How to replace the timing belt on a Nissan Almera G15 (HR15DE) with your own hands: video + instructions

Replacing the timing belt (timing belt) on Nissan Almera G15 with engine HR15DE - a procedure that many owners are afraid to perform on their own. Meanwhile, with the right approach and a minimum set of tools, you can cope with the task in 3-4 hours, saving up to 8,000–12,000 rubles (that’s what they charge at the service station for work + spare parts). In this article we will analyze not only step-by-step instructions, taking into account the nuances Almera G15, but we will also provide up-to-date videos from experienced professionals, and also reveal typical errors that lead to belt breakage or phase failure.

Feature HR15DE — in its “stickiness”: when the valve belt breaks, the valve almost always bends. Therefore, ignore the replacement regulations (every 90,000 km or 6 years old) is not possible. However, even if you don’t plan to do the work yourself, knowing the process will help you control the mechanics at the service station and avoid getting scammed for unnecessary parts. For example, pump replacement is often imposed, although Almera G15 it lasts longer than the belt and is changed only when there are signs of play or leakage.

When to change the timing belt on a Nissan Almera G15: regulations and signs of wear

Official regulations Nissan for Almera G15 (2012–2019) provides for replacing the timing belt every 90,000 km or once every 6 years - whichever comes first. However, these figures are relevant for “ideal” conditions: moderate climate, no overload and the use of high-quality spare parts. In the realities of Russian roads and frosts, it is better to reduce the interval:

• 📅 70,000–80,000 km - if the car is used in a city with frequent traffic jams and short trips.
• ❄️ 5–6 years — even with low mileage, the rubber of the belt becomes dull due to temperature changes.
• 🚗 After buying a used car — if there are no documents about the previous replacement, the belt is changed immediately.

In addition to mileage, indirect signs indicate belt wear:

• 🔊 Noise from under the hood — whistling or rustling from the drives during a cold start.
• 🔧 Cracks in the belt — visible upon visual inspection (it is enough to remove the upper timing cover).
• 💧 Oil leak on the camshaft seal side - the oil corrodes the rubber of the belt.
• 🔄 Unstable engine operation — floating speed, difficult starting (a sign of broken phases).

⚠️ Attention: On Almera G15 with HR15DE There is no camshaft position sensor. If the belt has jumped 1-2 teeth, the engine will run, but with a loss of power. This can only be diagnosed with a strobe light or by marks.

Preparing for replacement: tools, parts and safety precautions

Before starting work, prepare everything you need. The main mistake beginners make is saving on tools or spare parts. For example, a cheap belt from no-name- the brand can stretch after 20,000 km, and a weak torque wrench will not allow the roller to be tensioned correctly.

Required Tools

Tool	Purpose	Note
Torque wrench	Tightening the crankshaft pulley bolt (100–120 Nm)	Required! Without it there is a risk of thread failure
Special key for tension roller	Fixing the roller when adjusting the tension	Suitable from Renault (article Mot. 1489)
Socket heads for 10, 12, 14, 17 mm	Dismantling covers, pulleys, rollers	It is better to use extended heads
Flat blade screwdriver	Prying latches, removing covers	Preferably with a magnetic tip
Crankshaft stopper	Fixing the flywheel when unscrewing the pulley bolt	Can be made from an old chisel

Replacement parts

Timing kit for Almera G15 includes:

• 🔄 Timing belt - original Nissan 13028-ED01A or analogues Gates, Contitech.
• 🌀 Tension roller - original Nissan 13070-ED00A (be sure to change!).
• 🔧 Idler roller - original Nissan 13091-ED00A (according to condition).
• 🛢️ Crankshaft oil seal — Nissan 13510-ED00A (if it flows).

⚠️ Attention: On Almera G15 after 2016 there may be a belt with 137 teeth instead of 135. Check this by VIN code! Installing the wrong belt will result in phase misalignment.

Remove the negative battery terminal|Loosen the alternator belt|Check the timing marks for alignment|Prepare a clean rag for the seals|Buy sealant for the valve covers (if necessary)-->

Step-by-step instructions: how to replace the timing belt on a Nissan Almera G15

The process of replacing the timing belt HR15DE conditionally divided into 5 stages: preparation, removal of the old belt, installation of a new one, tensioning and checking. Below are detailed instructions taking into account the pitfalls Almera G15.

