Hello,

I am new to the forum and my G35X. I need to replace the head gasket and I am worried there could possibly be damage to the heads.

Would you guys replace the gasket and get the heads resurfaced (possibly find other issues) or would you just replace the long block with a slightly lower milage engine?

In need of your opinions as educated and experienced G35 owners.

Thanks,
Skye

BTW: Its a 2004 G35X with 97k on the clock.

Price for head gasket and resurface - starting at $3700

New Engine with 70k: $1500 shipped, plus replacement labor cost.

 

$3700 for a head gasket job and head resurface sounds awefully high. I've had entire engines rebuilt for less that that.

Is that a dealership quote?

Unless you've severly overheated the engine, I wouldn't suspect head damage unless there are other symptoms that make you suspect that.



Vehicle value is probably $5K, so i would not throw more than 75% of the value into a repair. I'd sell the car for ($1-3K) or so, and then take what i would have spent for repair and go buy another one.

Engine replacement cost will prob be $1K+ in labor.

 

3700 for a head gasket and resurface!!!!!! RUN!

 

No this is a local shop, not a dealership. Dealerships are pushing me toward a new long block for $5k. The engine never overheated, had a 90k service, had to burp the system 4-5 times, air kept getting into the system so they all recommended head gasket/engine replacement. Anyone know of a good shop in Seattle???

Thanks Skye

 

Does this local shop know that these engines are terribly difficult to get the air out of the coolant system? Do a search and you'll see people have had countless issues with this. Perhaps the shop trying to over charge you with a head resurface is simply ignorant to this common vq35de issue.

 

This is just a quote from the local shop to do the work. Nissan, Infiniti in Fife, And Infiniti of Kirkland all said thats what it needs, head gasket or longblock... Any thoughts on what the best ave is? thanks!

 

Are you getting coolant in your oil? smoke out of your exhaust? Are you losing coolant?No overheating at all?

Have you done a compression check? Honestly, it sounds like you just still have air in the cooling system and it needs to be properly burped.


The problem with dealerships is they have become more of a "replace vs troubleshoot" organization.

 

It is leaking coolant into the oil I think... No overheating. They left it overnight for a pressure test and it looses PSI just by sitting, they said it is a very slow leak I guess. IDK 3 shops told me this was the issue, including 2 dealerships. I just am wondering what the best option is.

Thanks

 

This is what I would do, change the head gaskets or buy the used motor. No way would I ever let anyone charge me 3700 for that. I've bought 3 engines from wreckers before and they all lasted. I've also bought rebuilts that lasted a week. Good luck hopefully you can work it out.

 

How mechanically inclined are you? Think you can handle a HG job?

Here's the FSM

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G35/Sedan/2004/em.pdf

If this was my car...i'd be reading up on torque specs and such to tackle the job myself.

$3700 for a HG job is nuts. I've seen engine R&R jobs cost less

 

Not educated enough to make that repair. Plus I am under a time crunch. Thank you for the help!!!