l28 using/leaking water around head.

[dromana7411]

my MK with l28 has been using some water latley, i had a look and it looks like some water has been leaking from the back of the motor (where the head goes onto the block.) and also along the side above the oil filter.

can see small bubbles on the side when the engine is reving, and slight water leakage, but havnt seen any comming from the back, (iv seen it wet once, but couldnt feel anything, and there is now a slight rust mark there from where the water has run.

there is no water in the oil (oil hassnt gone milky from the water) but it is blowing some wter out the exhaust.

does this mean i have done my head gasket? or something else...

[Beastmavster]

Ok, sounds like possibly a head gasket or worse yet minor warping in the head.

Non genuine gaskets can be pretty thin around the waterjackets.

You're absolutely sure it's not from any other source first - welsh plugs, heater hoses etc.

[Screwy]

if its not from welsh plugs or heater hoses and you can see it bubbling around the head, then yeh u have done the head gasket. if it doesnt over heat and the water doesnt bubble in the radiator etc etc then its only external at the moment, but will get worse.

it needs replacing before anything severe happens.

also while the head is off, get it checked for warps so that way it can be machined if needed, no sence replacing the head gasket and then it blows out again.

screwy

[marko]

The L series engine are bad for corrosion in water jackets. Unfortunely if the cooling system is not look after correctly, the heads will leak like sh#t in no time. Water leaking from outside, inside and some times pumping oil into the radiator is common. Hopfully this is not the case with your engine and is only a head gasket. If the head is f#@k you shouldnt have any probs get anther one. There dime a dozen, well there used to be any way. Good luck

[shakes]

The L series engine are bad for corrosion in water jackets.

L-series motors NEED genuine nissan coolant or a at the least good quality coolant, this is from people who rally'd (and still do) the L-series motor's in numerous cars.

Simon

[dromana7411]

pretty sure it wassnt from the welsh plugs (they are new and have been fine since they went in at the start of november as the motor went in)

iv got a head gasket from a L24 will this fit?

also today after ringing around for a head gasket someone on the phone said that i will need new bolts aswell as they strech?

and how much should i be expecting to pay for a head gasket, or head gasket kit? (is there a diffrence?)

been told from $50 up to $125....

thanks

[Beastmavster]

Head gasket used to be about $30 alone when I had L series.

As others have mentioned, the L series is especially easy to get water leaks, as the water jackets do run pretty close to the edge.

I'd ask a datto specialist, since some aftermarket gaskets are far more prone than others for minor seepage (my days of an ex Z head taught me that).


However I cant remember which ones were good and which to avoid.


The Head bolts do stretch or at least work themselves a little loose, but they do that on all motors after a rebuild, so should be retensioned after a little while. The L series seem to "stretch" a little more than most motors.


If it's recently been rebuilt and not retensioned that can cause small water leaks.


Agree use good quality coolant.