FlaMark

Bad News...blown head gasket is forcing me to make some painful decisions---none of which are good and ultimately will costs me Big Bucks.

03, 3.5 Max. 95k miles, good condition other than HG. So, now i begin the decision making process of fixing it, or selling it as is. I have the following question(s)---if some of you would be so kind as to help me out.

1. Getting quotes from mechanics for HG jobs ranging from 1200-3200 (parts and all labor included---including sending the heads to machine shop). I don't think the guy who quoted me that low, knows what he's getting involved with,---so i need to get more details from him----AND i think he plans on leaving the car outside and doing the job between other jobs---so "maybe" that kinda makes sense. Is this price Range correct? What about that low ball offer----i know he's an experienced Mechanic, but i don't know if he's aware of what he's getting involved with.?
2. ALSO, time wise to fix is what i'm hearing bout 20-23hrs?
3. Pulling the Motor or keeping it in the car while repairing? Some Mechanics say they would do it in place---some say they would pull it.
4. Buying a motor, seems like they are running for 1200-1600 depending on mileage, etc. I've also seen them at Junkyards f/ wrecks for $350, but, don't know much about them or the COST and process of swapping one out?

I know you guys have a lot more experience with these motors than i do. Help me out here...which is the better way to go. Junk it, Repair or Replace the motor?

Thanks~

~m

mclasser

95K is early for a blown HG. These engines are oil burners but not known for eating HGs, AFAIK. Did the car frequently overheat? If so, you should look for the source of that if you haven't done so already. How did your mechanic come to conclusion that the HG is indeed blown?

You have to decide if it's worth dumping thousands of bucks into a 12 yr old car. Is the rest of the car in good shape, mechanically & cosmetically?

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, maybe you need to confirm that it is in fact a blown head gasket. What are the symptoms? Have you ruled out a clogged radiator? You should get second or 3rd opinions regarding a head gasket failure before you commit.

FlaMark

Hey Dudes

Did the following:
-block test (positive---changed the color of fluid from blue to yellow)
-bubbles in reservoir tank, and bubbles at Top of Radiator
-over-heating after 20-30 min drive
-white smoke from tailpipe for 10 mins at startup then stops
-had a Leak Down Test Done---20 % leakage in front 3 clys (2,4,6).
-Bought car about 1 yr ago...neglected by previous owner (old lady). 85k
-Coolant system loses bout 1qt of water every 100-150miles


-Radiator fins and grooves are old, could PROBABLY use a new 1 but seems to be circulating water from a test i did. Took the top hose off, and flushed the system...water looked like it was flowing through the top hose ok.

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

Oh man

In your situation then, I would go for a used motor, preferrably a 2004 or later VQ35. The 02s and 03s seemed to have alot of the pre-cat-disintegration-oil-rings issue, so a motor from those years is a huge gamble.

I would rather have a used DOHC, timing chained V6 that was built from factory than the same motor built afresh from other mechanics. Modern motors are just so complicated with too many possibilities of something going amiss during the rebuild process, and you probably won't find out until you are long past the short warranty period.

MikesChevelle

Agree /\

cornholio

iTrader: (1)

5.7 swap!

FlaMark

Just pulled the Rad.

Looked new on the outside and AT FIRST I wasn't going to go----but THEN changed my mind and went anyway to the Rad. Shop. Guy told me that Rad was 80-90% clogged! (this many have been the original issue that caused the repercussions) Getting a New Rad today----putting it in first thing tomorrow.

AS FAR as getting a New Motor----i think that is WAY MORE $ than repairing the Engine that i know. I sure as hell am not going to drop 6k on a NEW MOTOR---and buying a Used one, looks like 1500 bucks (avg.). UNLESS YOU CAN GET LUCKY (which i haven't been able to do lately)---AND get a super low mileage Motor (and then how do you know its low mileage), then what's the point. You still have to take the engine apart, and check the heads, and block anyway before YOU PUT IT IN.

