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Engine block crack inquiry
Sent to Car Experts September 22 12:58 PM

I blew a head gasket on my 92 Nissan PU and it drained the radiator dry then pulled the oil thru the engine and out the overflow of the radiator. Should my mechanic have had the engine sent out to check for any cracks as a precaution before replacing the head gasket and also the timing chain? He did say that he would have to send the engine out to be flushed with all the oil that went into it. Also could he have done a compression check with a blown head gasket to see if the engine was cracked? Is it common when you blow head gasket for the engine block to crack? I was driving on the highway for 1-1/2hrs when it happened and pulled over when I saw the smoke coming from under the hood.

 

Optional Information:
1992 Nissan Pick Up Xcab 4cyl

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $20
Answer
September 22 1:28 PM (29 minutes and 51 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi

From what you are saying of the eng overheating it takes a lot to crack a block. but doing other tests after you have the head/s gasket done would let you know that the block is ok and the piston rings are ok. The head/s should be sent out and checked for cracks and for machining. yes you should have the cooling system flushed out as well to remove any oil that may have entered the system.


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PictureRed -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 114 Car Accepts
ASE Certified with 20 Years of Automotive experience.
Reply
September 22 1:37 PM (8 minutes and 39 seconds later)
         
Reply to Red's Post: Should he not have sent the engine out to a machine shop to make sure there were no cracks before replacing the head gasket especially when I was driving on the highway and not assume that it was just the head gasket. I feel he should check for the worst outcome before he did all this work only to find a cracked block in the end.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 22 1:58 PM (20 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
when i get the same kind of job I 1st have to fix whats wrong. Then do more tests to check things like compression. it takes a lot to crack a eng block from over heating. a head will go bad before a block will crack. so your block should be ok. yes if you are looking to be 100% sure then you could have asked him to send it out. But if you would have done that then getting a reman eng would be the best way to go.


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PictureRed -- Auto Service Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 114 Car Accepts
ASE Certified with 20 Years of Automotive experience.
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