repair info

[lcurran429]

My head gasket needs to be replaced. I checked the fact manuals, but the info is vague, and I can't see the diagram of the timing marks clearly enough to be able to set them up. I bought an extended warranty when I bought this car, but the dealer is doing the avoidance dance. I talked with the service advisor today, and he agreed with me about the head gasket.

They want me to put it in the shop for a few days, and they will order a new coil. I told them I swapped the plug and coil with cyl 1, but the code keeps coming back cyl #4 misfire. Plus the coolant is vanishing. Had to add a gallon in the last month...no sign of an external leak.

Worst comes to worst I'll do the bar's leak treatment, but that's a last resort. Any info is appreciated.

[RED_DET]

No signs of white smoke?

[lcurran429]

It only misses at start up for a few seconds. I haven't noticed alot of white smoke. It does put out a little white smoke on the occasions it misses on start up. It doesn't always miss on start up, maybe 1 in four starts. I have to assume it's a head gasket with the anti-freeze level droping, with no external leaks. Thanks for the post. Have you an oppinion?I've swapped plugs, and coils with #1, but the code still calls for a #4 MISFIRE.

Nissan is trying to blame it on the coil, even though I've told them I've swaped plugs, and coils. I think I have a long struggle with nissan. Can't say I blame them. It's a difficult car to change a head gasket on. I found better diagrams in the em section of the factory manuals, so now I have a good look at all timing marks. Still dreading doing this out in the driveway.

Thanks again appreciate you taking the trouble to post.

[yellowspecv02]

If it is head gasket problem, not matter how many new coil and spark plugs you replace, the problem is still there until you replace the head gasket.Yes, replace the head gasket is a lot of labor. Expect leaving your car in dealer for few days. You should not worry about it since you got warranty. Let them fix it, but don't expect they will fix it right at the first time. A lot of time they do not know how to fix it.

Leak treatment will not solve the problem

You see white smoke because you burn coolant when you start your car. Burning coolant will definitely ruin the oxygen sensors. You might want to try get dealer to replace them under warranty. But most of the time they will not replace them under warranty unless the SES light for O2 sensors is on.

Modified by yellowspecv02 at 10:45 AM 7/29/2009
Modified by yellowspecv02 at 10:47 AM 7/29/2009