PLEASE HELP! We have a 06 Titan 4x4 with 62,000 miles on it. We absolutely love this truck and so far have had all of the recall work done on it and had a few things replaced under the 3/36 warranty and everything was great. The manifolds were replaced a few miles ago because both were cracked. Then boom, getting ready for vacation and towing TT and exhaust falls completely off due to rust. We replaced that, then 2 days later radiator explodes. The bottom blew a hole in plastic. Got replacement radiator and 3 days later boom, blowed again. Called Nissan dealer and they say haven't had problems with other trucks and radiators. So we think there is a pressure problem. Took to local private reputable mechanic. He did a combustion leak detector test on the radiator and says the head gasket is blown. There is no steam from tailpipe, no leaking antifreeze(other than radiator busted), no antifreeze/oil mix at all. I have searched online for 2 days and can't find any other Titans with head gasket blown this early. Mechanic wants $2000 to replace gaskets and I'm not sure what it is. Any input is greatly appreciated. Also truck has never overheated EVER.
Head Gasket Blown?
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mom23
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PLEASE HELP! We have a 06 Titan 4x4 with 62,000 miles on it. We absolutely love this truck and so far have had all of the recall work done on it and had a few things replaced under the 3/36 warranty and everything was great. The manifolds were replaced a few miles ago because both were cracked. Then boom, getting ready for vacation and towing TT and exhaust falls completely off due to rust. We replaced that, then 2 days later radiator explodes. The bottom blew a hole in plastic. Got replacement radiator and 3 days later boom, blowed again. Called Nissan dealer and they say haven't had problems with other trucks and radiators. So we think there is a pressure problem. Took to local private reputable mechanic. He did a combustion leak detector test on the radiator and says the head gasket is blown. There is no steam from tailpipe, no leaking antifreeze(other than radiator busted), no antifreeze/oil mix at all. I have searched online for 2 days and can't find any other Titans with head gasket blown this early. Mechanic wants $2000 to replace gaskets and I'm not sure what it is. Any input is greatly appreciated. Also truck has never overheated EVER.
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43,835 Posts
Get a second opinion.
As far as the pressure, Titan radiator caps have been a problem.
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NTB04-018.pdf
Have the cap tested and see if it opens and closes per specifications.
Good Luck!
As far as the pressure, Titan radiator caps have been a problem.
Have the cap tested and see if it opens and closes per specifications.
Good Luck!
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6,409 Posts
There have been numerous Radiator failures. Steam may not come out of exhaust, but you can still have leaking head gasket. There is a chemical paper test for exhaust in the coolant, usually done to indicate issue before a pressure test is done. Blown head gasket on VK56 is seemingly rare. I don't know of any.
Remember the Cap on the Radiator is a plain Cap without a Spring Loaded Valve, don't ever change style of that. A traditional Cap will cause the Radiator to blow out. Many of us have done that mistake. Actual Pressure Relief Cap is on the Plastic Bottle, as it is also part of the pressurized system. It is a large Black Plastic Cap. Available at the local store if needed.
Remember the Cap on the Radiator is a plain Cap without a Spring Loaded Valve, don't ever change style of that. A traditional Cap will cause the Radiator to blow out. Many of us have done that mistake. Actual Pressure Relief Cap is on the Plastic Bottle, as it is also part of the pressurized system. It is a large Black Plastic Cap. Available at the local store if needed.
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13,129 Posts
Ive never heard of a single head gasket issue on this truck, especially if you claim it never overheated. If you overheated it while pulling a TT, then its possible you blew the gasket. For now I would take Titanblues advice and make sure your running the right cap.
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17,244 Posts
I wouldn't spend $2,000 (nearly all labor) w/o doing compression & leak down tests first. Caps are cheap, I would replace reservoir and radiator caps. CSF makes an all aluminum radiator if you get tired of cracked plastic.
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3,744 Posts
Yeah sounds like a couple more crappy oem radiators bit he dust. I would buy an aluminum rad and call it a day unless more symptoms show up. Sounds like the mechanic wants 2 grand.
Well now you guys can here of one,my 2008 nissan titan,has the 5.6 motor,4x4,has 100,000 miles and head gaskets have blown on it now,very sad that this truck is already not drivable after 4 years,,,very sad,my 2000 f250 truck still running strong and has 460,000 miles on it!i know its the 7.3 but i got the titan for running back and forth to pick my son up in ky from tn,,,,3 hours there and 3 hours back,always serviced,,,,head gaskets are blown on the water side,making exhaust go into my water,,,,its already made me change my radiator from the pressure from the head gaskets being blown out,,,!!!!!!! Tired of it,gonna park it in the field and let it rot!
