1991 Nissan Truck water in exhaust

Tiny
JOESD21
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 NISSAN TRUCK
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 180,000 MILES
While I was driving my engine started to miss, I only had half a mile to go to work, so while I was parking steam from my exhaust pipe started to come out. I shut my truck off (1991 Nissan D21 KA24E 180,000mi).
I figured blown head gasket, looked at the water temp and it was not running hot. So I had it towed home. Sure enough blown head gasket. I replaced the head gasket started it up and it missed for a couple of minutes then ran fine but the more gas I gave it the more steam it would produce. So. I took the head back off and had it pressure tested, and a whole valve job. They took off 8 to 10 thousands due to warpage. So I also put in a new timing chain, guides, tensioner and oil pump and started her back up and boy does it sound & run good.. Except for the tons of steam out the exhaust pipe. I ran it for about 10 minutes to get rid of any water in the exhaust pipe but it did not diminish. Can I add a dye to the water so that when I take it apart again I will be able to see where it was leaking. There is no water in the oil this time. There was very little the first time -I didn't run it for long. I am going to pressure check with the plugs out as soon IF I can find a presure checker that will fit the small radiator opening I have. What would you do next?
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Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 AT 3:34 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Run a compresion test on all cylinders, if OK, then look at intake manifold gasket, it may be leaking.

If compression is low on one or adjacent cylinders, then the head or gasket is bad, always change cylinder head bolts when installing new gasket, and clean threads in block with tap or thread chaser.
If bolts go into water jackets, coat bolts with sealer.
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Thursday, April 30th, 2009 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
JOESD21
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  • 3 POSTS
Compression check showed 150-155 in all cylinders. So I took off intake and it was fine. Gasket was sealing just fine. So I started it back up and lots of steam. For 20 minutes. So I got mad and drove it any way. I drove for another 15 minutes it was quite embarrassing, it was pretty bad, then all of a sudden it just faded away. So my whole problem was just antifreeze and water in the catalatic converter. So it took a total of about at least 45 minutes to burn off.
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Monday, June 22nd, 2009 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Good news. If you get any error codes, it is most likely the O2 sensor. Coolant will destroy an O2 sensor in short order.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
JOESD21
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes your right my check engine light did come on. In Mode III the code flases 4 red 1 green which is air temperature sensor. I replaced it and the oxygen sensor, cleared the code but it came right back on.
With engine at normal running temp
Mode I. At 2000 rpm green flashes more than 5 times in ten seconds. Oxygen Sensor Monitor --good
Mode II. At 2000 rpm red and green blink simultaneously ---air /fuel good.
Mode IV. Red light goes on when depressing gas pedal and when turning ignition onto start position.
Mode V. No flash in 5 minutes when racing or idling the engine--CPS and MAF sensors working properly.

Would it be any help for me to buy a OBD1 scanner? Dosen't it just read codes and that is all?

I used my old thermostat. It tested good in boiling water but it did have one side with a 1mm opening (not quite closing all the way).
I only set the distributor back into the exact place as before instead of using a timing light. I am going to set the timing and replace the thermastat next.
My question. What next? Thank you so much.
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Monday, July 20th, 2009 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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You might find an OBDI scanner for a Nissan on ebay. Newer OBDI/OBDII scanners for a car that old would run at least $600 or more.

A scanner will give you live data mode, which you can watch sensor output in real time.

Or you can go to garage which has a high end scanner and have them diagnose it.
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 8:14 AM

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