What am i missing ?
(doesn't make "business sense" to put in a High Mileage Used Motor and finding a Low Mileage 3.5 is like finding a Needle in a Hay Stack).


~M

MikesChevelle

I think the best advice has already been given. Time to swap an LS V8 in there

FlaMark

(he says put an LS small block V8 in there!)....bahahahaa!

Why not just drop a Cadillac Northstar Motor in there---go all the way!


Ok...we got your opinion...thanks

NEXT!!!

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

You shouldn't really have to. Just make sure the shop selling you the used motor is reputable and has a decent warranty. I think you may be thinking old school where engines were much simpler AND much less reliable. Today's engines are not only way way more complicated, but they're also way more reliable, too. They're practically appliances now. Remember that manufacturers produce 100s of thousands of these motors.

FlaMark

Thks dw,

I've been playing with, buying and selling cars for longer than many of you guys have been on THIS PLANET. Granted, i'm not an expert on this particular Vehicle, HOWEVER, I live in a metropolis---6mill ppl. I speak with a few "big city" Nissan mechanics---guys who are doing cars all week long---5 days a week. THIS ISN'T old school----they KNOW what's goin on. I'm also a research specialist---i do my homework.

Mechanics have good and bad to say about buying USED motors, WITH WARRANTIES. You still have to check these motors before you put them in. Many times, they end up sending them back because after checking them, warped heads, cracked blocks, etc were found---ON WARRANTIED engines. You ain't gonna find out if a motor has a defective head, UNLESS a machine shop tests it. So then what?---you have to go through the hassle of shipping the Motor Back, waiting for a replacement, all the headaches involved, and checking the new motor AGAIN, etc. AND these motors are NOT low mileage. TRY AND FIND A LOW mileage Motor for these cars with under 100k???

COMPLETELY rebuilt Motors are more $. I did find one co. in Miami that wanted 2300 for a rebuilt motor....but that does not include Install. From what i understand, LKQ in Melborne does NOT rebuilt their motors. They just look them over, and send them out. Its your job to double check the heads, Block, etc. Putting them back together and installing them is another cost$. YOU'LL end up paying MORE for a USED Motor that may have more miles than your original.

Thanks for your input---appreciate it.

So right now---I still don't have all the facts---I'm gonna try an get more info from this guy who says he can do the job for 1200 bucks. He says he can do it for parts and labor, but I know the job is gonna be 20hrs +. Checking each head and resurfacing is $250@. Gasket Kit from Nissan is $350....that's $600 in parts alone (probably more for mis stuff). I don't think he knows what he's getting involved with.

LOL---even with these "professional mechanics"---i found out yesterday that my radiator was clogged....and has been for awhile. Even though the car ran cool, it was more than likely clogged during the 10mths that i've owned it. I've had the car worked on a few times---and no one mentioned changing the Rad.---haha.

What a Pain---
anyway...appreciate your comments.

~m

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

lol calm down. Jesus. Everybody that has posted is just trying to make sure you don't get screwed out your money. Don't get offended if something seems obvious to you, they didn't know you only have 15 post how were they suppose to know?

Your going on about spending more money on a used motor. We dont even know if you have an oil burner on your hands. yea the headgasket is one thing but a neglected 02-03 maxima not knowing if its burning oil. That is even a further tear down because the whole rotating assembly has to be pulled to replace the piston rings and rehone the cylinder walls.

But get another motor. As mentioned before get a +04 preferably something out of a 07 or 08 maxima. Get something out of a car that had a rear end accident and the insurance company just wrote off. Easiest thing. Compression test it and go. Get rid of your the pre-cats immediately, get 02 sims to get around CELs. Most oil burning issues has been tracked down to the pre-cats in 02-06 nissan period. Keep your main cat just to stay legal if that matters to you. The 02-03s didn't have EGRs, +04 did so delete that aswell NWP engineering sells a EGR block off kit. This way you dont have to crack open a motor and the motors are CHEAP. i can find solid working VQ35s all day for $500.

