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Blown Head Gasket
http://www.warthogterritory.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=13265		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Racegal8 [ 25 Jul 2009, 18:52 ]
Post subject:  Blown Head Gasket
So i have a 2003 Nissan sentra gxe 1.8L with what was diagnosed today as a blown hed gasket in cylinder #1 They are say $1500-$1800 to fix, anyone know if this is about rihgt or if i'm getting screwed?

Any tips woudl be appreciated.
Author:  jackb [ 26 Jul 2009, 00:39 ]
Post subject: 
How do they give a range instead of an exact price? They aren't quoting you the book time for man hours, but the actual cost of what they think it will take?
If they plan on charging you the actual hours it takes, if a problem pops up, 1,800 can easily turn into 2 grand....
If they charge you the book hour rate, well if they get it done early, money in the bank, if problems arise, then its their problem.

Labor is a mofo. Never done a head gasket myself, but I would guess it to be a good 6 hour job. Is it definitely the gasket and not the head? If the head is warped, it will need to be machined.

The cost of the parts are relatively cheap - new gasket and bolts is pretty much it. Your really paying for the labor.
I do everything on my vehicles myself, but 15-1,800 sounds kinda high. IDK. Labor is very location dependent.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 26 Jul 2009, 04:42 ]
Post subject: 
Yeah it sounded a bit steep but honestly i don't know anything about head gaskets. I'm not even sure how it was blown, it was just giving us some starting issues on/off then the check engine light came on.....

The guy quotes us the price and thinks it would take at least 2-3 days due to sending it out to a machine shop. From what i gathered they just ran the engine diagnosis and not took anything apart so how he is sure it has to be sent out is beyond me.

All my car knowledge came from sniper when he taught me to work on the Porsche, lol he never taught me anything about head gaskets.

Ah well i guess we venture into this issue next week and see what happens.
Author:  jackb [ 26 Jul 2009, 08:24 ]
Post subject: 
Head gaskets don't just \"go bad\", particularly not on newer cars. They need to do a compression test. It could be something as simple as no ignition in the #1 cylinder. Or as crappy as maybe a broken crank.
It is impossible to know if the head needs machining until after it is off. If it didn't overheat, I'd be surprised if its warped.
Find another mechanic. If they just pulled the codes and said you need a new head gasket, their next step is going to be to try and sell you headlight fluid, horn oil and muffler bearings.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 26 Jul 2009, 19:34 ]
Post subject: 
They charged us almost $100 for diagnosis, would they have done a compression test?

The car has has starting issues for years now sometimes taking several seconds of crank before it starts. Dealerships and mechanics all have said that there was no problems, could this have lead to it?

A bit of research online shows that 2003-2005 nissan sentra the biggest issue is blown head gaskets so i'm guessing that the original equipment was crap.

We deciding to have this done, should i be havng them do the spark plugs and timing belt as well?

We really appreciate all this information.
Author:  jackb [ 26 Jul 2009, 22:35 ]
Post subject: 
Code-pulling is free at places like Advance and NAPA, so for $100 I sure hope they did a compression test.

I wouldn't say the starting issued lead to the gasket, but its *possible* that the gasket lead to the starting issues. But you don't have a problem like a head gasket for years without other symptoms, like coolant level, or heat inop.

50/50 on the timing belt. It really depends on how many miles are on this car and how many more you plan on putting on it. One school of thought would say since your already that deep into the motor, go ahead and knock it out. The other says that the timing belt should last 75-100,000 miles, so why bother. If you're considering having the timing belt knocked out, consider the water pump as well, since a lot of the work to do that is done with the timing belt... you see how long this could go on for?

Remember, my advice is worth exactly what you are paying for it, so get some other opinions. I'd still shop around on where to get this done for a better price if I were you.

Maybe you should consider our latest gov't charity program \"cash for clunkers\". It's like 4 grand tax credit on a new car that gets better mileage than the one you have, so long as its running (it just has to be running AFAIK, on its last legs still counts) and pick up like a base model Civic or something. You know the details, is it really worth throwing almost 2 grand at this car?
Author:  Racegal8 [ 27 Jul 2009, 04:39 ]
Post subject: 
It my boyfriends car, and we are in the process of trying to find/buy a house so we figure at this point since the car is only 6 years old put out the money now and not have to make any car payments.

Yeah i checked into it, they did do the compression test. Currently it has 74,000 miles on it, so i'm guessing we might as well do the timing belt since he plans to run the car until it blows up. We are hoping to get another 5 years out of it.

I'll check into other mechanics though. We had been using a big chain place called STS (not sure if there are any your way)
Author:  Old Chief [ 27 Jul 2009, 10:53 ]
Post subject: 
That's not an outrageous price to replace the head gasket assuming they do all that's supposed to be done and that includes machining the head. If you've got the head off the car always have it surface planed, it's not that expensive and assures a good job. As to replacing the timing belt, that's a given. The belts themselves are reasonably cheap (less than $50 usually) and it's already off the car so there's no labor involved. I would, however, check with your local Nissan dealer to see what they quote for a price to do the whole job.

I don't think replacing the head gasket is going to cure your starting problem. From the symptoms, I'd be looking at the fuel system..starting with fuel pump pressure. I'd also check the fuel rail pressure regulator.

