Nissan Almera 1.8 MR18DE (2007): Valve Cover Gasket Replacement

Part numbers are from the manufacturer's original catalogue. Check them against your VIN before ordering.

• socket set with ratchet (8, 10, 12 mm)
• extension
• low-range torque wrench (N·m)
• screwdriver
• plastic scraper
• degreaser
• clean rags
• oil drain pan

1. Let the engine cool down and disconnect the negative battery terminal. Remove the plastic decorative engine cover, if fitted.
2. For access, remove or move aside anything in the way: the air intake duct and air filter hose, and the crankcase ventilation (blow-by, PCV) hoses from the cover. Label the hoses and cables or take photos.
3. Disconnect the ignition coil connectors and remove the coils. Do not drop or disassemble them. Move the wiring harness aside and remove the harness brackets from the cover.
4. Blow out or clean the dirt from the spark plug wells so it does not fall into the engine.
5. Loosen the cover bolts evenly in several passes, working from the edges toward the center, which is the reverse of the tightening sequence. Remove the cover.
6. Pull the old gasket out of the cover groove. Do not reuse it. Also replace the old spark plug tube seals and the PCV valve O-ring with new ones.
7. Thoroughly clean and degrease the cylinder head mating surface and the cover groove. Make sure that remnants of old sealant and dirt do not fall into the engine. Cover the oil passages and wells with a rag.
8. Factory sealant may be required at the cover joints (the areas near the ends and around the camshaft half-circles). Check the exact application points and the sealant type for the MR18DE against the manufacturer's service manual. If sealant is needed, install the cover right away, before the sealant sets.
9. Fit the new gasket into the cover groove and make sure it is seated along the entire perimeter and cannot fall out. Place the cover on the cylinder head.
10. Tighten the cover bolts with a torque wrench in two stages, working from the center toward the edges. For engines of this family the torque is very low: about 2 N·m (1.5 lb-ft) in the first stage and about 8-9 N·m (6-7 lb-ft) in the second. These are approximate values, so check the exact figures for the MR18DE against the manufacturer's service manual. Do not tighten by feel, to avoid stripping the threads or crushing the gasket.
11. Reinstall the harness brackets, ignition coils, connectors, crankcase ventilation hoses, air intake duct and decorative cover. Reconnect the battery.
12. Start the engine, warm it up to operating temperature and check for oil seepage along the cover joint. Inspect the cover again after a day.

• Do not let dirt, pieces of the old gasket or sealant get into the engine
• Never reuse the old gasket or overtighten the bolts
• Do not work on a hot engine: the parts get very hot and there is a risk of burns
• If leaks remain after the replacement, check the PCV valve and look for clogged hoses: excess crankcase pressure pushes oil out past the new gasket