Head gasket replacement instructions please?

Tiny
MATTHEW KIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Last March 2019 while I was driving home my car started surging almost jumping back and forth violently. I have never experienced this in any car before. The mechanic diagnosed a blown head gasket so we had the head machined and gasket replaced. The car was returned with a slight crack in the radiator and the fans would run for a few minutes after I turned the car off. Otherwise the car ran great. I did get the radiator replaced, but one night while driving home car started surging again with the thermo gauge all the way too hot. Now I would need another head gasket replacement. I have found a replacement head. I just want to know how this could happen twice?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Based on what you said, there are a couple things that jump out. First, if the head was not not torqued properly then it could push the head gasket out again. Next if the cracked radiator caused an overheat then it could have warped the head and pushed it out again. The other thing that I am thinking is if the head was warped and they did not machine it "enough" to get the warp out.

Then again, this could just be an unfortunate series of events. I don't see enough especially after a year that this would directly implicate the shop that did it.

I would definitely replace the head at this point because I am sure you will not have enough material to machine it again. Plus, I am sure the head is warped. It would be a good idea to straight edge the head and block just to make sure they are okay. If the head is warped then that would explain why it happened. If it is not, then we may need to dig deeper as to other causes of a failed head gasket.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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+1
Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTHEW KIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Actually the head gasket failed again less than a year after the work was done but I think some damage might already have been done at this point. The A/C also was not working properly but the car wasn't overheating. It would blow cold air for a few seconds every 10-15 minutes and the A/C was just serviced. The second failure happened suddenly as the first anyway. I should have verified the cooling system was 100%.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTHEW KIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your time.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are welcome. Just so I am clear, you were thinking the AC issue was an indication that the head gasket was going to fail? I just want to make sure I understand the timeline. Thanks
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JTRYON1989
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1995 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 110,000 MILES
I believe I blew my head gasket. Ive had my cylinder heads checked and machined and still it wont start. There is compression and it will turn over but not start. When I take out the spark plugs one at a time oil and other fluids spew out of number 1 only to where it wont fire. Its just in hole 1 though so that the spark plug wont spark.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If oil adn "other" ar ecoming out of #1, you are probably going to have to take the head back off to see why it is leaking fluids into the cylinder. May be an incorrect head gasket or a cracked block possibly if you had the head pressure tested adn surfaced and it was good. Did you torque the head according to spec?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JTRYON1989
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Its the right head gasket and yes it the head was torqued right. It just wont start because the oil mixture is spewing out when it tries to crank over. Im currently having the head removed again to see what was done wrong. Could it be they did not time it right.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Timing wont make it blow fluid out of the cylinder. Have to wait to see what they find, sure sounds like the wrong gasket if it is blowing oil and coolant out of it, assuming that is what you meant by "fluids"
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TSPRING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • MANUAL
  • 115,000 MILES
How do I change a head gasket myself to save money I don't have. PLEASE HELP ME!
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
REMOVAL:

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Drain and recycle the engine coolant.
Drain and recycle the engine oil.
Properly relieve the fuel system pressure.
Disconnect the air duct from the throttle body.
Disconnect the intake manifold braces from the rear of the engine.
Remove the exhaust manifold.
Remove the alternator and all related brackets.
Remove the distributor assembly.
Using a block of wood, set a jack under the aluminum oil pan and remove the passenger's side engine mount.
Remove the cylinder head cover.
Remove the timing chain and camshaft sprockets.

The lower timing chain should not be disengaged from the crankshaft sprocket.

Remove the camshafts.

The valve train components must be reassembled in their original positions. Be sure to note their locations.

Loosen the cylinder head bolts in the illustrated order.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/261618_1_20.jpg



A warped or cracked cylinder head could result from loosening in incorrect order. The cylinder head bolts should be loosened in two or three steps.

Remove the cylinder head and intake manifold as an assembly.
Remove the cylinder head gasket.

INSTALLATION:

Clean the gasket mating surfaces thoroughly.
Inspect both the engine block and cylinder head for damage.
Install a new cylinder head gasket. Ensure that the proper side of the gasket is facing up. Each gasket manufacturer will have a slightly different way of telling which side is up. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Install the cylinder head and temporarily tighten the cylinder head bolts. This is necessary to avoid damaging the cylinder head gasket. Be sure to install washers between the bolts and cylinder head.
Install the upper timing chain and cover.
Tighten the cylinder head bolts in the proper sequence to the following torque specifications:
A.Tighten all the bolts to 22 ft. lbs. (29 Nm).
B.Tighten all the bolts to 10 ft. lbs. (79 Nm).
C.Loosen all the bolts completely.
D.Tighten all the bolts to 18-25 ft. lbs. (25-34 Nm).
E.Turn all the bolts 86-91 degrees clockwise.If an angle wrench is not available, tighten all the bolts to 6-13 ft. lbs. (75-84 Nm).

Install the camshafts.
Install the timing chain and sprockets.
Install the cylinder head cover.
Install the passenger's side engine mount and lower the engine.
Install the distributor assembly.
Install the alternator and all related brackets.
Install the exhaust manifold.
Install the intake manifold braces.
Connect the air duct to the throttle body.
Refill and bleed the cooling system.
Refill the engine with the proper grade and viscosity of engine oil.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Start the engine and make the necessary adjustments.
Check for proper operation and leaks.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2021 AT 6:47 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MACKENZIEMOCOMBE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
The coolant/water leaks out less than a minute after putting it in the radiator and the coolant in the reservoir remains at the same level. Is there a possibility that the engine head is cracked and if so what is the price tag to solve this problem.
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Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AAP34798
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
The head gasket is probably broken around cyl 4, by the dist. and ignition coil. the coolant will be leaking out between the head and block and will start to spray the ignition coil and kill the engine(takes only 5 minutes or so during a warm up), and, you won't be able to get it going again until it dries(next day). that cyl. is the one that fails on these because the coolant is allowed to flow between the head and block, but, the others don't because of the gasket design. over time the gasket can get saturated by the coolant and it looses it's integrity, then fails.
the pics show a 2.4, 4cyl altima with this problem, however, the cyl bore was ok because of the ring aroung each one from the gasket and they kept the coolant out.
when changing the gasket . . .


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/400521_082509_20581_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/400521_082509_20591_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/400521_082509_20592_2.jpg

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Tuesday, May 25th, 2021 AT 6:07 PM (Merged)

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