KA24E Head Gasket, Help? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

DataXUnknown · 10-18-2007, 11:41 PM

Alright, I looked around for a little help on replacing my head gasket on my KA and didn't really find much helpful information that I didn't know. This is pretty much the breakdown.

Symptom #1: My S13 had overheating problems ever since I got it, and I had swapped the radiator and fan clutch, it helped a little bit, but not all the way.

Symptom #2: Every once in a while I would start up my 240 and some white smoke would shoot out the exhaust, somtimes a lot.

Symptom #3: My engine (KA24E) would make a rattling noise, sounding like the timing chain was loose or somthing, in higher RPM's.

Symptom #4: The car has a small oil leak (which I think might be kinda normal for a 1989.)

So I drove about 40miles in just about 100 degrees with my heater on (becuase I knew from the past it overheating) and I got off the freeway and noticed a decline in power. This rattling noise I spoke of in high RPM's now got louder and louder as my speed slowly declined. As I downshifted to try and keep going (like an idiot), I came to a stop at a stoplight where my 240 completely died, smoke pouring out of the engine bay. It didn't smell like anything, but if I tried to start the car, it would give about 20lbs of compression on each cylinder (I did test it).

So after guessing it is the head gasket I try on this task myself, and so far have gotten the valve cover off, timing chain off, head bolts off, spark plugs out, radiator drained, battery disconnected, fuel lines blocked, and am kinda stuck at what to do next. I've been told that it can be done 2 ways. 1 is to take everything off the head inside the engine, and the other was to take out the head with the intake manifold + exhaust manifold and all. Which way would be easier?

I have a chiltons repair manual, and it's a bit hard to understand in some areas.

Any help on more details of what exactly I need to be taking off, and what things will be difficult to get to and such would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
-Wes

P.S. All this time, my temperature guage has never worked on my guage cluster.

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10-18-2007, 11:41 PM	#1
DataXUnknown Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Age: 35 Posts: 2,934 Trader Rating: (30) Rides Gallery: DataXUnknown Feedback Score: 30 reviews	KA24E Head Gasket, Help? Alright, I looked around for a little help on replacing my head gasket on my KA and didn't really find much helpful information that I didn't know. This is pretty much the breakdown. Symptom #1: My S13 had overheating problems ever since I got it, and I had swapped the radiator and fan clutch, it helped a little bit, but not all the way. Symptom #2: Every once in a while I would start up my 240 and some white smoke would shoot out the exhaust, somtimes a lot. Symptom #3: My engine (KA24E) would make a rattling noise, sounding like the timing chain was loose or somthing, in higher RPM's. Symptom #4: The car has a small oil leak (which I think might be kinda normal for a 1989.) So I drove about 40miles in just about 100 degrees with my heater on (becuase I knew from the past it overheating) and I got off the freeway and noticed a decline in power. This rattling noise I spoke of in high RPM's now got louder and louder as my speed slowly declined. As I downshifted to try and keep going (like an idiot), I came to a stop at a stoplight where my 240 completely died, smoke pouring out of the engine bay. It didn't smell like anything, but if I tried to start the car, it would give about 20lbs of compression on each cylinder (I did test it). So after guessing it is the head gasket I try on this task myself, and so far have gotten the valve cover off, timing chain off, head bolts off, spark plugs out, radiator drained, battery disconnected, fuel lines blocked, and am kinda stuck at what to do next. I've been told that it can be done 2 ways. 1 is to take everything off the head inside the engine, and the other was to take out the head with the intake manifold + exhaust manifold and all. Which way would be easier? I have a chiltons repair manual, and it's a bit hard to understand in some areas. Any help on more details of what exactly I need to be taking off, and what things will be difficult to get to and such would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! -Wes P.S. All this time, my temperature guage has never worked on my guage cluster.