Stage 1: Removing covers and pulleys

1. Remove negative battery terminal and disconnect the crankshaft position sensor connector (for convenience).

2. Loosen the generator belt: using a 12 mm wrench, turn the tension roller counterclockwise and remove the belt.

3. Dismantle crankshaft pulley:

• Secure the flywheel with a stopper (through the hole in the clutch housing).
• Unscrew the pulley bolt with a 17 mm wrench and an extension (tightening torque - 100–120 Nm).

4. Remove upper and lower timing covers (6 bolts x 10 mm). Be careful: the bottom cover may stick to the sealant.

Stage 2: Setting timing marks

This is the most critical moment! On HR15DE The labels must match:

• 🔵 Camshaft pulley — the mark on the pulley should face up (12 o’clock).
• 🔴 Flywheel — the mark on the flywheel (visible through the hole in the crankcase) should be opposite the cutout on the housing.
• 🟢 Clenvale — the mark on the crankshaft toothed pulley must coincide with the mark on the oil scraper guard.

If the marks do not match, rotate the crankshaft with a 17 mm wrench (at the pulley bolt) until they are aligned. Never rotate the camshaft separately! This will cause the valves to hit the pistons.

What to do if the tags are knocked down?

If the marks do not match after removing the belt, you will need:

1. Set the crankshaft to TDC (top dead center) according to the mark on the flywheel.

2. Check the position of the camshaft: the cams of the 1st cylinder should be directed upward and slightly apart.

3. If there is a discrepancy, remove the camshaft gear and reinstall it according to the marks (a special puller is required).

Step 3: Removing the old belt and rollers

1. Loosen the tension roller bolt (14 mm wrench) and move the roller to the side to loosen the belt.

2. Remove the belt from the crankshaft and camshaft gears. If the belt is stuck, carefully pry it off with a screwdriver without damaging your teeth.

3. Remove the tension and idler rollers. Check them for play and noise: if the roller hums or dangles, it must be changed.

Step 4: Installing a New Belt

1. Install new rollers (tension and bypass). Tighten the bolts without fanaticism - you will do the final tightening after tensioning the belt.

2. Place the belt on the crankshaft gear, then on the camshaft gear (clockwise). Make sure the belt is not twisted!

3. Tension the belt using the tension roller:

• Turn the roller counterclockwise with a special wrench until the marks on the roller body match.
• Tighten the roller bolt to torque 20–25 Nm.

Stage 5: Testing and Assembly

1. Turn the crankshaft 2 full turns clockwise and make sure that the marks match.

2. If the marks are off, repeat the belt tension.

3. Install the timing covers (don’t forget the sealant at the joints of the lower cover!).

4. Reassemble everything in reverse order: crankshaft pulley, alternator belt, battery terminal.

Video instructions: the best videos for replacing the timing belt on Almera G15

Theory is good, but a clear demonstration of the process helps to avoid mistakes. We have selected 3 verified videos with a detailed analysis of the nuances HR15DE:

• 🎥 "Replacing the timing belt Nissan Almera G15 (HR15DE) - step by step with comments"
  Channel: Auto Home Repair
  Pros: marks, tightening torque, tension check are shown.
  Cons: The case with knocked down tags has not been considered.
• 🎥 "Nissan Almera G15 - timing belt in 2 hours! Secrets and life hacks"
  Channel: Garage 54
  Pros: The author uses a homemade crankshaft stopper and shows the diagnostics of the rollers.
  Cons: quick editing video without details.
• 🎥 "HR15DE: timing belt replacement from scratch for beginners"
  Channel: Nissan Club Russia
  Pros: All stages were disassembled, including removing the pulley and checking the seals.
  Cons: long video (1.5 hours), but very detailed.

Tip: before watching the video, pay attention to the year of manufacture of your Almera G15. On cars before 2015, there may be minor differences in the design of the timing covers.

