Dear All,

My Infiniti I30, 1997 with VQ30DE engine blown the head gasket. Upon inspection the tech said that my cylinder block is warped. Buying a new one here (Indonesia) is too costly and takes to long. So he milled down the block and now I was told that the piston extrude about 0.7mm above the deck. He suggested using triple layer of head gasket to fix the problem or milling down the piston. I believed they over milled the block and now I am stucked with a choice:

I need help on information about original deck clearance of the un milled block and any suggestion which route should I take without, of course replacing the cylinder block ? How safe it is to milled down the piston ? And What is the maximum depth can you milled off the piston ?

I trully appreciate any information that any of you can provide me ..

Thanks,

Sam Ali

 

I find it hard to believe that doing all that machine work on the engine was cheaper than replacing the engine with a low mileage used one.

Anyway, I don't think cutting off the top of the piston to make up for the fact that he cut too much off the block is a good idea. You will be chasing problem after problem to make up for shoddy repair work.

My advice is to start hitting up junk yards looking for another engine.

 

I planned to do that, however, this car is very limited here in Indonesia. I found few junk yard in the US that had this engine, but the shipping will be an issue. Anyway, seems like I need to find another engine...

Thanks,

Sam Ali

 

Well, I have an extra cylinder block. I don't know how much the shipping on it would be, much less than the entire engine I'm sure. I live in California, I don't know how much you would be willing to pay for it but the offers on the table.

-Chris

 

Warped block..? I could believe the cylinder head warped...but the block..? Not to say it couldn't happed, but it has to be rare. I think you need to find a different mechanic for your next repair.

One of us will try to check a service manual for the deck height....but .030"/.7mm doesn't sound like much when you take in gasket thickness and any domed shape inside the cylinder head into account...but perhaps there is a squish are that will interfere....you should shoot for .015-.020" of squish clearance minimum.

Anyway....motorcycles used multiple layer head gaskets all the time....though the gasket is designed for this. The outer plys have a coating and preseed-in bead to help create a seal...the middle layer is just a shim.

I can't garuantee a stack of three gaskets intended to work individually would seal properly.

Cometic Gasket here in the US will make custom copper or steel gaskets of any thickness you want. They have a water jet machine that will cut a new one as it traces the old. There have to be other places in your part of the world that can do that type of work.

Good luck,
John

 

Sure, I would be interested in your block assuming it is in good condition. Shipping need to be arranged from my side working with forwarder that imports to Indonesia. Would you contact me thru my email: samali@ivosys.com

Thanks

 

I have contacted GREDDY for that however, they make the VG30 head gasket up to 2.0mm, I do not know if the VG30 Head gasket is the same for VQ30 ? Locally they may be able to make one but the workmanship and material quality is unknown...

Thanks

 

so.. Sam Ali, your car comes equiped with the MEVI right? do you know ebough about your car to explain how infinity wired you car? Just kidding.

Well, good luck with your I30.

 

I am not sure about MEVI. I have read about MEVI, and does not know how to tell if it has MEVI. FYI most VQ30 engine is used in ASIA is Nissan Cefiro 3.0 GV and in my country Infiniti I30 (A32) body. Anyway to tell if it has MEVI version engine ?

 

this is a picture of an american maxima with MEVI installed (unfortunaly is painted black, not oem silver)



This is a pic of an american maxima stock version (except the intake)


can you compare to your car's

well it is not really important.. just curious.

BTW how is your car?

 

Based the image you send me , I can confirm it is MEVI.

I check on the CAR today and the car fired up with 3 layers of head gasket, but still some noise on the timing chain area that needed to be fixed. So will see, how the head gasket hold. But regardless, I will be in the hunt for a new block or used engine just in case as backup

I am trying to include the picture but does not kow how yet. So no picture for now..