Now if you want to add power then we are going down another path lol but if its just to repair the car yea just buy a good used 07-08 maxima motor drop it in and keep moving. That WILL be cheaper then repairing the current motor. Anyway most shops will probably drop the motor to change the HG, Nissan does lmao. Remember like you said you are new to these cars we know what is cheaper and easier to do.

MikesChevelle

Do you just want to complain until someone pays for your repair?

Calm down, analyze the sound advice that has already been given and make your decision.

Combating the advice given doesn't yield new options

foodmanry

iTrader: (15)

Get a motor from the junkyard. If you have time to be a bit selective on mileage look for that. These motors, overall, are pretty bulletproof. The only ones that are a bit riskier are 02-03 due to the oil consumption. Other than that...you can't really go wrong.

acw

LOL Oh Man...i just went through this almost identical scenario. Blown HG, 03 q35, low miles. I don't blame the OP, who wants to put 3k into a car that will only fetch 3k on the street "(in good condition"). UNFORTUNATELY, these cars just don't bring in much resell value. I ended up dumping mine, got 2200 for it...and told the buyer he would be needing an HG job soon. He was ok with it because he was familiar with this motor and LIKES ripping cars up. MY CAR WAS in "excellent shape, low miles), perfect except for HG. FOR ME, it just wasn't worth it to sink 3k into rebuilding or buying a used motor and putting it in the car. I'M A BUSINESS MAN---i don't throw good money after bad. Some of you guys like tearing cars apart and putting them back together. NOT ME....i like to spend my free time at the beach. Anyway, i like these cars and now in the market for a 6th gen. I'm taking my $ and stepping up----NOT DOWN. I say sell the thing---don't throw good money after bad. my 2 cents.

FlaMark

Thanks Crush,

Yeah, i'm a little PO because i had the car checked before i bought it---and obviously, i trusted the wrong mechanic. HOWEVER, some of these comments make no sense (like dropping in a Ford LS v8----haha, lol). *While the LS v8 is a great motor, i don't think it would help the value of this car not to mention the Mods needed to accomplish that task.

In my case, Neglected means someone who did not drive the car (old lady hardly drove). The car doesn't burn too much oil---1 qt every 5k miles (OR every oil change).

Anyway, appreciate the input.

Don't know "where" you are finding VQ35 Motors for $500 all day long. I've looked (round the country). Best deal i'm finding on used Motor with low miles, 07 is $1350...i think shipping is another $200. If you want an install warranty, that's another $300---so you are looking at 1850 plus install and parts to install. Add 1k to pull old motor and install new one, and you got 3k into the deal. Granted, this Motor is from a Pro Co. that specializes in selling USED MOTORS, they warranty their products.

***I saw one for $350 in a Junk Yard---but it was a 02 that was smashed HARD in the front end. ALSO, no telling how many miles were on that one.

So, where can you get a decent VQ for $500?

Thanks again...
~m

cornholio

iTrader: (1)

i think his comment was intended to be a joke, at least that's how i interpreted it

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

No problem, I view neglect as not doing oil changes and basic maintenance just putting gas in it and thinking thats it. Cars do need to be driven atleast more than 30 mins once a week so not doing that is neglecting them aswell but not as much as not doing maintenance. But try this site:

http://www.car-part.com/

any year maxima over 04, +04 Nissan Muranos, +04 Nissan Quest, +04 Nissan Altimas, im sure there is a car im forgetting but those are all FWD VQs and will literally drop in outside of some of them having EGR valves. I can find them around my area for 500 on up. In fact the motor in my car is an "HR" out of a running 07 altima that i bought for $750, just put on my timing equipment and threw it in. Works great.

