Does leaking coolant into the oil always mean bad head gaskets?
 

Hey guys hoping someone out there could point me in the right direction. I did a brief search but everything seems to point in a few different directions.

Backstory and history of the car:
Just bought my girlfriend a 2012 G37x in July. The car currently has 60k miles on it and we bought it with 54k miles. The previous owner mentioned it had over heated and he had 1 of the head gaskets replaced. I was weary of the purchase but we reluctantly went through with the purchase (stupid I know). I've noticed a slight antifreeze smell lately and seen the overflow tank losing coolant. I told her all summer to keep and eye on the temp gauge and she said it never climbed anywhere close to overheating during our ownership. So I did a oil change tonight after seeing a slight milky residue on the bottom of the oil cap, sure enough....it's mixing. She works less than 5 miles from home and seeing as it's winter I see this could cause this milky residue in some cases (it's not bad like pudding caking under the cap and nothing on oil dip stick out of the ordinary, just I figure any residue can't be good). The car doesn't smoke at all and the exhaust doesn't smell sweet. The antifreeze smell comes more from front of the car. I'm hoping maybe there is a issue some of the ogs on here have dealt with before I go and replace these head gaskets. Just between not fully knowing the history of the heads in the past I don't want to deal with this issue down the line. So now I'm worried like maybe he warped a head, or maybe his cheapness got us in the long run from the original over heating issue and only replacing one gasket? Just trying to bounce some ideas and any help is greatly appreciated. I also didn't see anything out of the ordinary leaking from radiator hoses. Could I be over looking something? Maybe water pump or oil gallery gasket(see these are common to fail pre 2013) or something? Idk Ive never personally had to deal with this issue in my experience with two vq35de's or my vq37vhr. So I'm kinda at a loss? Thanks again

So I've had the same thing. Smell could be coolant being expelled from the coolant overflow tube. Mine does that somewhat often. The white gunk is probs just bc the oil isnt getting to near-boiling temp and boiling off the water.

Or I've been driving around with leaky head gaskets. Either or.

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That's what I'm worried about. I'm going to Napa friday to get a headgasket tester. Wasn't sure if a thermostat or water pump could be the culprit? I'll post results. It's just weird it doesn't smoke at all/smell sweet exhaust end. Also, it's not throwing codes so it's not fouling sparkplugs.....at least yet. And I'm pretty sure antifreeze is definitely mixing. Idk it's annoying for sure though.

Ok so doing a leak down a d the block tester keeps sucking antifreeze into the pump....I've taken the top radiator hose out and tried draining a good amount. Idk if people still use this forum orrrr? Again, literally any help is appreciated.

Well, headgasket is indeed blown. These motors are kinda trash imo. I had a idea after seeing the mixture of green after the last oil change but wanted to know 100%....and unfortunately now I do. Car only has 62k miles.

You have an uncommon problem. Hence, the dearth of replies.

I understand this, but close to 500 views and no insight. My frustrations kind of got the best of me also. Sometimes seems like a dead forum unless you're one of the ogs who post every day. It's whatever though I figured it out.

You have an 09, how man times have you changed out your coolant ? As coolant ages it turns corrosive and will eat at the softer metals / copper head gaskets. Even though your antifreeze will keep your radiator from freezing doesn’t mean it’s good. :twocents:

This is actually my girlfriend's 2012 G37x with 62k. I never changed the coolant since we have only owned the car for about 6 months. I've never had a issue with my 09' and I drove that hard from 15k to 65k with no issues. I don't know I'm at a loss. I'm actually just going to post it locally for sale. It's not something were really looking to get into honestly. I definitely appreciate it. Next used car we will have to just look over alot better.

On a side note to others doing these types of block tests.....drain your antifreeze wayyyy down. The waterneck(I'd assume this is what it's called) where the upper hose goes into the block is so shallow it pulls alot of antifreeze into the tester and contaminated the test a bunch of times. I've done these tests before, this was just one of the more complicated motors I've done one on. Also the over flow coolant hose, take that off completely and blow compressed air through the tube to get all the coolant out. You'll be good after you've checked those things for a clean thorough test....otherwise, you're going to have a hell of a time.

Generally VQ engines don't have cooling issues and work well for a long time.

^^^
Too bad you missed that red flag. Also, it is a little odd that only one head gasket was replaced.... or maybe no head gaskets were replaced and then you purchased the car as the seller wasn't telling the truth.

Yeah, I looked it over good. I'm starting to think he used a sure seal headgasket kit. That was my fourth VQ and I have never had an issue like that before. Unfortunately though we drove four hours away and my girlfriend really wanted the car. I figured I've done the right thing by pointing her in the right direction of a solid car. It's all good we traded it in yesterday for a CPO Camry. The dealership didn't even notice the head gasket either..... It's destined for the auctions now. Still even got 9k for it. It's really put a bad taste in my mouth with the VHR honestly. Also, to be fair earlier models kind of did have a issue with needing a oil cooler it's all good though you live and you learn.

That sucks man. Unfortunately, you have only yourself to blame. I hope you at least got a really good deal initially and then most of your money back when you traded it in.

For the record, these VQ motors are pretty damn indestructible. If they are taken care of. A blown headgasket at <55K miles indicates that was not at all the case and should have been a huge red flag to any potential buyer.

