeler gauges (0.10–0.50 mm) Measuring gaps It's better to take flat probes in increments of 0.05 mm
Crankshaft wrench (22 or 24) Cranking the engine Can be used head + extension
10 mm socket wrench Removing the valve cover Preferably with a ratchet
Adjusting washers Replacement if gaps do not match Thickness from 2.5 to 3.5 mm, pitch 0.05 mm
Tweezers or magnet Removing the washers More convenient to use magnetic grip

Additionally useful: valve cover sealant (For example, Loctite 574), rags, WD-40 for loosening bolts, and service manual for your engine modification (can be found online). If you plan to adjust for the first time, take a video of the process - this will help you avoid getting confused during assembly.

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Before starting work mark high-voltage wires (if you remove them to access the cover). On Almera Classic they often get confused when reinstalled, which leads to misfires.

Engine preparation: step by step

Valve adjustment in progress only on a cold engine (temperature not higher than 20°C). Here's how to prepare your car:

  1. Install the car on a level surface, lock the handbrake and place chocks under the wheels.
  2. Remove the negative terminal from the battery (10 mm wrench).
  3. Remove the air duct and an air filter box for access to the valve cover.
  4. Disconnect the throttle cable and sensor connectors (for example, camshaft position sensor).
  5. Remove the valve coverby unscrewing 8 bolts (10 mm wrench). Be careful - there may be oil residue underneath!

Now you need to set 1st cylinder piston at TDC (top dead center) on the compression stroke. To do this:

  1. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise (22 mm wrench) until the mark on the pulley aligns with the mark on the front cover.
  2. Check that the mark is on camshaft (gear) matches the mark on the block head.
  3. Make sure cams of the 1st cylinder (the first from the radiator) look up, and the rocker arms swing freely.
⚠️ Attention! On Almera Classic with engine GA16DE TDC marks may be less noticeable due to wear. When in doubt, use strobe or check the position of the piston through the spark plug hole (unscrew the spark plug and insert a screwdriver - it should be in the upper position).

Battery terminal removed|Valve cover removed|Piston of cylinder 1 at TDC|Camshaft and crankshaft marks match|Tools and washers at hand-->

Nominal valve clearances for Almera Classic

Gaps on Almera Classic vary depending on engine and temperature. Here are the current data for the most common motors:

Engine Valve type Clearance (cold engine) Gap (hot engine)
GA16DE (1.6 l) Intake 0.20–0.30 mm 0.25–0.35 mm
GA16DE (1.6 l) Graduation 0.30–0.40 mm 0.35–0.45 mm
QR20DE (2.0 l) Intake 0.25–0.35 mm 0.30–0.40 mm
QR20DE (2.0 l) Graduation 0.35–0.45 mm 0.40–0.50 mm

Critical point: on Almera Classic with GA16DE intake and exhaust valve clearances different, and on QR20DE they may float a little due to the hydraulic compensators. If your engine troit After adjustment, check the gaps again - perhaps one of the washers is installed incorrectly.

To measure use set of probes:

  1. Insert the dipstick between camshaft cam And adjusting washer.
  2. The optimal clearance is when the feeler gauge passes with light effort (does not get stuck or loose).
  3. If the gap is not within specification, write down its value and calculate the thickness of the new washer.

How to calculate the thickness of a new washer?

Formula for Almera Classic:

New washer thickness = Old washer thickness + (Actual clearance - Nominal clearance)

Example: if the old washer is 3.0 mm, the actual gap is 0.45 mm, and the nominal gap is 0.30 mm, then:

3.0 + (0.45 – 0.30) = 3.15 mm

Round to the nearest standard size (3.15 or 3.20 mm).

Step by step valve adjustment

The adjustment process is the same for both engines (GA16DE And QR20DE), but there are nuances with the order of the cylinders. Let's start with 1st cylinder (radiator side):

  1. Check clearances intake and exhaust valves of the 1st cylinder (cams pointing upward).
  2. If the gap is not correct:
    • Press the valve tappet with a special tool (or two screwdrivers).
    • Secure it in the down position by inserting a clamp (or thin wedge).
    • Using tweezers or a magnet, remove the old washer and install the new one.
  • Rotate the crankshaft 180° (half a turn) and adjust the valves 3rd cylinder.
  • Another 180° turn - adjust 4th cylinder.
  • Last 180° turn - 2nd cylinder.

