Weird mis-matched symptoms need advice

[abazz009]

Hey everyone so i need some advice from the experts! for starters its a 93 N/A with 158k

Ok so i did a compression test following the How to http://www.twinturbo.net/nissan/300zx/f ... ow-To.html

i did everything but connect a battery charger.. anyways i got terrible Dry readings Cylinder #1 (121) #2 (121) #3 (90) #4 (80) #50 (80) #6 (121) now at the time i didnt bother with the wet test because i didnt have an oil squirt can, and i figured i was screwed anyways.

the next day my alternator dies so i replace that, it should also be noted that i feel like the car runs great normal idle, i do feel it lacks power in 2nd gear but since i have nothing to compare it to except a corolla how would i know?

So while driving it to class the other day probably took about 30mins in stop and go traffic about 85 degress outside. i arrive at my location and the radiator is bubbling(internally) and i notice a bit a coolent leaking on the passengers side engine bad area, i couldnt pinpoint it anymore then that, because it stopped within 5-6mins. after class i check the radiator because i figure i need to add coolent and its full still...

Now the exact thing i just said happened a week prior, except when i got out of class i had to put about a gallon of coolant in.. also didnt notice any leakage that time.

all coolant lines under the plenum where deleted and i did the loop with new silicon tube a few months ago.

so my thoughts area head gasket going bad (worse around the 3 bad cylinders)which would also contribute to low compression, now of course piston rings are also probably not in good shape either.

but i dont seem to be getting any other symptoms of a bad head gasket milky oil, puffs of smoke from exhaust, also i was driving the car in 100+ degree weather with no issue a few months ago. and the bubbling of the radiator has happened every monday but not on thursday (same drive, same traffic)

any thoughts on my issues? im thinking of just doing an engine rebuild (tough im sure) at first i was just gonna do the TT swap but the rebuild kits for the TT are more then double the price. ontop of still needing a few more things (fuel pump,ecu,inter-coolers,rebuilt turbos, oil pan, oil pump ect.) since it would have to be one of those "JDM" engines.

thanks in advance for any helpful thoughts

[NolimitZ32]

Go get a block tester from autozone and look up a how to on youtube, this is a 97% sure way to conclusively tell if you have a HG leak.

[abazz009]

Hey nolimit, so i rented the block tester and bought the test fluid, the car was already a little warm drove it like 10 miles,
i attempted the test on the radiator but the car just continuously spits up fluid when the cap is off(which i assume is normal?)

so i put the cap back on and tried to get it to work on the overflow tank held it there for 8-10mins with no luck fluid kept its blue color,

the tester itself barely fits in the small overflow hole, which may be part of my problem? i watched a few videos on how to use the tester. they only said take the engine up to operating temperature then a few removed the radiator cap then others used the overflow.

[NolimitZ32]

If it's spitting up fluid from the radiator then you have a major leak in the system, likely the HG. Do a warm compression test to confirm but I'm pretty sure both of your HGs are toast since you have bad readings on both heads.

[abazz009]

A little update, yesterday i re-did the block test from a cold engine, so installed the block tester on radiator then started and let engine run for about 30 mins(reving up a few times) while trying to get that liquid to turn yellow, no luck never turned yellow,

have yet to do the hot compression test still will do , if my hot compression number drastically improve what would that tell me Vs my cold numbers?

[NolimitZ32]

Tells you that you have a tired engine and should look at a rebuild. Do you not have milkshake?

[gdoto_520]

Im having a similar issue. I am trying BLUE DEVIL head gasket sealer and the radiator and block sealer. Ill keep you all posted and let you know if it seals my head gasket if it isnt to worn out already.

[NolimitZ32]

All of those fluids are temporary bandaids that end up doing more harm in the long run. If your head gasket is blown, replace it before you overheat and warp or crack a head. If your radiator is leaking, replace that.