Metal Head Gasket failure
Discussion
Went out and bought a Nissan 200SX S13 at the weekend which had a recent engine rebuild. I looked through all the photos and receipts of it being done and saw it had a complete headset along with a Cometic 1.9mm metal head gasket. We checked the car over and it seemed fine, indeed drove home without missing a beat. Checked it yesterday and saw oil in the header tank. I was hoping this was just sludge in the radiator but I've just had a phone call from the garage saying the head gasket has gone. Seeing as it was only replaced 1500 or so miles ago and it is a strengthened item I am a bit confused as to why this has happened. I haven't seen the car yet or spoken to them so all I'm going on is what I've been told. Could it have something to do with the car only having done very limited miles in the last year? Or if the head wasn't skimmed when the gasket was replaced could that have caused it? Or is there any other way oil could get in the cooling system? Any ideas appreciated
the metal HG is the tried and tested way on the 200sx motors these days, espcially the CA18DETs when running a fair bit of boost. the only issues ive ever heard of with MHGs (or std Nissan ones for that matter) is when the head or blocks warped. std pattern HGs have a habit of being crap, but cometics get thumbs up. some of our guys use them and swear by them (as oppsoed to at them...). id put my money on a warped head first, but worth checking the block is flat too. Generally the MHGs can be reused if its not damaged (unlike stock types) so again actually brings the costs down when compared with replacing std ones each time a motor comes apart.
Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
CNHSS1 said:
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he metal HG is the tried and tested way on the 200sx motors these days, espcially the CA18DETs when running a fair bit of boost. the only issues ive ever heard of with MHGs (or std Nissan ones for that matter) is when the head or blocks warped. std pattern HGs have a habit of being crap, but cometics get thumbs up. some of our guys use them and swear by them (as oppsoed to at them...). id put my money on a warped head first, but worth checking the block is flat too. Generally the MHGs can be reused if its not damaged (unlike stock types) so again actually brings the costs down when compared with replacing std ones each time a motor comes apart.
Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
he metal HG is the tried and tested way on the 200sx motors these days, espcially the CA18DETs when running a fair bit of boost. the only issues ive ever heard of with MHGs (or std Nissan ones for that matter) is when the head or blocks warped. std pattern HGs have a habit of being crap, but cometics get thumbs up. some of our guys use them and swear by them (as oppsoed to at them...). id put my money on a warped head first, but worth checking the block is flat too. Generally the MHGs can be reused if its not damaged (unlike stock types) so again actually brings the costs down when compared with replacing std ones each time a motor comes apart. Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
most late engines use this idea now,but face flatness is critical,where as the old composite gaskets tolerate slight warpage,the metal ones dont.That Daddy said:
CNHSS1 said:
the metal HG is the tried and tested way on the 200sx motors these days, espcially the CA18DETs when running a fair bit of boost. the only issues ive ever heard of with MHGs (or std Nissan ones for that matter) is when the head or blocks warped. std pattern HGs have a habit of being crap, but cometics get thumbs up. some of our guys use them and swear by them (as oppsoed to at them...). id put my money on a warped head first, but worth checking the block is flat too. Generally the MHGs can be reused if its not damaged (unlike stock types) so again actually brings the costs down when compared with replacing std ones each time a motor comes apart.
Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
he metal HG is the tried and tested way on the 200sx motors these days, espcially the CA18DETs when running a fair bit of boost. the only issues ive ever heard of with MHGs (or std Nissan ones for that matter) is when the head or blocks warped. std pattern HGs have a habit of being crap, but cometics get thumbs up. some of our guys use them and swear by them (as oppsoed to at them...). id put my money on a warped head first, but worth checking the block is flat too. Generally the MHGs can be reused if its not damaged (unlike stock types) so again actually brings the costs down when compared with replacing std ones each time a motor comes apart. Real depth of knowledge on the engines on sxoc.co.uk if you fancy a scout around the forums
most late engines use this idea now,but face flatness is critical,where as the old composite gaskets tolerate slight warpage,the metal ones dont.stevieturbo said:
And for sake of £100.....it would be a bit silly not to replace it.
what he said - with the aggro of getting it all apart itd be silly not to. at least the bolts and stuff wont be rusted solid if its been apart recently. would be a good opportunity for a new turbo and upgrades while you do it tho Just to update this, I've found out the head bolts weren't correctly torqued, so that is seemingly the cause of the subsequent failure. I'm getting the head skimmed and pressure tested Monday then refitting using a new gasket, just to be sure. I'll be using a standard composite one as several people I've spoken to have said there's no need for a metal gasket when I won't be running more than 1 bar of boost
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