    • After adjusting all valves:

    • 🔧 Put it in place valve cover (don't forget about the sealant!).
    • 🔌 Connect all connectors and throttle cable.
    • 🚗 Start the engine and check the idle speed - there should be no knocking.
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    On Almera Classic with QR20DE after adjusting the valves be sure to reset the throttle adaptations. To do this, disconnect the battery for 10 minutes or use a diagnostic scanner (for example, ELM327).

    Common mistakes and how to avoid them

    Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when adjusting valves on Almera Classic. Here are the most common:

    • ❌ Incorrect adjustment order. For example, they start with the 2nd cylinder instead of the 1st. This leads to uneven gaps and knocking after assembly.
    • ❌ Use by eye. The probe should pass with slight effort - if it slips too easily, the gap is too big.
    • ❌ They forget about the TDC marks. If the crankshaft is not aligned correctly, the valves will be adjusted in the wrong position.
    • ❌ Tighten the valve cover bolts. This leads to oil leaks or deformation of the cover.
    • ❌ Do not check clearances after replacing timing chain. The new chain may shift the phases slightly and the gaps will change.

    Another common problem is confusion with washers. On Almera Classic washers for intake and exhaust valves different in thickness. If they are mixed up, the engine will run unevenly. To avoid this, mark the washers when extracting (for example, with a marker: “B1” - inlet of the 1st cylinder).

    ⚠️ Attention! If after adjustment the engine troit or stalls at idle, check:
    • Are all sensors connected (especially camshaft position sensor).
    • Are the high-voltage wires mixed up?
    • Has debris gotten into the valve cover (may block the oil passages).

    What to do if valve knocking persists?

    If the knocking does not disappear after adjustment, the following reasons are possible:

    1. Incorrectly measured gaps. Repeat the test with new probes (sometimes cheap probes give an error).
    2. Worn camshafts or tappets. On Almera Classic with mileage >200 thousand km this is not uncommon. Check the camshaft play - if there is any, the cylinder head will need to be repaired.
    3. Problems with hydraulic compensators (on QR20DE). They can jam due to dirty oil. Try flushing the system with a special additive (for example, Liqui Moly Hydro-Stossel-Additiv).
    4. Timing chain malfunction. If the chain is stretched, the TDC marks will get lost and the gaps will “go away”. Check the chain tensioner.

    If you are sure that the adjustment has been made correctly, but the knocking noise remains, record sound on video and compare with reference recordings (there are many of them on YouTube upon request "Almera Classic valve knock"). Sometimes it is not the valves that knock, but, for example, injectors or timing drive rollers.

    • 🔧 Valve cover - knocking valves.
    • 🔧 Cylinder block - knocking of fingers or connecting rods.
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    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about valve adjustment

    Is it possible to adjust valves on a hot engine?

    No, this will lead to incorrect clearances. When heated, the metal expands and the gaps decrease. On Almera Classic adjustment is in progress only on a cold engine (temperature not higher than 20°C). If the engine is warm, allow it to cool for 2-3 hours.

    How long does the adjustment take?

    For the first time the process may take 3–5 hours (taking into account preparation and checks). Experienced craftsmen handle 1.5–2 hours. The main thing is to take your time, especially when measuring gaps and installing washers.

    What washers should I buy for Almera Classic?

    For GA16DE And QR20DE Suitable washers thickness from 2.5 to 3.5 mm in increments of 0.05 mm. It's better to take the original ones (Nissan 13070-4M000) or high-quality analogues (Ajusa, Nipparts). Don't skimp on washers - cheap ones can become deformed over time.

    Do I need to change the oil after adjustment?

    Not required, but recommended if:

    • The oil is old (mileage >5 thousand km after replacement).
    • Dirt or sealant got into the engine when the cover was removed.
    • Did you adjust the valves due to oil starvation (for example, the pressure lamp was on).

    If the oil is clean, just add it to the level.

    Is it possible to drive with knocking valves?

    Short-term (up to 1-2 weeks) - yes, but this leads to:

    • 🔥 Accelerated wear camshafts and tappets.
    • ⚡ Increased fuel consumption (up to 15%).
    • 🚗 Loss of power and unstable engine operation.

    If the knock is strong, you take a risk burn out the valve or damage the saddle. Don't delay adjustments!