In the future, never buy an Aluminum block engine that has over-heated. Old-school, cast iron blocks can often handle over-heating without warping or cracking; not so much with an Al block. Plus, with the tight clearances of modern engines, it doesn't take long to do irreparable damage to rotating parts.

Yeah, it does suck. Luckily I didn't get turned around in a loan since I paid cash. I still think the motors are trash sorry if I hurt any feelings. I lost a grand in 8 months. I've spent money in worse ways.

Yeah unfortunately in the situation I made a bad judgment /I drove 4 hours away/I let my girlfriend's emotions persuade me. It's all good though, I thought the dealership would have noticed. But it's not showing any signs other than the antifreeze smell up front. And it definitely wasn't showing any when I bought it.

So you've owned 4 vqs and had an issue with 1 of them that someone ruined before you even got it, and now the motors are trash?
And 1g in 8 months ain't sh*t. You got to drive around a car for ~125 dollars a month? Why are you complaining?

Whose complaining? I'm responding to other people's posts. Wow, I wish I had this much input when I actually asked my original question. Lol

LOL, these things can take some abuse. Turbo guys with stock blocks are making 600hp and running for a long time (3-4yrs). You just got taken advantage of, that is all.

True story.

You being butt hurt over a bad purchase decision doesn't hurt my feelings. But I do think you hurt the VQ's feelings. Now apologize! :mad: :icon17:

LMFAO butt hurt? Hardly, I think some of you are more emotional about the fact that I don't like the VHR more than I am about the bad headgaskets. When in reality who cares I'm just a guy from the internet. One that's been here since 2014 and never had an issue before. I also haven't shown any disrespect towards anyone. But the boys club is upset with me? Who the **** cares? I just respond because I'm bored and petty lol I would have been butt hurt if I had to spend 3k on another long block.

I am sorry all mighty VQ37VHR....I'm sorry that Nissan rushed you out the door without a proper slave cylinder, oil cooling issues, fuel pump top hats that disintegrate on top of the other fuel starving issues. I'm sorry that track guys also overheat on the regular. Also, I'm sorry for bad oil gallery gaskets and about the ignition lock and all the money us loyal Z/G guys have to put up into you just to make sure you don't leave us stranded somewhere. I'm also sorry Goshen Robbed the hell out of the parent company and that you provided us little to no help/recalls on issues we all have had. I'm sorry that the next Z will be auto and probably not a dct. Ohhh, I'm also sorry that the Renault/Mitsubishi/ Nissan venture isn't working that well and you are trying to recoup 91 million dollars from a man who escaped in a musical instrument box.


In all reality, it's a forum. This is just a opinion. I've never had a issue with ANY one here. Literally ppl just responded all at once when I'm guessing someone got wind in the special member section or something. Still no hard feelings...well at least on my end. Any ways, I'll stop egging this on since this thread is beyond off topic.....maybe lol depends on the responses. I've even had decent convos although they may be brief ones with members in this very post. Or adding small amounts of insight at times even though I'm more of a lurker than a everyday contributer in threads. It's all in good fun, until it isn't.

Yes. Butt hurt. At least that's what I saw to a certain extent (along with some playful trolling :tup:). The motor is solid. You had a bad experience and call it trash. No objectivity there.

FWIW, the premium member sections are mostly devoid of activity these days. You didn't get many responses initially because this isn't a common problem unless you go boost. I think the responses started when you started badmouthing the engine lol

Yeah, it is what it is I guess. I have opinions and ppl were upset then? I guess my point is proven. Well, there is no butt hurt here. It would have been if I took a hit on the vehicle. I didn't really sooo yeah....only butt hurtness I see is responding to a personal opinion. Many of which are in my VHR apologies that you requested. The motor is sub par for being out for 13 years. I don't think we will see eye to eye there in that respect. I don't think the motor is that great. It's either here nor there and we both have views that have made us biased either against or for the VHR. It's a shame we just don't respect that and move on.... It's all good really though. I'm still not upset with anyone, well maybe the guy I bought it from and myself a little for even posting in the beginning. The trolling is fine I guess if that's what you're into. Just better ways to uplift a community of common interests. I just don't see this type of response or crashing the ZX10R.net. or any of the many other z forums I've belonged to in the past. However you pass the day is fine with me honestly. But, of course I'm going to respond wouldn't you?

I don't think anyone got upset. Sure there are issues with the Z. But the only ones that affect daily street driving are completely unrelated to the motor. Even the oil cooling isn't an issue on the street absent continued spirited driving.

I'm certainly not going to see eye to eye with you based on your lack of evidence that the motor is trash. I guess I can agree that maybe the oil gallery gaskets and hardware are trash. I don't see any other relevant comments.

You win, I don't care lol I don't own one anymore. I guess I should have said trash platform.

:bowrofl:

https://media.giphy.com/media/l0ErI5...1dRK/giphy.gif

:iagree:

Sounds like the seller just unloaded his headache on to you. :mad:

That makes the entire platform junk. He buys a lemon = **** platform

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The motors are pretty stout. People have beat the chit out of them. Me included. It's the poor repair work that bites you big time, as you found out.

This could describe any motor now a days. They ALL have their issues. If you read enough of the other forums. You wonder how they all stay in business.