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Official Failed Head Gasket Registry

2K views 3 replies 2 participants last post by  Drummerkiddd09 
#1 · (Edited)
I'm putting together this registry to provide a place for us all to document information about our head gasket failures. It's might hope that this registry will lead to patterns that could help us identify why the problem reoccurs. :) I'm primarily interested in the 3.3L V6 VG33E and VG33ER engines (I don't know if the same reoccurring issue exists with the 2.4L KA24DE), but please add your info if you have a failure on the 2.4L also.

The template below allows for up to two failures, if you have experienced two failures while you've owned the vehicle or know the previous owner also experienced a failure. This will help to determine how far the reoccurring failures go (I've seen some online discussion of up to 3 failures on the same engine). An example of optional answers is in the template below too.

[LET ME KNOW IF YOU FIND PROBLEMS WITH THE TEMPLATE AND I WILL EDIT IT]

The information will be organized like this:
1. YEAR: [1999-2004]
2. MODEL: [XTERRA, FRONTIER]
3. ENGINE: [VG33E, VG33ER, KA24DE]
4. MILEAGE (approx) WHEN GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED: [APPROX,MILEAGE]
5. DATE (approx) OF GASKET FAILURE: [APPROX,DATE]
6. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED: [RH, LH, NOT SURE] (LH=left-hand or driver-side, RH=right-hand or passenger side)
7. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 AND 2, 5 AND 6, NOT SURE]
8 COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY: [YES, NO]
9. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS: [155, 145, 155]
10. EVIDENCE OF FAILURE: [BROWN MILKY COLOR ON DIP STICK, DRAINED OIL AND FOUND MIX OF COOLANT IN OIL (BROWN MILKY), EXHAUST GAS COMING FROM RADIATOR WHEN CAP REMOVED, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM EXHAUST PIPE, ETC]
11. DID YOU REPAIR IT YOURSELF OR WITH FRIENDS?: [YES, NO]
11a. IF NO, WHO REPAIRED IT?: [DEALERSHIP, SMALL SHOP, SOLD IT]
12. REPAIR PROCEDURES: [SEE BELOW, I DIDN'T DO IT]
12a. HOW DID YOU CLEAN THE BLOCK-SIDE SURFACE OF THE HEAD? [SOLVENT, METAL RAZOR BLADE, PLASTIC RAZOR BLADE, WIZZY WHEEL, 3M ROLOC DISC, SAND PAPER, OTHER TOOL (please specify)]
12b. ID YOU MEASURE THE HEAD FOR FLATNESS?: [YES, NO]
12c. IF YES, WHAT WAS THE MEASUREMENT FOR FLATNESS (0.0000" is completely flat)?: [.005"]
12d. DID YOU HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED AT A MACHINE SHOP?:[YES, NO]
12e. IF YES, HOW MUCH WAS MILLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAD?: [.010"]
12f. DID YOU MEASURE THE NOMINAL HEIGHT OF THE HEAD (from valve cover surface to bock surface)?: [YES, NO]
12g. IF YES, WHAT IS THE HEIGHT (spec is from 4.205"-4.220")?: [4.118"]
13. IS THIS A FIRST TIME FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE?: [YES, NO]
14. DO YOU THINK THE GASKET FAILED DO TO IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE? [YES]
17. IF YES, WHAT MAY HAVE GONE WRONG?: [I REUSED THE HEAD BOLTS]
18. MILEAGE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE: [APPROX,MILEAGE]
19. DATE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE: [APPROX,DATE]
20. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED THIS TIME:
21. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED:
22. COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY:
23. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS:
24. EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
25. COPY ADDITIONAL DATA FROM REPAIR PROCEDURE (if any):
25a.
26. NOTES: [ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD]
27a.
28. QUESTIONS YOU HAVE: [ANY QUESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE ANSWERED ABOUT YOUR FAILURE]
28a.


Please copy/paste the following information into your reply and add data any notes or questions you may have. ;)

1. YEAR:
2. MODEL:
3. ENGINE:
4. MILEAGE (approx) WHEN GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED:
5. DATE (approx) OF GASKET FAILURE:
6. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED?:
7. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?:
8 COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?:
9. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS:
10. EVIDENCE OF FAILURE:
11. DID YOU REPAIR IT YOURSELF OR WITH FRIENDS?:
11a. IF NO, WHO REPAIRED IT?:
12. REPAIR PROCEDURES:
12a. HOW DID YOU CLEAN THE BLOCK-SIDE SURFACE OF THE HEAD?:
12b. ID YOU MEASURE THE HEAD FOR FLATNESS?:
12c. IF YES, WHAT WAS THE MEASUREMENT FOR FLATNESS (0.0000" is completely flat)?:
12d. DID YOU HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED AT A MACHINE SHOP?:
12e. IF YES, HOW MUCH WAS MILLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAD?:
12f. DID YOU MEASURE THE NOMINAL HEIGHT OF THE HEAD (from valve cover surface to bock surface)?:
12g. IF YES, WHAT IS THE HEIGHT (spec is from 4.205"-4.220")?:
13. IS THIS A FIRST TIME FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE?:
14. DO YOU THINK THE GASKET FAILED DO TO IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE:?
17. IF YES, WHAT MAY HAVE GONE WRONG?:
18. MILEAGE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
19. DATE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
20. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED THIS TIME?:
21. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?:
22. COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?:
23. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS:
24. EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
25. COPY ADDITIONAL DATA FROM REPAIR PROCEDURE (if any):
25a.
26. NOTES: [ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD]
27a.
28. QUESTIONS YOU HAVE:
28a.


