Leaking Head Gasket

[cunniwj]

So I spent most of last night fixing an oil leak caused by a bad gasket on the oil pump. Once i finished that I set my timing and took the car out for a quick spin to check the seal. Once I got back home I looked under the car to see if it had worked and I noticed a stream on coolant running from the back of the block. iIfollowed it up to the top of the block and found that there was a leak coming from the head gasket and spraying onto to transmission. Its a small leak. It's not blowing any smoke so I think its just leaking to the outside. Does this mean its time to replace the gasket? This isnt work I would do myself, so if yes how much does it usually cost to have this done? Also would a coolant sealant work because of the small amount of leakage?

Edited January 15, 2009 by cunniwj
spelling

[d240zx2]

Yes, the gasket need to be replaced. No, the quick-fix you suggest is not a permanent solution. You can replace the gasket yourself with a modest set of hand tools and the service manual. I can't begin to suggest what a shop might charge you, but others here may have an idea.

Frank

[Carl Beck]

Can you actually see it coming out of the head gasket? There is a coolant line that runs around the back of the head to put water through the intake/carb's... and it might have a pin hole in it.. Rare to have a head gasket leak in that manor...

Just a thought/question..

Carl B.

[Bruce Palmer]

Pursue Carl's suggestion first, particularly if it is "spraying" on the transmission. Were it a head gasket, I'd suspect "oozing" and drooling down the block.....

I'm going to venture a guess that $750 would cover the replacement of a head gasket.

[Garagegoon]

Can you actually see it coming out of the head gasket? There is a coolant line that runs around the back of the head to put water through the intake/carb's... and it might have a pin hole in it.. Rare to have a head gasket leak in that manor...

Just a thought/question..

Carl B.

I wish it were very rare... Im going through that problem right now. Head gasket leaking at back on drivers side, drooling down block. Im goin to wait for the cold snap to be over then get out there and break it down to replace it.

[zbane]

Last year I had to replace my head gasket. Since it was something new to me (and therefore something I was reluctant to do myself) I called the Nissan dealership about doing the repair. I was quoted @ $65 for the gasket, and another $950 for the job.

This is something you can do yourself, search the site, and check your FSM. It's not that hard to do, just make sure to go one step at a time.

[Carl Beck]

That is correct - it is not that hard to do. In fact it's actually easy if every nut, bolt and stud on your engine is as new.

The easy job can turn quickly into a real BEAR however, if/when you start twisting off 35+ year old bolts, studs that are rusted in half or head bolts that are frozen in the block. Professional mechanics deal with these situations all the time. They have the speciality tools needed to make the corrections. As a last resort they have friends at the machine shops....

Cylinder head R&R is not one of the things one would want to take on, as a first learning experience. Sometimes you get lucky.... most of the time not.

I wouldn't discourage you from doing it yourself - but I'd sure recommend paying a professional to come to your house on the weekend and help, or teach you how. Second best thing is a friend that been through it a few times. They know when not to put too much pressure on the old nuts/bolts etc.

If you are a beginner at major engine repairs - it can be very frustrating if/when things start to go wrong.

FWIW,

Carl B.

BTW - if you have to take the head off anyway = just get a price for doing a fresh valve job. The labor cost will be about the same.. and you'll wind up getting far more for your money...

[MikeW]

I'd also do a compression test before taking the head off. That might determine that the valve job Carl suggests is warranted but it could also show that a ring job is needed. This could turn into one of those "while you're at it" things but it's true that in the long run you'll save time and trouble doing multiple things at once.

[cunniwj]

Thanks for all your comments. There are certain things I can do but this is not one I'll attempt. Carl, Mike I'll take your advice since the heads coming off it does make sence to look at the other things while it's off.

Thanks Bill