Repeated blown Setra head gaskets

[lelander66]

Hello out there. My name's Leland and I'm new to this forum. I have a problem with my E-16 engine in my 84 Sentra. I have replaced 3 head gaskets on it over the past 10 years. It has never overheated, but It always blows between cylinders 3 & 4. I even replaced the head the last time and did a complete overhaul and blew out the cooling passages in the block and replaced the radiator. I've been a heavy-line tech for Chevrolet for over 20 years, and I know engines pretty well, but this is the only Nissan I have experience with. Is there something weird about this engine, or some trick to correct this? You know, like drill a hole in the head somewhere or something like that? Product knowledge is key to strange problems! The fan comes on at the required temp and there isn't anything in the block that i can see that would cause a hot-spot. I appreciate any info you can give me!! Thanks!

[PEZi]

well welcome to the forum!

the location of the blow is common... but the repetitiveness of it is definitely odd

i'm sure someone will probably have a solution, but all i can really think of is timing

[Rev_D21]

Those engines have re-torquing the cylinder head as part of a routine service. Check your owners manual for the intervals at which this needs to be performed.

[lelander66]

Thanks PEZi720 and Reverend D21. Yeah, I did re-torque the head once, but not for a while, and even replaced all the head bolts during the overhaul. As far as timing, this little engine always pings like crazy. I need to keep the timing a bit back from the recommended setting, but maybe that's the problem.. (I always thought it a little weird to have to set it A.T.D.C instead of B.T.D.C like i'm used too.) It's to bad, too. If I advance the timing a little, it runs like a bat-outta-hell, but pings too much. I haven't pulled the head yet this time, so I'll keep you posted about what i find. Thanks again, guys!