What a wonderful start I've had to the Datsun world. As you might know I've just bought a 1200 ute. This weekend I did an oil and filter change, water change, fuel filter and lastly a set of new plugs.

I replaced the first 3 and when I pulled the 4th (closest to the firewall) I noticed little beads of coolant on the tip of the spark plug.

Would it be fair to say that I've got an internal water leak somehwere and that's how the water is getting into the cylinder?

After replacing all of the parts listed above, I turned the car over and then noticed that there is water comming from my exhaust tips.

I think I'm in trouble.

My next idea was to get my hands on a compression tester to see what the cylinders read at. But I think it's obvious that I've got a coolant leak somewhere!


Datto Gods, please help me!!!


Where should I start?

blown head gasket Mine did the same. Cost about $100 to fix.
pull the head off, get it skimmed and get a new gasket, clean up the block and make sure its straight, then put it all back together, following the instructions carefully.

I've been told not to use coolant for the first 500-5000km after changing it too.


If you're cheap like me just pour a bottle of chemiweld in

I'm no expert but I had the exact same problem. The 4th cylinder was full of water and there was water in the muffler. It turned out that the head gasket was stuffed and the head was slightly warped.

Quote:

You do anything special to clean up the block - I was thinking of doing this (see pic) but was concerned I couldn't get it very flat.

chemi-weld??
unless its an emergency keep well away from it and similar products.. (ie radiator stop leak)
it clogs the water galleries / radiator and will only make matters worse...
fix the head gasket..
and she"ll be sweet

Thanks guys was a great help, and my mind has been put at ease now that I have a good idea of the problem.

Next question would be, how hard is this job to undertake by yourself; I've never pulled a head apart but I feel confident that I could work with detailed instructions. Would also prefer to do it this way as well, so I get to learn more about the engine itself. Is there a detailed guide on this site? or would it be a good idea to get myself a Gregorys service manual? or something similar?

What parts should I start looking for to complete the job?

Gasket kit, new head bolts?

Yeah, I will stay away from the chemi-weld stuff as I have been told by others to stay away from such things before.

A manual would be very handy, even though its a simple job, you will need a head and manifold gasket.

Keep the head bolts and pushrods in order.

Use a steel rule to check if the head is warped, get it skimmed if needed.

If you are careful you can remove the head with both the manifolds still attached. The pushrods will stay in the block and if the head is straight then clean up the surfaces, put on the new gasket and mount the head back on and torque into place. This avoids having to reset valves and timing and makes an easier job even simpler.

Mildman I used flat pieces of brass to clean up the block, and a straightedge to make sure it was straight.

Also odds are your headbolts will be rusty so you should probably replace them (you dont want to snap the last one as you're putting the head back on, that'll sh*t ya)

A headgasket was the first mechanical thing I ever did with a car, and it was fairly straightforward. Make sure you have a torque wrench or access to one.

edit: putting the head back on with the pushrods in the block is a bitch and a half when you're on your own. The little buggers dont want to go in the holes

Thanks Tyrie

And as to how to do a head gasket - check page 8 of A14 Prep section on this site.

http://mildman.datsunprojects.org/