If you have a friend with a truck, just go get the motor yourself. I'm POSITIVE there is a good motor with in 1hr of you hovering between $6-700. I mean im so sure i'll put money down you can get a great motor for that price. So up to you what you want to buy or if you even want to repair the car. When just generally maintained VQs are like Hondas they absolutely refuse to break. So if you crack open a valve cover to a motor and it looks like this:



You most likely got a generally well maintained motor. That was the inside of my used motor i bought from a junk yard at 70K miles. We've had multiple of these motors over 200k, one of ours before an unfortunate incident with a tree had 350K. They do not die. So do not worry too much about mileage, get something that is under about 70k obviously. An ignition coil will go every now and then but general maintenance(coolant flushs, oil changes, NGK plugs, trans services) goes a LONG way.

acw

LOL...here's some good advice. (this was the guy who suggested you drop a LS v8 motor in there! haha.)
OP, keep in mind that most of the guys on this forum have resources, like a garage, not their only vehicle, young dudes who maybe don't work FT or are students, living at home, etc. If you work and this car is your only source of transpo, you won't be able to swap out a motor ECONOMICALLY. You'll have to shop for the motor (takes time), pick the thing up (time and $), find a mechanic and arrange the work (time and $), and then cross your fingers. Even then, financially, when you add up the numbers (even if you get one for $700 bucks, which I SERIOUSLY DOUBT), you'll have to find a mechanic who will drop the motor in and make sure its done correctly. Swapping a motor is not something everyone can do.

MikesChevelle

Umm Chevy makes the LS Motor, jokes on you

cornholio

iTrader: (1)

would you also suggest converting to awd or rwd? it'd only be a small amount of work right?

Crusher103

iTrader: (10)

Seriously where are you guys looking that you cant find good motors for $700? I really want to know because to me its easy to find decent motors. Look at this:

HR motor $750:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NISSAN-ALTIMA-Engine-3-5L-VIN-B-4th-digit-VQ35DE-07-08-/151768602637?hash=item23561d180d&vxp=mtr
07-08 $700
http://www.ebay.com/itm/07-08-Nissan-Maxima-VQ35DE-Engine-Motor-171K-VIDEO-INSIDE-/271964042230?hash=item3f5251f3f6&vxp=mtr
04 $700:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-NISSAN-MAXIMA-ENGINE-3-5L-VIN-B-4TH-DIGIT-VQ35DE-AT-5-SPEED-1909793-/262019852386?hash=item3d0199a862&vxp=mtr
I know those are high miles but seriously this is on ebay, where company's are taking into account ebay fees. If you go directly to their yard you get better prices. Find a motor contact the company using ebay or whatever and do the transaction off of ebay better price. Or use Car-part.com. It is literally that simple. this business of buying motors for like $1500, You wanna know what i can do with $1500 and using that money to buy a motor aswell? Oh i would be with Surra making 300whp NA.

Now if you are talking RWD VQs those are a different game. i have heard of people using FWD blocks for motor swaps instead of the RWD because of the price but they just bolt on all the RWD accessories so it doesnt matter just slightly different mounts and headers, but that to me is too much work just buy the RWD block.

MikesChevelle

Only if you are going to put a lift on it

FlaMark

Ok...thanks Man.

QUESTION(S)

1. -How much for "other parts" to SWAP a motor? You got Rear Seals that need to be changed, BUT what else will you need? New Gaskets all the way round. Main Seal, etc.
2. -Next, how do you do a compression test at the Junkyard? I searched the you tube videos, but came up empty.
3. -COMPATIBILITY, i see that motor is not compatible with the Nissan Max. (according to the engine matcher)...that would be a problem. I dont know WHY, BUT, if the seller won't confirm its a fit then I personally wouldn't buy it. Maybe there's some kinda adapter---but i don't know???

ALSO, cars at Junkyard at gonna be dead (no power) so mileage won't show. You gotta go by your discovery efforts. I SUPPOSE if you look really hard you can find one that is a good deal.

Thansk!

MikesChevelle

I think a reputable junkyard would record the mileage once they receive the car, they may have that info on hand