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43,835 Posts
Nice first post, welcome to the site! You are the first that I know of to report blown head gaskets. How did it go, what were you doing, we'd like the now the cause? Where in TN.? You making the run to Ft. Campbell?
well do not know why,have been hard on it,like spinning tires,but i have done the same in my f250,,,i used it for highway mostly,,,also whats in KY you was saying,is there a show or something,,,,I would got to Wingo KY from Murfreesboro TN to get my son there,3 hours there and 3 hours back,,,,well Nissan is no help,these guys tried to say they would charge me $296.00 bucks to change my thermostat in my Titan,what a rip off!!I changed it and it took 20mins total!Also payed them 120 bucks to tell me if the head gasket was blown or not,they said well we checked it out and it could be the thermostat or bad head gasket!I also told them right when I dropped it off that the radiator has been changed and new water and thermostat changed as well and to check for bad head gasket,,,So this is what they tell me,,C,mon these guys are lazy or just wanna rip people off,,,I did de'side to fix the truck and sale it though,,,never again will I take anything to a dealer,they rip me on my money and still told me nothing,,,,! update,,,head gasket is blown on pass side near firewall,,this causes the heater core to take in compression from the piston wall,,,blowing exhaust into the water,causing the heater core not to let water flow,,,,will update more later,2008 Titan,5.6 Flex fuel,4 wheel drive,,,,,,,,,,:read::read::read::read::read:
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4,263 Posts
You drive a Titan every day... i think you know why.
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13,129 Posts
Lol but if i was making 300 mile trips....wouldnt have picked a titan thats for sure lol
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471 Posts
I def agree, but at same time he might have the money to burn. I spend about $200 a week on gas for my job alone (contractor) and make a 8 hour roundtrip to see the girlfriend on the weeekends. I have other vehicles and more economical ways to get around but I just love driving the titan. Sometimes when I'm bored ill just go cruisin around burning gas and spacing out if you know what I mean lol.
Well because the titan has more stuff,like radio controls,its not loud as the 7.3 and well when I wanna get on it I can light the tires up,,Lol,,,either way have not done the gaskets yet,I am gonna make a video of doing the head gaskets to prove Nissan and to show others how to do it the fastest way,And what to not do and what to do when changing the head gaskets,,,Also the Titan gets better fuel on the interstate then my 7.3,,My 7.3 cost over $140.00 in diesel to go there and back,6hours total,,,,, Also I'm running $430.00 a piece tires on it as well,So why waist my tires on the interstate when the Titan can run the trips and save money,,,,Now the 7.3 will out pull,out climb,And well destroy the Titan in most stuff when it comes to a full size truck,But the Titan does out do the 7.3 on the other thing for comfort and easy drive time,plus is fun to drive!Love the truck and wish it never had the head gasket problem,But that's a Nissan for ya!Must PAY to PLAY!!!
Ps,,Also Nissan did not wanna help me get the head bolts or the socket for the head bolt,so i went into the dealer ship and started talking to the customers and telling them my 2008 Titan had a blown head gasket and that they wouldn't help me,,,Lol the guy on the floor ran back there and made the repair guys find the stuff I needed and also the tool size I needed and even where to go get it,,,But before Nissan would not help me at all,,,Now if you ever have a problem do that,,They sure was worried ,lol,,,But hey all I wanted was to get my stuff fixed,,,
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10 Posts
Hi,
i have a 2008 Nissan Titan 4x4 5.6l engine that has white smoke coming from the exhaust. Also overheats and the passenger side where the oil cap is has a white oil oil-looking residue in the valve cover only. No oil in water and nothing in the main oil yet.
I cant find one single video online of how to pull the heads off and fix it.
142,000 original miles.
Any suggestions?
i have a 2008 Nissan Titan 4x4 5.6l engine that has white smoke coming from the exhaust. Also overheats and the passenger side where the oil cap is has a white oil oil-looking residue in the valve cover only. No oil in water and nothing in the main oil yet.
I cant find one single video online of how to pull the heads off and fix it.
142,000 original miles.
Any suggestions?
Have you tested your coolant to see if you have combustion gas infiltration? Before I went after pulling a set of heads, I'd do that.
Now, once you've confirmed definitively that the head gasket is blown, you can grab a copy of the Factory Service Manual from nicoclub.com and it will give you all you need to know about R&R for the heads.
Now, once you've confirmed definitively that the head gasket is blown, you can grab a copy of the Factory Service Manual from nicoclub.com and it will give you all you need to know about R&R for the heads.
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10 Posts
Well, it definitely boils over and bubbles in the reservoir.
just no oil in water. I was thinking maybe a crack in the head.
Thoughts?
I think you should test it. If you have some other issue (clogged radiator, etc.) it could cause this kind of boiling over. Testing it is cheap and easy. R&R the head, not so much. Up to you but I like confirmation before I go tearing into the motor too deeply.
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