I was told by my mechanic that I might possibly have cracked heads.

I had a thermostat replaced a few days ago because the thing was stuck and my car started overheating. Today, i noticed a check engine light and saw that i was overheating. I took it in to the place that did the thermostat install and they called me back to say that i have cracked heads.

Now, I'd like to know what is a cracked head and what causes cracked heads? How much should it cost on a 2000 Maxima?

He was saying how the engine has 120k miles on it so new heads would not be good.

I would really appreciate your thoughts. THanks!!

 

IMO, I would take it somewhere else..How in the heck does he know it's cracked heads and not a head gasket???
Either way it's gonna cost you some big bucks.
Cylinder Head

- Left . 1109038U00
. $671.92

2 - Right . 1104038U00
. $676.29

Right Bank . B
. 22.5 hours
Includes: R&I Cylinder Head, Transfer And Grind All Valves And Make All Necessary Adjustments.
Left Bank .
. 22.5 hours
Includes: R&I Cylinder Head, Transfer And Grind All Valves And Make All Necessary Adjustments.

Both Banks
. 28.8 hours
Includes: R&I Cylinder Head, Transfer And Grind All Valves And Make All Necessary Adjustments.

head gasket-----
Both Banks

. 22.5 hours

. . price for gaskets
- Right . 110442Y900
. $37.02

. .
Left . 110442Y905
. $41.02

 

I'm not sure if what i'm saying is all correct, but when the engine gets too hot the thermostat opens to let the coolent pass and cool the the engine. In your case the thermostat was broken (not letting the coolent pass) causing the engine to overheat, "which might have caused your head(s) to crack".
Did you see the tempeture gauge go too the top?

 

It's not that hard to see a crack!
But you brought up a good point "get it checked elsewhere!
(Let them point out the crack!)

 

"Cracked heads" refers to a crack (or multiple cracks) in the heads of your engine.

The heads (there are 2) are on top of the block at the front and back (of most fwd cars anyway), have multiple valves (24) that open and close to allow exhaust out and air in.

The cause of a cracked head usually is overheating of the engine. This overheating causes heating of the block at a rate greater than the heads and the resulting stresses then cause fractures in the metal of the heads.

If the head(s) are cracked, you should be able to at least see or hear a difference when your engine is running... Steam from under the hood, smell of antifreeze from under the hood and possibly the exhaust, engine running rougher and possibly knocking / making unusual noises, coolant leaking from an odd place (not the gasket area)...

I would get a second opinion from a good and HONEST mechanic. Don't tell him what the other mechanic has told you unless you trust him. Just have them look at it and make a decision as to what's wrong.

Personally, I'd check the head gaskets (which are under the head between the head and block) to make sure they aren't leaking. If the car has no coolant or is continually leaking (a lot of) coolant, it will overheat as well...

 

Thanks guys. I'm going to get a second opinion tomorrow.

There are no coolants leaking and the car sounds same and runs the same. Could a bad gasket cause the temperature to rise like that?

Worse case, bye bye maxima with all my bolt-ons. I might salvage some and sell it here before i trade it in somewhere and get a replacement. Financially, i'm not flourishing so i might have to down-grade.

 

how long were you driving around overheating?

 

bad gasket, cracked heads, cracked block, hole in the radiator, bad hoses, thermostat installed backwards, failure to bleed the cooling system of air after they installed the thermostat.....
Take your pic any of these can overheat the engine..
You can pressure test your cooling system for cheap at almost any shop...
Basically they take your radiator cap off and pressurize your cooling system to around 25 P.S.I (IIRC), and whereever the coolant starts leaking from is usually the problem.
..If you let it get to hot, def. kiss the heads and/or head gasket goodbye.

 

I've never in my life seen a head crack externally, usually they crack around the coolant galleys that go through the heads close to the combustion chamber. Unless they took the heads off and magnafluxed them I doubt the heads are cracked.

Most likely the heads are warped and leak coolant into the oil or combustion chamber from the overheating condition. Metal gaskets like the ones used in our engines do not eassily "blow". Usually the head gets distorted and warps creaking a leak spot. I've seen some severely overheated DOHC motors and ones with gaskets like ours did not show any signs of a blown head gasket, but warped cylinder heads.

Take the car somewhere else, or just sell it. Does it get low on coolant ? Top it off and drive it to a dealership and unload it on a diff car.

BTW how often did you change your coolant ? I tend to change mine quite frequently- before winter and before the summer again, and I use "blueish green" Honda coolant. I did my coolant flush yesterday and the stuff looked almost as good as the fresh coolant I poured in.

No gains from the Honda coolant- its free thats why I use it

 

Hey ask the place that replaced the thermostat to show you the old one or replace it yourself. Plus how you know they did it right? Basically he might be trying to make a buck of some one who know nothing about cars<--- no offense

 

Second opinion is needed, take it somewhere else (not a el-cheapo $35 an hour shop) and tell them you have an overheating problem and just had the thermostat replaced or unload it asap......Do not, I REPEAT, DO NOT let the car overheat to much.