I know it is kind of random, but does anyone know the exact flow pattern of coolant flow in the 7th gen Max VQ35DE? I ask because I am getting my headgaskets replaced under warranty and know they will be using the "updated" head gaskets, part number 11044-9N01A and 9N01B.

Does anyone know what the "update" was to the head gaskets?

I saw a write up on a VQ rebuild where they used the VQ35HR head gasket to get better coolant flow. Apparently, the inlet to the heads from the block are blocked off on the new gasket... this allows fluid to come up evenly around each piston and primarily by the hot exhaust valves. With the original design, the coolant would flow up from the block to the heads in the front of the engine and flow rearward. The problem is the coolant would heat up as it made its way to the rear cylinders causing excessive heat in the rear of the engine.

I have also seen pictures of a Murano, which supposedly has the same engine as the Maxima. The old head gaskets were still on and appeared to block the the inlet as mentioned above. But, I wanted to confirm if anyone knew if the Maxima used the same exact head gasket of the Murano.

I don't know enough about engines to really get the funtioning of the coolant system within the block and heads. From my research, it appears you can "block off" certain coolant channels to create the flow you want... but I'm not sure. Is this true?

I tried to explain everything the best I could... but if it doesn't make sense, please read this...

http://www.motoiq.com/magazine_artic...st-3-days.aspx

Just wondering if the 7th gen Maxima uses the old version of head gaskets or the newer ones shown in the article.

 

I love how the link makes no mention of JWT.

 

Go to page 3... they use JWT C9 cams.