JackB is right, $100 is a rip off to read codes. Hell, for that kind of money head to your local auto supply chain, buy a damn code reader and check them yourself. My kid's Audi throws codes all the time, most are just nuisance codes though when I see things like mis-fires it tells me he's been romping on it..I've no idea where he gets that from :roll:

OC
Author:  Racegal8 [ 27 Jul 2009, 22:24 ]
Post subject: 
They did do a compression test i checked the paperwork, and we are going through the dealership tomorrow night. Unfortunately there is no warrenty left but the dealer surprisingly had the best price of the 3 mechanics we checked.

I did learn something, this car doesn't have a timing belt it has a chain and that doesn't need to be replaced. I will be getting the plugs/wires done too just to be safe.
Author:  jackb [ 28 Jul 2009, 00:02 ]
Post subject: 
Hmm, I didn't think timing chains were common anymore. I remember I used to have an old Nissan pickup, (maybe an 88, It was long before it was called the Frontier) and it had a chain. IIRC, its not the chain that wears, but the sprockets it runs on.
Author:  gifted [ 30 Jul 2009, 02:20 ]
Post subject: 
A lot of Japanese engines have belts. Can't remember why, but most domestic engines have chains. I do wonder if there's a refit to put a chain on a belt engine.

Notice I said engine, not car. Dad had a Ford Escort that messed up a piston because the belt went. Can't remember who made the engine, but it was Japanese.
Author:  79cb750f [ 02 Aug 2009, 22:42 ]
Post subject: 
Motor's got a chain. $1800 for a head gasket? Ridiculous. 12 hours max and parts. $250 or so. Unless you have a burnt/bent valve. (Exhaust valve) Even then, changing a valve guide isn't a big deal. BEFORE it gets taken apart, the definitive check is while the engine's warmed up, putting an exhaust gas emission sniffer near the open radiator cap and checking for hydrocarbons in the hot coolant. I used to do a 4g63 Mitsu before lunch. I guarantee there's a guy at a Nissan Dealer who can do a Sentra head gasket in six.
The dealer wants to retire off your car.

ASE certified since 1990.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 05 Aug 2009, 00:42 ]
Post subject: 
This was a private mechanic that said it was the head gasket and after 1.5 days at the dealership it turns out the head gasket is fine the starting issues are all coming from a bad fuel pump so we replaced that and we'll see where we end up.

Thanks for all the tips.
Author:  79cb750f [ 05 Aug 2009, 01:03 ]
Post subject: 
Fuel pump? Good call. Your wallet's gotta be $1000 happier.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 06 Aug 2009, 01:33 ]
Post subject: 
Yep it was 1100 when all was said and done, but we also did the plugs and cleaned the throttle body and all that good stuff. Car seems to be running much smoother now.
Author:  M21 Sniper [ 15 Aug 2009, 23:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Blown Head Gasket
Racegal8 wrote:
So i have a 2003 Nissan sentra gxe 1.8L with what was diagnosed today as a blown hed gasket in cylinder #1 They are say $1500-$1800 to fix, anyone know if this is about rihgt or if i'm getting screwed?

Any tips woudl be appreciated.

That is WAY too much money.

Get it towed to me, i'll get it taken care of much cheaper. Send me a pm for my phone number.
Author:  M21 Sniper [ 15 Aug 2009, 23:27 ]
Post subject: 
Racegal8 wrote:
Yep it was 1100 when all was said and done, but we also did the plugs and cleaned the throttle body and all that good stuff. Car seems to be running much smoother now.

Oh jeez, next time send me an email. I'm in the car business!
Author:  Racegal8 [ 17 Aug 2009, 22:27 ]
Post subject: 
Yeah i thought about calling you snipe, Trust me i'll be calling you next time.....besides i miss you. How long has it been?
Author:  M21 Sniper [ 18 Aug 2009, 01:53 ]
Post subject: 
It's probably close to 2 years now since we've hung out.

Shoot me a pm ill give you my new number.

xox naughty girl.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 18 Aug 2009, 23:23 ]
Post subject: 
Actually i thought longer, last time i was there i had just bought the GTO right, and that was over 3 years ago...

Will do.

:)
Author:  M21 Sniper [ 20 Aug 2009, 20:33 ]
Post subject: 
Yep, guess it has been about 3 years.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 14 Sep 2009, 04:50 ]
Post subject: 
So its been about 2 months since nissan \"fixed\" my boyfriends car, i noticed this weekend that again the coolant is down to the minimum line.

Am i missing something, nissan swore to me that the head gasket was fine and the car just needed a fuel pump and a throttle body cleaning and spark plugs since the car passed the compression test. Is there another way i can check? I was under the car this weekend and looking for leaks in the coolant container or leaky hoses etc and found nothing. The radiator is full up fine, im confused.....

I could use some help.
Author:  Weasel_80-204 [ 14 Sep 2009, 17:20 ]
Post subject: 
Think with your dipstick Heather!

Seriously though, yank the dipstick and see if the oil is milky colored. If it is, you're getting coolant in the oil. That'd be a good indication your head gasket is FUBAR'd.
Author:  Racegal8 [ 15 Sep 2009, 04:58 ]
Post subject: 
We just got an oil change in his nissan on Saturday and i saw the low coolant level Saturday night. The oil/dipstick was actually the 1st think i checked and it was its normal color. No looking like there was any contaminant.

I've never owned a Nissan, does anyone know if its common for a 6 year old car to use up coolant that fast?
Author:  M21 Sniper [ 15 Sep 2009, 21:19 ]
Post subject: 
If it ran hot the system might have discharged some coolant.

Just monitor it and see if it goes below the minimum line.
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