Blown Head Gasket need advice

Blackcrimzon · 03-10-2019, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 .

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 · 03-10-2019, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Rusty · 03-10-2019, 05:48 PM

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.

Streetz · 03-11-2019, 07:54 PM

The only real way to confirm a head gasket failure is to check for hydrocarbons in the cooling system. All the test listed above are signs of a head gasket failure but the only true way to confirm in hydrocarbon test. Very easy to use. If you google "Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit" it will bring you to an Amazon link. only 36.99

If your in CAL i would take the car to See at specialtyZ. I've been in the performance industry for a long time and there are very few shops i would recommend. Seb won't disappoint you.

Rusty · 03-11-2019, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetz

The only real way to confirm a head gasket failure is to check for hydrocarbons in the cooling system. All the test listed above are signs of a head gasket failure but the only true way to confirm in hydrocarbon test. Very easy to use. If you google "Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit" it will bring you to an Amazon link. only 36.99

If your in CAL i would take the car to See at specialtyZ. I've been in the performance industry for a long time and there are very few shops i would recommend. Seb won't disappoint you.

I already mention about the chemical test.

Spooler · 03-10-2019, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Isn't you motor built?

redondoaveb · 03-10-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

Isn't you motor built?

Nope, stock block.

Quicksilvers · 03-10-2019, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

Sounds the technician you had diagnose your Z did not properly diagnose your Z for blown cylinder head gasket/s I would get a second opinion from another automotive shop or Nissan dealership service department you trust if you can not diagnose it yourself for sure. Also you can use any 09-19 QV37HR engine used or new from any of these years. If you search I have seen a lot of used engines for sale on eBay and other places for decent prices. Also you can purchase a used or new block and build your own custom engine as I did. Import Parts Pro is a reputable source if you are considering a new short block or long block.

03-10-2019, 05:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rusty A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Fayettenam,Pennsyltucky Age: 70 Posts: 35,571 Drives: 2011 Nismo GM 6M Rep Power: 2684440	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. redondoaveb and bunk like this. __________________ 浪人 - 殺し屋 "The Difficult Anytime, The Impossible By Appointment Only" http://www.the370z.com/members-370z-...o-journal.html

03-11-2019, 07:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Streetz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Chicago Posts: 59 Drives: 2011 370zTT 818whp Rep Power: 11	The only real way to confirm a head gasket failure is to check for hydrocarbons in the cooling system. All the test listed above are signs of a head gasket failure but the only true way to confirm in hydrocarbon test. Very easy to use. If you google "Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit" it will bring you to an Amazon link. only 36.99 If your in CAL i would take the car to See at specialtyZ. I've been in the performance industry for a long time and there are very few shops i would recommend. Seb won't disappoint you. Optimiser likes this.

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