I suspect that my current troubles with the car are due to a blown head gasket. Discoloration (rusty red color of coolant) in the cam gallery around the #2; #3 exhaust valves. Start; run; stall with period of 5 - 10 seconds, Wet sooty spark plugs - looks to be gasoline.

Doesn't display typical head gasket symptoms. No white smoke in the exhaust. No water in the oil, No oil in the coolant.

Is it possible to replace the head gasket on my 1984 Maxima L24e without removing the engine?

Having a biotch of a time removing the intake manifold.
I can get the top 5 bolts out of the intake manifold, but how on earth do I get the lower 6 nuts off of the studs?
Does it require contortionist capabilities?

-thanks
bob

 

perform a compression test... or leakdown test!

 

you can get a combustion gas test for the coolant. my Crown was acting up last year, coolant reservoir would flood on the highway but in the city it was fine and no sweet exhaust, coolant in the oil, nothing. did a combustion gas test on the coolant, passed at idle failed at 3500rpm. did the headgasket and all was good in the forest again

for starters i would do that and a compression test, but yes you should be able to do the HG with the engine still in there.

 

I've had the head off for some time now, and am getting ready to start putting things back together.

Question now

"Is there an approved sealant/cement for sealing the injector tip seals into the intake manifold?"

Thanks in advance
Bob

 

like the injector O-rings? i always just use a but of grease

 

Take some pictures....

 

Sorry!
No digital imaging devices.