The 1.3-liter Nissan QG13DE engine (or QG13 for short) was produced from 1998 to 2012 in Japan and was installed mainly on local models, as well as on cars for the Southeast Asian market. This power unit is the youngest in the line and is quite rare.
QG family: QG13DE, QG15DE, QG16DE, QG18DE, QG18DD.
Specifications
| Production years | 1998-2012 |
| Displacement, cc | 1295 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 87 – 90 |
| Torque output, Nm | 113 – 120 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 71 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 81.8 |
| Compression ratio | 10 |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 2.7 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 3/4 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Nissan Sylphy 2004) — city — highway — combined |
7.6 4.9 5.7 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~220 000 |
| Weight, kg | 128 |
The engine was installed on:
- Nissan AD 3 (Y11) in 1999 – 2005;
- Nissan Sentra N16 in 2005 – 2012;
- Nissan Sunny 5 (B15) in 1998 – 2006;
- Nissan Sylphy N16 in 2000 – 2012.
Disadvantages of the QG13DE engine
- A short-lived timing chain often stretches to a range of 120 – 150 thousand kilometers;
- The culprit for floating engine speeds is usually a dirty throttle;
- Since there are no hydraulic lifters here, the thermal clearances of the valves need to be adjusted;
- The source of the whistle under the hood is the alternator belt, you will have to buy a new one;
- The crumbs of the collapsing catalyst can be sucked into the combustion chamber of the engine.
Frequently asked questions about the Nissan QG13DE
How much power does the Nissan QG13DE make?
The Nissan QG13DE develops 87 - 90 hp and 113 - 120 Nm of torque.
How much oil does the Nissan QG13DE take and which one?
Engine oil capacity: 2.7 liters. Recommended oil: 5W-30.
Does the Nissan QG13DE have a timing belt or chain?
The Nissan QG13DE uses a timing chain.
Is the Nissan QG13DE turbocharged?
No, the Nissan QG13DE is naturally aspirated.
Does the Nissan QG13DE need valve clearance adjustment?
Yes, there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valve clearances have to be checked and adjusted periodically.
How long does the Nissan QG13DE last?
The typical lifespan of the Nissan QG13DE is ~220 000 km with proper maintenance.
What is the fuel consumption of the Nissan QG13DE?
Nissan Sylphy 2004: city 7.6, highway 4.9, combined 5.7 L/100 km.
What cars was the Nissan QG13DE installed on?
Nissan AD 3 (Y11) in 1999 - 2005; Nissan Sentra N16 in 2005 - 2012; Nissan Sunny 5 (B15) in 1998 - 2006; Nissan Sylphy N16 in 2000 - 2012.
What are the common problems of the Nissan QG13DE?
A short-lived timing chain often stretches to a range of 120 - 150 thousand kilometers. The culprit for floating engine speeds is usually a dirty throttle. All known problems.
Kt says the engine’s span is just about 220,000km. My QG13 in my 2010 Nissan Sentra N16 here in the Philippines is already reaching 600,000km soon..
Mine is at 350000 with just one chain changed
dont push your timing chains to its limits lol, it’ll cost a fortune unless you plan on detonating the engine and swapping a different or a larger engine in.