Does the Nissan Teana's valve cover oil leakage require repair?
2 Answers
Nissan Teana's valve cover oil leakage requires repair. Function of valves: The valves are responsible for introducing air into the engine and expelling exhaust gases after combustion. In terms of engine structure, they are divided into intake valves and exhaust valves. The intake valve draws air into the engine to mix with fuel for combustion, while the exhaust valve expels the burned exhaust gases and dissipates heat. Effects of damaged car valves: Damaged valves will affect the engine's working efficiency, reducing the car's power; they will produce abnormal noises, and the engine may experience unstable idling or poor acceleration during operation, with reduced overtaking performance. In severe cases, it may lead to difficulty starting the engine, failure to ignite, and the car may exhibit air leakage or increased carbon buildup; damaged valves can cause unstable cylinder operation, leading to engine shaking, reduced engine power, and even blockage of the exhaust pipeline. In severe cases, it may result in black smoke from the exhaust.
Having driven the Teana for over a decade, I can't stress enough how important it is to address valve cover gasket oil seepage. While it might just be a small oil stain at first, ignoring it can lead to oil dripping onto the exhaust pipe, causing smoke and filling the engine bay with a burnt smell. Long-term leakage can also result in insufficient oil levels, potentially leading to cylinder scoring and requiring major repairs. The main culprit is usually the aging of the factory rubber gasket, which can be fixed by replacing it with an improved version for just around a hundred bucks. If you notice the valve cover is warped, it's more cost-effective to switch to an aftermarket aluminum part, with labor and materials costing just a few hundred. Don't wait until oil sludge builds up—repairs at that stage will cost way more.
