Hello,I am new to the site I have a question maybe someone could help me out
with.I got a 95 maxima that is showing some signs of a blown head gasket.
Symptoms are antifreeze in oil,some white smoke out the tailpipe,overheating
the only thing not there is loss of power it still has plenty of power no sluggishness ect...takes a few minutes to start though and has a little bit rough idle. In my past experiences working on cars most vehicles that have a blown head gasket displays some power/driveability loss this one dont.what are the chances that it could be a intake gasket instead?would it be doing the same thing?any help would be appreciated I am pretty sure it is a head gasket just need input from others.Thanks,Steve

 

Our intakes don't pass coolant through it like older engines used to. IIRC our coolant flows just through the block, if it's anywhere else you've either got a bad water pump (if it's leaking past the bearings/shaft you'll get it in your oil since it runs off the timing chain, -usually- you'll see it on the ground though) or head gasket.

I suggest you get a combustion leak tester if you suspect the head gasket and go from there, that way you'll have a definitive answer before throwing money at it.

 

It could just be damaged. It hard to fully blow a HG on the 4th gen, the engine shuts off before it gets too hot. I would def get OEM or a thicker aftermarket one though. Dont cheap out

 

Ok thanks
Yea it has absolutely no antifreeze leaks
will do a combustion leak check to make sure its the head gasket
might pull a few plugs first and check them

 

Yea while your in there do some other maintenance items as well