Thanks!!
 
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#2 · (Edited)
OK, I'll start....

1. YEAR: 2001
2. MODEL: XTERRA
3. ENGINE: VG33E
4. MILEAGE (approx) WHEN GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED: 120,000 MILES
5. DATE (approx) OF GASKET FAILURE: OCTOBER, 2012
6. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED?: NOT SURE
7. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?: NOT SURE
8. COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?: NO
9. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS: NONE
10. EVIDENCE OF FAILURE: OVERHEATING. DEALER CONFIRMED IT.
11. DID YOU REPAIR IT YOURSELF OR WITH FRIENDS?: NO
11a. IF NO, WHO REPAIRED IT?: DEALERSHIP
12.
12. REPAIR PROCEDURES: NONE, I DIDN'T DO IT.
12a. HOW DID YOU CLEAN THE BLOCK-SIDE SURFACE OF THE HEAD?:
12b. DID YOU MEASURE THE HEAD FOR FLATNESS?:
12c. IF YES, WHAT WAS THE MEASUREMENT FOR FLATNESS (0.0000" is completely flat)?:
12d. DID YOU HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED AT A MACHINE SHOP?:
12e. IF YES, HOW MUCH WAS MILLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAD?:
12f. DID YOU MEASURE THE NOMINAL HEIGHT OF THE HEAD (from valve cover surface to bock surface)?:
12g. IF YES, WHAT IS THE HEIGHT (spec is from 4.205"-4.220")?:
13. IS THIS A FIRST TIME FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE?:
14. DO YOU THINK THE GASKET FAILED DO TO IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE:?
17. IF YES, WHAT MAY HAVE GONE WRONG?:
18. MILEAGE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
19. DATE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
20. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED THIS TIME?:
21. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?:
22. COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?:
23. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS:
24. EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
25. COPY ADDITIONAL DATA FROM REPAIR PROCEDURE (if any):
25a.
26. NOTES: [ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD]
27a.
28. QUESTIONS YOU HAVE:
28a.
 
#3 ·
Ok, here is my 2nd Xterra with blown HG's...

1. YEAR: 2000
2. MODEL: xterra
3. ENGINE: VG33E
4. MILEAGE (approx) WHEN GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED: 149,000
5. DATE (approx) OF GASKET FAILURE: not sure, but around 9/2016
6. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED?: LH side
7. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?: 4 and 6
8 COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?: yes
9. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS (side(s) with failure): #2-145 , #4-135 , #6-160psi
10. EVIDENCE OF FAILURE: mixed oil/coolant on dip stick, drained mix of coolant/oil from oil pan, white smoke from tailpipe, exhaust gas coming from radiator when cap removed.
11. DID YOU REPAIR IT YOURSELF OR WITH FRIENDS?:yes
11a. IF NO, WHO REPAIRED IT?:
12. REPAIR PROCEDURES:
12a. HOW DID YOU CLEAN THE BLOCK-SIDE SURFACE OF THE HEAD?: machine shop milled it
12b. ID YOU MEASURE THE HEAD FOR FLATNESS?: i tried. too much old gasket material on the surface.
12c. IF YES, WHAT WAS THE MEASUREMENT FOR FLATNESS (0.0000" is completely flat)?:
12d. DID YOU HAVE THE HEADS RESURFACED AT A MACHINE SHOP?: yes
12e. IF YES, HOW MUCH WAS MILLED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HEAD?: .010" to make it flat.
12f. DID YOU MEASURE THE NOMINAL HEIGHT OF THE HEAD (from valve cover surface to bock surface)?: yes
12g. IF YES, WHAT IS THE HEIGHT (spec is from 4.205"-4.220")?: 4.118"
13. IS THIS A FIRST TIME FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE?: yes
14. DO YOU THINK THE GASKET FAILED DO TO IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURE:? no, it had never been opened before.
17. IF YES, WHAT MAY HAVE GONE WRONG?:
18. MILEAGE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
19. DATE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
20. WHICH BANK (side) FAILED THIS TIME?:
21. WHICH CYLINDER(s) WERE AFFECTED?:
22. COMPRESSION TEST BEFORE DISASSEMBLY?:
23. COMPRESSION TEST RESULTS:
24. EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS FAILURE:
25. COPY ADDITIONAL DATA FROM REPAIR PROCEDURE (if any):
25a.
26. NOTES: [ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD]
27a.
28. QUESTIONS YOU HAVE:
28a.
 
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