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Doing Head Gaskets on a 09

81K views 181 replies 52 participants last post by  GeoJB 
#1 ·
So at work we're starting to see quite a few newer VQ35s commin in with what appears to be external coolant leaks from the cylinder head gaskets. I talked to another shop and they told me they've noticed a couple too. Nissan Techline seemed to have heard about the issue and instructed us to replace the head gaskets and check the cylinder heads and block for warpage and/or cracks.

On this MO it has approx 27k miles, 2009 model year and was in pretty good shape. Coolant was not leaking to the floor but there was just a dry crusty buildup around the head gaskets, prob not even really leaking anymore.





 
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#34 ·
The pistons imo don't look that bad, i don't know why you guys think they're supposed to miraculously stay shiny. Crappy lower grade fuels along with various driving habits lead to some normal carbon buildup. Just so you know, most of the crap came right off with a couple sprays of brake cleaner and a wipe with a shop rag. They're really not bad at all, just some surface buildup.

I did talk to another tech from a different shop and he told me he had an 08 Altima with a coolant smell symptom that turned out to be this so i don't know if its 09 specific but it would have something to do with a coolant smell i suppose.
 
#37 ·
I did talk to another tech from a different shop and he told me he had an 08 Altima with a coolant smell symptom that turned out to be this so i don't know if its 09 specific but it would have something to do with a coolant smell i suppose.
The 3.5VQ goes in the Murano, Maxima, Altima, and Quest right? If so they all used the same head gaskets and therefore would have the same antifreeze leakage issue. Just using logic here...

It's only job security for you right Turbizzy? :p
 
#38 ·
What really pisses me off about this problem is that, I took the Mo in for a state inspection and to have them address the problem with noisy steering when I turn left (This is well documented in another thread). Anyway the service manager tells me that they could not find anything wrong with the steering (duh...did you take it for a ride, cause I noticed it again as soon as I pulled out of the lot). I was more upset when he pulls out a full page of parts that would be needed and after a 1/2 hour waiting for him to give me a quote with no success for the head gasket issue I gave up. I paid my inspection fee and walked out and will never return.

Now, I moved to this area 2 years ago and don't really have a relationship with this or any other Nissan dealership in this area. I went to this one because they are a bigger dealer with multiple dealerships in the area for other brands and just opened this Nissan dealership near me.

It is just a little disappointing to have multiple problems on a fairly new car even though it does have over 60k miles. I am religious in my maintenance and to have a dealer that can't even find an issue such as the steering with all the information and background that I gave him does not give me confidence.

And to the poster who thinks I should take care of this out of my own pocket or try and get the dealer to take care of it. I've gone that route and could not get them to cover or offer any assistance except to use a little ink to print me out a cost estimate.

So. sorry if the next dealership I deal with when I trade it in doesn't cover or fix it before re-sale. But, that is why they have warranties on used cars.

Not my problem....and the wheels go round and round!
 
#39 ·
I too have a burning coolant smell when the car has been driven for a while (operating temp for a bit). I only have 11K miles, and it's a 2010 model. I've not yet had it looked at, and I'm not sure it's even the same problem, but aside from that my murano is doing great and I absolutely love it.
 
#41 ·
Went to the dealer today for my 45,000 mile complementary oil and filter change. I had them pay particular attention to the head gaskets, for I too was getting a slight coolant smell when parking my MO in my garage, but couldn't find the coolant level dropping at all. Sure enough, crusting around the heads. Next Monday is drop the engine day. I've got a good relationship with my dealer and they know I'm anal as hell about my car, so after they're done, the service manager will be driving it home for a couple of days to make sure everything is working properly. They said that they just got through doing the head gaskets on two 2010 Altimas last week. I have a somewhat sick feeling in my stomach today, with the thought of what all can be forgotten to be connected when putting everything back together, but will try to look at the positive side, in that it's covered under warranty. Oh well, that's life. Take care!

Jim
 
#42 ·
I have a somewhat sick feeling in my stomach today, with the thought of what all can be forgotten to be connected when putting everything back together
Jim
I had the same thought when they did mine at 40k. We now have 56k, and all is good. They seem to be doing them more often now, so they are prolly getting really good at it.