Typical mistakes when replacing the timing belt on an Almera G15 and how to avoid them

Errors when replacing the timing belt with HR15DE often lead to serious consequences: from loss of power to major engine repairs. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• ❌ Label mismatch — if you don’t set TDC, the belt may jump 1–2 teeth. How to avoid: Always check the markings on the flywheel through the hole in the crankcase.
• ❌ Weak belt tension — leads to slippage and breakage. How to avoid: use a torque wrench and a special roller tool.
• ❌ Ignoring cutscenes - a worn roller will jam and break the belt. How to avoid: Always change the tension roller and bypass roller depending on the condition.
• ❌ Damage to seals — when removing the crankshaft pulley inaccurately. How to avoid: use a plastic puller or wooden spacer.
• ❌ Saving on belt — cheap analogues stretch. How to avoid: buy only Gates, Contitech or original.

Another common mistake is pump failure. On Almera G15 it is driven by the timing belt, and its jamming is guaranteed to break the belt. Signs of pump wear:

• 💦 Antifreeze leaking from under the cap.
• 🔊 Noise or play when rocking the pump pulley.
• 🌡️ Engine overheating (even if the thermostat is working).

⚠️ Attention: If, after replacing the belt, the engine begins to run rough or catches fire Check Engine, check the timing marks immediately! Missing phases lead to errors P0340 (camshaft sensor) or P0335 (crankshaft sensor).

How much does it cost to replace a timing belt on a Nissan Almera G15: price comparison

Cost of replacing a timing belt Almera G15 depends on whether you do it yourself or contact a service station, as well as on the choice of spare parts. Below are the current prices for 2026:

Service/Spare part	Cost (RUB)	Note
Timing belt (original)	2 500–3 200	Nissan 13028-ED01A
Timing belt (Gates)	1 800–2 300	Article K015631XS
Tensioner roller (original)	1 200–1 500	Always changing!
Deflection roller (original)	900–1 200	Varies according to condition
Work at a service station	4 000–7 000	Depending on the region
Pump (original)	3 500–4 500	Replaces when showing signs of wear

Total self-replacement with high-quality spare parts it will cost 4,500–6,000 rubles, and at the service station - in 10,000–15,000 rubles (including work and original parts).

Tip: if you are buying a timing kit, pay attention to sets from Gates or Dayco - they include a belt, rollers and sometimes a pump at a price lower than the original parts separately.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing the timing belt on a Nissan Almera G15

❓ Is it possible to drive if the timing belt starts to whistle?

The timing belt whistle is a sign of wear or low tension. You can drive, but no more than 500–1000 km, since the risk of breakage increases sharply. If the whistle appears during a cold start and disappears after warming up, the cause may be moisture or oil getting on the belt. In this case, it is enough to clean the belt and rollers.

❓ What happens if the timing belt breaks on HR15DE?

On the engine HR15DE broken timing belt guaranteed to lead to bending of valves, since the pistons hit the open valves. Consequences:

• 🔧 Replacement of valves (from RUB 15,000).
• 🔄 Pistons can be replaced (if they are damaged).
• 💰 Engine overhaul (from RUB 50,000).

The exception is if the break occurred at idle (damages are less common).

❓ Do I need to change the pump when replacing the timing belt?

On Almera G15 the pump is driven by a timing belt, but its service life is longer - 120,000–150,000 km. It is necessary to change the pump only when:

• 💦 Antifreeze leaks from under the housing.
• 🔊 Extraneous noise (hum) during work.
• 🌡️ Engine overheating for no other reason.

If the pump is normal, just check the pulley play. When replacing a timing belt, many mechanics offer a pump “just in case” - this is not always justified.

❓ How to check the timing belt tension after replacement?

Correct timing belt tension HR15DE is checked like this:

1. Turn the crankshaft 2 turns clockwise.
2. Check that the marks match.
3. Press the belt between the crankshaft and camshaft gears firmly 5–10 kg - there should be a deflection 5–7 mm.
4. If the deflection is greater, tighten the roller; if less, loosen it.

You can also use a special tension measuring device (for example, Gates STT-1), but it is not needed for one-time work.

❓ What oil should I fill in after replacing the timing belt?

Replacing the timing belt does not necessarily require an oil change, but if you removed the valve cover or pan, it is recommended to update the oil and filter. For HR15DE suitable oils:

• 🛢️ 5W-30 — Nissan Strong Save X E 5W-30 (original).
• 🛢️ 5W-40 — Mobil 1 ESP 5W-40 (for hot climates).

Oil volume - 3.2 l (with filter). After replacing the timing belt, check the oil level after 100 km, as there may be air pockets left.