Blown Head Gasket need advice

Blackcrimzon

I have been having an overheating issue on my Z. At first, I thought it was the thermostat so I replaced it. The heating issue returned the next day. The temp gauge would go up to the max and then come down to normal every 10 to 15 seconds or so while it was idling. When I was driving the temp was fine.

So I took the car into a shop today and the guy there told me that in his opinion I have a blown head gasket.

Anyone had this happen before and know of some options that aren't going to break my bank? Or a shop that might be cheaper than Nissan? I live in Mesa AZ.

I was in the future planning on doing an engine rebuild to make my motor a 4 liter but was saving up for it. I do have a credit that I could charge it to but not sure of how much it would cost as I haven't really checked into it as I wanted to save up around 7k or so before I started looking. Anyone know how much it would cost to do an engine rebuild along with fixing my Head Gasket? I figure since they would have it apart that I might as well so it all together. That is assuming that it would be around 8k as I don't have much more than that.

I was also thinking that to just fix it to just buy a used engine from someplace and just do a motor swap. Not sure if that would be cheaper as I have a TT build.

Just looking for some advice from someone that has had experience with having your engine rebuilt and the cost. Or someone that has had a blown head gasket fixed and or had an engine replaced.

I connected Nissan and they wanted 3500 just for the basic labor of the blown head gasket with no machining if it needed it. I don't want to pay that much as it most likely would cost a lot more. I also got a straight quote from a guy that included the cost of the parts needing machined to be about 4500 to 5k.

So anyone that can give me some good ideas I am all ears/eyes. Thanks in advance.

Spooler

Is your car Twin Turbo? I would say take it to Seb at SpecialtyZ. Don't take it just anywhere. You will be in one big mess. If you do have a TT, I would suggested Quality forged pistons and Carrillo Pro rods. Looking at around 10 to 16k out the door depending on what you have done.

Blackcrimzon

This is the build thread that was done on my car when I had the Twin Turbo installed. 2009 NISMO Edition GEARHEINZ/HKS TT build!!!.

I think that getting the rebuild now is out of the question. I have 8k max. I think my best option now is to buy a good used motor from somewhere and do an engine swap. I think that would be cheaper then to have the head gasket replaced.

redondoaveb

I've got a 3700 mile motor out of my totaled 2017 I'll be selling.

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Spooler

Tow it to Seb and let him diagnose it. That way you know exactly what is wrong with it. Sounds like you may have a leak and a big air pocket that has developed.

SouthArk370Z

You need to get a reliable shop to diagnose the problem before you start throwing money at it. If not Seb, then another trustworthy shop (in my experience, a dealership is the LAST place you want to go). I've never had any dealings with Seb, but he has an excellent reputation.

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jchammond

Not hardly gonna get by with a patch job...get another dd & build the Z

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Quicksilvers

If you indeed have a blown cylinder head gasket/s most of the time you have serious damage to your cylinder heads and other internal parts in the engine it is impossible to know unless you do a tear down of your engine which is a lot of costly pain staking time and labor. Honestly your best option would be to purchase a used engine or purchase a brand new long block and salvage the old parts you can from your old engine and transfer them over to your used or brand new you decide to go with. It really depends how you decide to give your business to for how much a used or brand new engine will cost? If you are in Mesa,Arizona I highly recommend towing your Z to Concept Z Performance they are one of the most reputable and knowledgeable places to bring your Z in the United States I would definitely give them my business as I know of other Z enthusiasts how have been their before and had work done as well as tuning with success. Twin turbo builds on our Z’s are just expensive and you need every support mod for everything to work correctly. I recommend installing the AAM Competition Twin Turbo Kit turn key kit that Concept Z Performance sells that is the kit I am seriously considering in the future. Also the shop Concept Z Performance is located in Phoenix,Arizona not too far from you check them out and they should be able to help you out and give you helpful advice in your situation your in I wish you the best of luck.

Spooler

I do not recommend his advice at all. The AAM twin turbo kit is junk and they are crooks. Stay away from them. I have not idea
how someone could recommend their kit with all the info about them that has been posted lately. Insanity.

Spooler

My advice is not a patch job. He needs to know what is wrong and go from there.

Rusty

Question. How did they find it's a head gasket? Water in the oil? A leak that you can see? White smoke coming out of the tail pipes? Chemical test of the radiator? Pull the spark plugs out and they was wet with anti-freeze?

A head gasket most times will not damage anything else if caught soon enough, unless you run out of water in the cooling system and over heat it. Or turn the oil into a watery foam. If you run it long enough. It might steam cut the mating surfaces of the block and head. That doesn't happen too often.

Otherwise if it is a head gasket. Find out what caused it to blow Replace the gasket and be on your way. But I would replace the head bolts with ARP studs.

With some new info coming out about AAM. I would stay away from them. Think GTM .

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Rusty

Loose head bolts, did the head walk on the block, over boost, weak spot in the gasket?

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Blackcrimzon

The coolant lines would get really hard when the car was running and I thought that it had something to do with why the temperature kept going up and down. So I replaced the thermostat and the problem went away. About a day of driving it came back so I took it into a shop. The guy tried to do a coolant test on the car but it had a heavy amount of pressure coming out of the radiator cap. The coolant damn near hit the ceiling of the place. When the car was running you can see what looks like exhaust coming out of the opening. The tech said that is why he feels that I have a head gasket failer.

I hadn't driven my z for about 2 years and I had to move it from San Diego to AZ. I took the car for a wheel alignment and about 5 minutes into the drive my car was acting funny. I looked at the temp gauge and it was maxed out. I pulled over and got a tow. I took the car into a shop and they said that I didn't cause any damage. Looking back now I am not sure how they would have known that without taking the engine apart. What had happened was I had a coolant line come loss and I was out of coolant. So I was driving the car for a few minutes without coolant. I think that was the start of the head gasket damage. I think that driving it out here finally sent it over the top and cause it to come open.

Anyone know if I can get an engine for my car that is a vq37vhr or do I have to get a 09/10? From what I read or could find I need an engine that is from those years for my car. Also, do I need one that is from a manual as mine is a manual or can I get one that is from an auto?

redondoaveb

If you find out you can use a newer model, hit me up, the motor I'm selling has less than 3700 miles out of my manual 2017.

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Rusty

With the engine cold. Remove the radiator cap. Start the engine. Put your palm over the radiator fill hole. See if it feels like a pulse with pressure behind it. Have someone else rev the engine and see if the pressure increases. Take note of your coolant level. When you start the engine. It should drop down if it needs it. Leave the cap off, watch to see when the thermostat opens. Note the coolant level. Once the thermostat opens. Put your palm back over the hole to see if you feel any difference. Once you do this add coolant as needed. Put cap back on. Watch the temp gauge to see if if still pegs out. I'm thinking you have air in the system. The idiot mechanic who removed the cap and the coolant hit the ceiling did so with a hot motor. I've seen that happen so many times. Lucky he didn't get burnt.

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