Used Nissan Sentra Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 1982-to-present Nissan Sentra — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your car and we’ll match the exact engine.
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Engine Options
Which engine does your Sentra have?
The first Sentra arrived for 1982 with a carbureted 1.5L, which soon gave way to the 1.6L E16, and a 1.7L diesel was offered as well. The E16 stayed until 1988, the 12-valve GA16i powered the 1989–1990 cars, and the 16-valve GA16DE went into every 1991–1999 car except the 1991–1994 SE-R and 1998–1999 SE, which had the 2.0L SR20DE.
From 2000 the Sentra had new engines with almost every generation: the QG18DE 1.8L, SR20DE 2.0L and QR25DE 2.5L in the 2000–2006 B15, the MR20DE 2.0L and a revised QR25DE in the 2007–2012 B16, the MRA8DE 1.8L and a 1.6L turbo in the 2013–2019 B17, and the direct-injected MR20DD 2.0L in the 2020–2025 B18, carried over into the B19 from 2026.
The table sets out what was offered in each generation. Several 1.6L engines, three different 2.0Ls and two different 1.8Ls have carried the Sentra name, so we confirm the exact one from your VIN.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L four-cylinder, carbureted | Code: E15 | The 1982 launch engine, 1982 only. |
| 1.6L four-cylinder, carbureted | Code: E16 | Replaced the 1.5L for 1983; the only gasoline engine for 1983–1986. |
| 1.7L diesel four-cylinder | Code: CD17 | Diesel models. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6L four-cylinder, carbureted | Code: E16 | 1987. |
| 1.6L four-cylinder, throttle-body injection | Code: E16i | 1987–1988. |
| 1.6L 12-valve four-cylinder, throttle-body injection | Code: GA16i | The only engine, 1989–1990. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6L DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder | Code: GA16DE | Every trim except the SE-R. |
| 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder | Code: SR20DE | SE-R two-door. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6L DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder | Code: GA16DE | Every trim except the 1998–1999 SE. |
| 2.0L DOHC four-cylinder | Code: SR20DE | SE, 1998–1999. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8L four-cylinder | Code: QG18DE | Standard engine, all years. |
| 2.0L four-cylinder | Code: SR20DE | SE, 2000–2001 only. |
| 2.5L four-cylinder | Code: QR25DE | SE-R and SE-R Spec V from 2002; also the 2003 2.5 LE and the 2.5 S from 2004. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L four-cylinder | Code: MR20DE | Standard engine. |
| 2.5L four-cylinder | Code: QR25DE | Revised engine. SE-R (CVT only) and SE-R Spec V (manual only), the Spec V with more power. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8L four-cylinder | Code: MRA8DE | All trims except the turbos. |
| 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder, direct injection | Code: MR16DDT | SR Turbo and NISMO, 2017–2019. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L four-cylinder, direct injection | Code: MR20DD | The only engine. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L four-cylinder, direct injection | Code: MR20DD | Carried over from the B18; the only engine. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
1980s cars
A 1982 Sentra has the 1.5L E15 and a 1983–1986 gasoline car the 1.6L E16, while diesel B11 cars have the 1.7L CD17. In 1987 the E16 came either carbureted or fuel-injected. Tell us whether yours is gasoline or diesel and send us the VIN, and we will match the exact engine.
Which 1.6L
The E16 of the 1980s, the 12-valve GA16i of 1989–1990, the 16-valve GA16DE of 1991–1999 and the MR16DDT turbo in the 2017–2019 SR Turbo and NISMO are four different engines. Give us the model year so we match the right one.
Which 2.0L
The SR20DE of the 1991–1994 SE-R and 1998–2001 SE, the MR20DE of 2007–2012 and the direct-injected MR20DD from 2020 are three different engines that happen to share a displacement.
Which 1.8L
The QG18DE of 2000–2006 and the MRA8DE of 2013–2019 come from different engine families. Order the one your model year calls for.
Which 2.5L
The QR25DE was revised for 2007, so a 2002–2006 engine and a 2007–2012 engine differ. In 2007–2012 the Spec V engine is tuned for more power than the SE-R’s, and the two were paired with different transmissions. Give us the trim along with the year.
Shudder may be the CVT — 2007 on
On a 2007-on automatic, shuddering, jerking and hesitation can come from the CVT rather than the engine. Have the transmission checked before you replace the engine.
Have your VIN ready
Many Sentra model years came with more than one engine, chosen by trim. The VIN tells us which one your car left the factory with, so we quote the engine that fits.
Common Problems
Common Sentra engine problems
Pre-catalyst break-up — 2.5L, 2002–2006
The catalyst built into the 2.5L’s exhaust manifold can crumble when it overheats. The fragments are drawn back into the cylinders and score the bores, and heavy oil burning and engine failure follow. Replace a failing pre-catalyst along with the engine, or the new engine can be damaged the same way.
Stalling from position sensors — 2000–2006
Failing crankshaft and camshaft position sensors can stop the engine without warning or keep it from restarting, especially when hot, which is easily mistaken for engine failure. Test the sensors before replacing the engine.
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FAQ
Sentra engine questions, answered
Which engine does my Sentra have?
It goes by year and trim: the 1.5L E15 for 1982; the 1.6L E16 or 1.7L diesel for 1983–1986; the 1.6L E16 or E16i for 1987–1988; the 1.6L GA16i for 1989–1990; the 1.6L GA16DE for 1991–1999, or the 2.0L SR20DE in the 1991–1994 SE-R and 1998–1999 SE; the 1.8L QG18DE or 2.0L SR20DE on 2000–2001 cars; the QG18DE or 2.5L QR25DE for 2002–2006; the 2.0L MR20DE or 2.5L QR25DE for 2007–2012; the 1.8L MRA8DE for 2013–2019, or the 1.6L turbo in the 2017–2019 SR Turbo and NISMO; and the 2.0L MR20DD from 2020. Your VIN confirms it.
Will a 2.5L from an Altima fit my 2002–2012 SE-R?
The QR25DE was also used in the Altima and Rogue, but it was revised for 2007 and outputs differ from model to model, including between the 2007–2012 SE-R and Spec V. Match the model year and trim, and send us the VIN so we can check the fit. The 1991–1994 SE-R is a different case: it has the 2.0L SR20DE.
Are all the Sentra 2.0L engines the same?
No. The SR20DE of the 1991–1994 SE-R and 1998–2001 SE, the MR20DE of 2007–2012 and the direct-injected MR20DD from 2020 are three different engines that happen to share a displacement. The model year identifies yours.
Is the engine covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every engine we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your Sentra engine?
Tell us the year and have your VIN to hand — a specialist will confirm the right unit and send you a quote.
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