Speaking of Head Gaskets, half of the cars I have owned have had HGs done on them:

1979 Ford Fiesta - HG at 90k (did myself).
1995 Ford Windstar - HG at 99k (Warranty - Entire motor replaced). HG again at 156k (did not fix, tradded it in sight-unseen).
1984 Nissan 300ZX - no HG while I owned it.
2003 PT Cruiser - no HG - Origional owner and totaled at 105k.
1989 Nissan Maxima - no HG while I owned it 150k-230k totaled.
2000 Dodge Durango - no HG while I owned it.
2009 Nissan Murano - HG at 40k (Warranty).
2003 Subaru Legacy - HG at 80k (SoA paid $500 of the $1800).
 
#43 ·
Thanks, Hokey.

Words like these are much better than anacids! Take care!

JIm
 
#44 ·
turbizzy,

What other parts, besides the head gaskets, do they replace on a job like this? If only one is leaking do they replace both? How about the timing belt, do they put in a new one or use the old one? I took a closer look at your photos and am freakin' out what they are all pulling off that engine. My poor Mo!

I love what my invoice has printed on it today, besides the filter/oil change and 45,000 mile inspection…

"Item C - States there is a coolant smell from time to time. Read online it may be a head gasket leak.

62 NEEDS HEAD GASKET

Jim
 
#45 ·
Here is another one down (Edmunds forum, Mar 04, 2011 (11:52 pm):

"We own a 2009 Nissan Murano SL bought new and the head gasket cracked leaking fluids and emitting a strong smell of coolant. We have had a few unpleasant repairs, new brakes at 30,000, new tires at 32,000 and now at only 57,000 miles cracked head gaskets.... Many reports show that their Murano just was not the same after the head gasket issue."

Plus, I saw quite a few other head gaskets failures' complaints on other forums.

So, it is starting to look like the 2009 model has been botched by Nissan, just like the 1st generation was with the CVT and transfer case.

Head gasket failure may be OK past 120 miles but before that it is a shoddy workmanship.

Not for nothing people online are saying that Nissan is no better than some domestic manufacturers.

Such a shame!
 
#46 ·
Dropped the Mo off this morning for major surgery, should get it back Wednesday morning. I must say, I'm really enjoying the loaner that my dealer gave me… a loaded 2010 Infinti FX35! I'll keep you updated on the outcome of Mo's head gasket replacement. But right now, gotta' go, just thought of another reason to get in the FX35 and drive somewhere. :2:

Take care!

Jim
 
#48 ·
Shouldn't be that bad, bro. After doing like 3 of these in a row back to back, they're not as bad as you expect. Having a lift, air tools and correct equipment helps a ton too!

Wow, its been several months since I've looked over this forum and what was once only a few thoughts of coolant leaks has turned into 4 pages... :eek:

I'm one of the original "questioners" of the antifreeze stink on the 2009 Mo's. Wifes LE has been stinking since approximately 1500 miles on the vehicle. I have at least 3 or 4 work orders stating the dealer could find nothing in regards to visual leaks and/or pressure drops etc..

Today we have exactly 36K miles on the Mo and all is well with exception to the "stink" - of which I will admit is much less than when at 5K miles....
I knew from day one it was leaking (prior Nissan tech myself), but had no desire to really have the dealer do what I see in your pictures Izzy..

My major concern is whether coolant could be getting into any oil passages etc.? Hard to say from the pictures but what do you think Izzy? I can say that I have added probably 1/2 of an inch to the level in the overfill in 2.5 years.

It's been probably 8 months since my last dealer visit yet they (at least openly) did not "know" anything about any head gasket issues/leaks on this engine..... Rrrrriiiight. Needless to say I just had them place all that on the work order for the day "I know" I would be needing it.... Hopefully they have been doing numerous gasket replacements and have the process down.

Bottom line, great stuff Turbizzy/all. Keep this thread active/updated - as someone else mentioned, this info will probably be used by "many" in the future.. Sad to say yet my experience tells me this is info Nissan does not want many to know about... In all reality this should be a mandated "recall."

Red Kiosk: Good luck on your Mo - let us know how she turns out!!

