Hurt engine, what do u think is wrong in it?

pmftv · May 21st, 2003, 05:41 PM

Recently my 1988 nissan sentra (automatic) has been burning up and eating radiator fluid, it was happening for a while.

Then one day my brother drove my car and the engine started bouncing all around and he pulled into a parking lot and oil was spraying out of the exhaust pipe.

I know for certain that I'm going to need a new head gasket.

What else do you think I will have to fix? (I have time to fix the engine, i've got all the time in the world)
Or is it just better for me to get a new (by new I mean a different engine) engine? And if I got a different engine, is there an engine with more horsepower or anything that will fit in the car fine, without too much hassle?
Or should I just buy a new car? I just like the Sentra because it was small and manouverable.

Any advice/tips/info. would be great.

Thanks,

Mike

Myetball · May 21st, 2003, 07:06 PM

Get the head off first and see what's going on. As long as there wasn't any grinding/broken metal sounds it may be just the head gasket.

I did mine a while back along with a few other things. Was about $350 with five new valves, head work, gasket set, water pump, timing belt, plugs, front main seal, oil pan gasket, oil and filter, and coolant and thermostat.

Crazy-Mart · May 22nd, 2003, 12:24 AM

and while your there throw in 150$ more and get new bearings and rings

... for that 500$ you get a brand new engine...or a hella more better that the 350$ JY specials ... trust me been there !! ...

WhiteFox · May 22nd, 2003, 02:02 AM

When my other engine started using coolant, it had multiple cracks in the block.. I really hope that isn't your case.

Myetball · May 22nd, 2003, 04:27 PM

Another $150 for the bottom end is a bit conservative. You'll need a conversion gasket set, you'll want/need to have the crank polished/cut, the cylinders need to be honed and more than likely need to be cut .020 over and new pistons/rings installed. Of course this is all stuff you should do if you plan on keeping the engine.

The top end rebuild gets you back on the road but does not address the work needed down below.

Of course we still don't know if you have any major bottom end problems that would force a rebuild/replacement. Keep us posted as to what you find when you get it apart.

Crazy-Mart · May 23rd, 2003, 12:35 AM

150$ is consevative : if yours still majorly in good condition.. this will cover only the bearings/ring maybe a gasket or 2..