1996 VH45DE Head Gasket Job

[born2shift]

What else should I change when doing a head gasket change on a 1996 VH45DE?
I am thinking
Gasket Set
water pump
all belts
hoses how many? All I can get to?
valve job
plane the head
spark plugs
fuel filter

What about the timing chain or oil pump?
Also whose gasket set would you suggest I am leaning towards OEM? Where should I source them from scottsdale infiniti? I am in Los Angeles, Ca. Thanks.

[Q451990]

What happened to kill the head gasket? That's a very rare failure.

I'd skip the valve job unless you see an obvious problem... my understanding is that it's very difficult to get the seats ground on three angles correctly... I assume you have the Factory Service Manual - www.nicoclub.com/FSM/

If the head isn't warped I wouldn't plane it either...

A used take-out tends to be the better option on the old Qs, but a '96 could be very difficult to find. I don't know if you could bolt the accessories on a 94-95 or not. I'm not sure how they blocked off the VVT openings on the heads... if it's just an extra insert on the rocker cover, you might be able to use your covers on a different engine?

Heath

[OwnerCS]

How many miles does it have? If you are going under the plenum, might as well replace the knock sensors and possibly the KS harness if it shows wear. Also, the front O2 sensors should be easy to reach with the heads off (if like a 91 model). A full set of under plenum rubber can be expensive. I believe Scottsdale has a kit with all the hoses as a package.

[born2shift]

It has just under 94,000 miles on it. Actually all the rubber and the engine bay look pretty good. There is no overheating and plenty of power. I don't see oil in the radiator or coolant reservoir. I don't see milkshake in the oil dip stick, but there are tiny bubbles. I also have white smoke coming from the exhaust. That tells me it is water/radiator fluid. That is why I am thinking head gasket.

It is OBDII so I still need to hook it up for a diagnostics. However I am just preparing for the worst right now and planning the parts. When I first test drove it I did not notice anything. I drove it home 30 miles away and then I noticed the white smoke. There is also a rough idle when reversing and sometimes at idle, so I am also thinking about the AAIC(IACV). Someone said it also might be a leak in the fuel system or a bad injector. I smell fuel in the cabin. Just a PITA of crap right now.

[OwnerCS]

Your white smoke sounds like the issue I had soon after I let the car set and only ran it for short runs. Basically the suitcase (rear) muffler had filled with water from condensation. I never really burned out all of the condensation that had built up during the short runs. I quickly had the suitcase muffler removed and replaced with straight pipes like you see from Brew-Q's post and you can find on Youtube as Q45 muffler delete. The muffler shop guy said the suitcase muffler was full of water when he removed it.

I remember buying a special tester for the radiator that sniffed exhaust fumes if a blown head gasket had occurred. The test did not show a blown head gasket.

I would run your Q long enough burn off any water in the suitcase muffler or remove it before going any further down the head gasket road over white exhaust smoke.