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Headgasket replace rb20det - can engine stay in?

predator

By predator,
in Engines & Forced Induction

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predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
Posted

Just a quick one..

Thing the headgasket may possibly be gone in one of my cars. Doesn't seem to be oil, but lot of bubbles. I know one of the coolant lines is split - could this be introducing air into the radiator??

If I need to, can I replace the headgasket without removing the whole engine?

I am thinking I can just remove the head, replace the gasket, then bolt the head back in, whilst the block stays in the engine bay. Is this achieveable?

How much is a replacement nissan genuine (or close to it) RB20DET gasket these days?

Thanks.

Timd Community Regular

Timd

Posted
Posted

Head gasket can be done with block still in the car no worries. Its a bitch of a job, not that its hugely difficult but it can quickly snowball when you find you have to replace things(which is a good thing really) worst part of it all is getting the exhaust manifold off without snapping bolts. good chance to do timing belt while your there

good luck, tim

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I was thinking just taking off turbo and leaving the ex manifold on too to make that easier :)

Intake manifold will be fun however.

I am not too sure at this stage, as I just stuck the compression meter in a couple of cylinders and it's not massively down. Should I check all cylinders?

siksII Grand Master

siksII

Posted
Posted

vrs kit for rb25det(should be similar) is $250 from nissan and yes u can do it as said before with the engine still in.

you might find a few exhaust man studs broken as well as cracks in the manifold, have a good look.

look around where the head meets the block for coolant leaks, does your coolant level drop a lot quickly?

predator Grand Master

predator

Posted
  • Author
Posted

All cylinders were around 130psi give or take 5%.. my gauge always reads about 130psi on previous engines that have been in good condition.

So will that mean it is not the head gasket? I drained a fair bit of water whilst removing the hose.. no sign of oil in there. It just foams up the top which almost looks a bit browny (although that could be a bit of rust)

I did mix coolants the other day (i know you're not *meant to*) - because the hose was leaking I just had to top it up with some other coolant lying around go get by.. could there be a chemical reaction going on between the different coolants?

There hasn't been any signs of abnormal heat in the engine or anything like that recently.

As you can see I'm almost half way there (replacing a bad water hose) underneath plenum. So if is head gasket, maybe will just leave it apart and do the whole lot.

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