RD28 Remove cylinder head

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 14:23
ThreadID: 44406 Views:7784 Replies:4 FollowUps:4
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I suspect a blown head gasket in the Nissan Laurel 92 RD28 Diesel
Its pressurising the cooling system and eventually runs out of water/overheating. I have been know to drive it prety hard at times. Car done has 200K and will need new cam belt

My Question is: How hard is it to remove and replace the head gasket. I don't want to spend the $ at the garage if I can help it!
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Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 15:59

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 15:59
I think you need to ask yourself why the gasket may have failed. You will not know till you have taken it off but you may need to give the head a skim as it may have warped. I would definitly do it anyway. My point is you may need to do a little more then just swap out the head gasket.
AnswerID: 233985

Reply By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 16:28

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 16:28
Stevepick
Talk to GQ_TUFF, he's just been through the mill re this very subject and it turned out not to be the head gasket after all!!!!

All the so called "Experts" said yeah mate deffinatley Head Gasket Mate.

He replaced the pump and reassembling it all he had the thermostat housing "snap". When he got the new housing and re assembled it all, problem gone.
AnswerID: 233993

Follow Up By: On Patrol (Aust.) - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:09

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:09
GQ_TUFF has become a new member today. He is now known as stefan P.
Just to P1ss me off.
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FollowupID: 494935

Reply By: donks1 - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 17:55

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 17:55
hi steve

if you are planning on doing this yourself, you will be saving a good $600 + in labour, but don't do half a job..
do you know what you are looking for as far as "blown gasket" goes? ( i mean once you have it off )
get it crack tested and at least machined.
if crack test and inspection of gasket shows no sign of the cause, look further.
i know you don't want to spend big bucks but a few extra dollars is well worth it if you don't have to do the job twice...
if you know what you are doing as far as timing belt goes, you should have no real troubles with the rest of the job
what is the oil like..... milky on the dipstick or under the filler cap???
is there oil in the water???

rd 28's are generally pretty reliable
its the bolt on bits that cause most issues

good luck

donks
AnswerID: 234009

Follow Up By: Stevepick - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:45

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:45
No obvious oil in the water at all - I need to find out if there is exhust gas in the water...Do you know how this is done?
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FollowupID: 494942

Follow Up By: donks1 - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 20:28

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 20:28
you can get a head check done

any reasonable mechanic will have this test available

basicly it involves putting chemicals in a " tube" which is held on the radiator where the cap goes. depending on the colour the chemical changes will tell you if there is exhaust gas in the water..( sorry for being a bit vague... 1/2 bottle of jack does that)..
where are you .. i might be able to point you in the right direction for mechanical advise???
its a simple check.

donks
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FollowupID: 494959

Follow Up By: donks1 - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 20:31

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 20:31
you mention the cressida.. is that a mx83 or earlier

if its a mx83 ( twin cam ) you should have no troubles with the rd28

donks
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FollowupID: 494961

Reply By: Stevepick - Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:37

Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007 at 19:37
Thanks for the reply's so far... So far I've blown a couple of the small hoses behind the injector pump. There are reasonably large bubbles (and quite a lot of pressure when I remove the water cap.

I think I need to find out if there are exhaust gasses in the cooling system... does any one know how I would do this?

The engine got HOT about a year ago (it blew a hose while my wife was driving)
From that point on there has been a small discharge of oil from no1 injector right where enters the head (today I put soapy water around while it idling which identified a slight compression leakage at this point)

I replaced the head gasket on my GLX2.8 Creseda about 5 yrs ago (an found out it wasn't the head gasket when I finished) so I should be able to do the job if I have too. Steve (Stanmore Bay WPG)
AnswerID: 234037

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