Cheers
 
#50 ·
Turbizzy mentioned that cars with this (negligible) kind of leak run for thousands of miles.
Based on the complaints, it is an insignificant leak indeed. So if it leaks outside let it leak, if it leaks into combustion chamber let it burn, if it leaks into oil passages change the oil every 3K miles (I have it done every 5K km anyways).
I worked for a long time in one of the Central Asian countries and at the gas stations you would frequently get gas mixed with diesel (diesel was way less expensive and dishonest sellers were trying to make some additional profit).
What ended up happening was that after a long trip that diesel for obvious reason would end up in the oil so the unscheduled oil change would be in order. That's all. The engines still would go up to 100K kilometers, but they were Soviet made engines and it was quite an accomplishment.
 
#52 ·
Very concerning. Had the coolant odor with my 2007 Maxima really almost since new, never noticed any coolant loss or signs of a leak so I never really complained to the dealer about it, just figured that maybe it was the coolant cap venting pressure when hot. Traded the Max in at 50k for the Murano and I have noticed the smell with the Murano as well. Guess I will have them check it when it goes in for service on Monday.
 
#55 ·
Prob not. I have yet to see this prob on first gen muranos. Its only the second gens i've seen it on. What i have seen on first gens leak pretty commonly is the little coolant overflow hose that goes from the radiator to the resevoir. Sometimes it pops off the radiator's neck, just cut a small peice off the end and slip it back on.
 
#54 ·
We have been working with Nissan North America arbitration specialist about the head gasket problem. We have to take it in for another evaluation, and if needed they will replace it and extend a warrenty on the engine for 7 years or 100,000 miles. It took a letter backed by a lawyer and a call into the BBB to get results.
 
#56 ·
Well now I've got the leak too.....only 24K miles. I suspect it has been leaking for a while as I've added small amounts of coolant over the past year and have noticed coolant smell almost since new. The pictures of where the coolant leak was helpful as I was able to confirm the leak is in the same place.

I'm hesitant to take it to our closest dealer (30 miles) anytime soon as they have only been a Nissan dealership for about a year and the last service episode took 3 separate trips to resolve an issue that I had pre-diagnosed for them.
 
#57 ·
Well i haven't seen too many leaking since new but it is normal for the coolant level to drop somewhat over time especially after when new or after a major service. Air pockets inside the cooling system eventually burp out and/or coolant also tends to evaporate over time through the overflow bottle as well.

Good luck.
 
#58 ·
There is no doubt mine is leaking in the same place as the one in this thread was with the photos as I can see it when looking under the car. I'm thinking I'm going to wait and see if a revised gasket comes out in the near future and give our local dealer time to get more experience (maybe others will come in for the fix....I don't want to be the first one for this dealer). I still have time on the warranty.
 
#61 ·
Turbizzy,

Is there "any" technical information released from Nissan referencing the "possibility of" a head gasket leak what so ever? Besides printing off this thread I would love to hand my dealership something technical to jar them from the obvious "gag order" that Nissan corporate has placed on them regarding this issue.

They are one of the larger Nissan Dealerships in the Dallas area and I find it completely hard to believe I am the only person/Mo owner complaining of an antifreeze smell/leak in the past 2+ years (according to them).

Obviously I am hesitant to have them tear into it, yet I would at least like Nissan/dealer to identify/acknowledge the head gasket issue and advise of my options etc..

Thanks for your time and info on the forum.

Cheers
 
#62 ·
Naw not really. I don't really think printing off this thread and showing it to a dealer does much, most of the time they could care less about what someone reads off the internet. But if you think it'll help by all means.

Im not trying to imply there's a gag order on anything. We really didn't see any of these head gasket leaks until very recently. When i spoke to another shop they'd seen quite a few already so its not like we weren't trying not to be honest, its just that you would never expect to check the headgaskets to leak with so low miles until we did more digging around.

Good luck.
 
#67 ·
Im not trying to imply there's a gag order on anything. We really didn't see any of these head gasket leaks until very recently. When i spoke to another shop they'd seen quite a few already so its not like we weren't trying not to be honest, its just that you would never expect to check the headgaskets to leak with so low miles until we did more digging around.

Good luck.
Thanks,

I do "feel," yet am not really claiming there is a "gag order" :D just feels that way given the odds etc. The other thing that gets me is how they claim they don't even smell it.. Completely rediculous..

The next visit I will show them the pictures of where it "is leaking" and ask them to document that they explored the area and found "no" leaks..

The Mo still runs great however. :)

Thanks again/cheers

Good to hear you had a positive outcome Red K.!!
 
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