Overheat coolant - SD25 D21 1987 Nissan
Moderators: plenzen, Nissan_Ranger
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ill be gone all day so ill get a photo tomorrow.
the glow plugs all have their tips (i should hope so, they're pretty new)
the glow plugs all have their tips (i should hope so, they're pretty new)
"... the rare and elusive 1987 D21/SD25, I have come to believe these trucks exist ONLY in the minds of people who own them. " phillip R.I.P.
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
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- Posts: 173
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- Location: powell river, BC, Cascadia
- philip
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- Location: Southern California, USA
Top left, top right, lower left photos are of the same cylinder. The small shiney, carbon free spot on the piston crown is usually due to one of two reasons. (1). crankcase oil is passing into the combustion chamber at that point.
(2). engine coolant is passing into the combustion chamber at that point.
Bottom right photo looks okay. So two down, two to go.
(2). engine coolant is passing into the combustion chamber at that point.
Bottom right photo looks okay. So two down, two to go.
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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philip wrote: (1). crankcase oil is passing into the combustion chamber at that point.
(2). engine coolant is passing into the combustion chamber at that point.
philip wrote:The crankcase blow-by these gouges allow would not be noticed in an SD25 due to the closed crankcase vent system.
so if its oil passing into the combustion chamber thats alright?philip wrote: All engines develop blow-by with age.
and if its coolant?
and i guess ill get you good photos of the other two cylinders
"... the rare and elusive 1987 D21/SD25, I have come to believe these trucks exist ONLY in the minds of people who own them. " phillip R.I.P.
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
- philip
- Deceased
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: 19 years ago
- Location: Southern California, USA
1. When the pistons are fitted with single piece oil rings, it's to be expected at higher mileages. If you magnify the clean spot, you'll see it extends north about 3/8".after oil wrote:so if its oil passing into the combustion chamber thats alright?
and if its coolant?
and i guess ill get you good photos of the other two cylinders
2. CLOSELY inspect corresponding area of the head and both sides of the head gasket.
3. It would be helpful to ID each cylinder by #.

-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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i noticed that the squiggle that looks like a 2 on one of the pistons is: a 2.
the pistons are etched w/ numbers near the stamped 5.
i cant inspect the head.. its at the head shop. i was hoping they would have some info for me before they closed friday, but alas no. rumour has it, though, that its flat. i havent heard about the magnaflux yet. its CAD$65 to resurface.. should i have it done anyway?
i uploaded photos of cyl 3&4 our esteemed admin will resize them tonight.
the pistons are etched w/ numbers near the stamped 5.
i cant inspect the head.. its at the head shop. i was hoping they would have some info for me before they closed friday, but alas no. rumour has it, though, that its flat. i havent heard about the magnaflux yet. its CAD$65 to resurface.. should i have it done anyway?
i uploaded photos of cyl 3&4 our esteemed admin will resize them tonight.
"... the rare and elusive 1987 D21/SD25, I have come to believe these trucks exist ONLY in the minds of people who own them. " phillip R.I.P.
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
- philip
- Deceased
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- Joined: 19 years ago
- Location: Southern California, USA
Always resurface when the head gasket mating surface is mostly if not all metal. As I mentioned earlier, there is in excess of 425 psi cranking compression to say nothing of much higher pressures at peak combustion.after oil wrote:-SNIP- i havent heard about the magnaflux yet. its CAD$65 to resurface.. should i have it done anyway? -SNIP-
In your specific case, there is evidence of pressure leakage between cyls 2-3 and etching around each cylinder and several coolant passages. $65 CAD well spent.
Last edited by philip 18 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
- asavage
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If the head is flat, and there is no corrosion evident, I would probably not have it surfaced. But it would certainly be very clean before I put it back on.
Regards,
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
Al S.
1982 Maxima diesel wagon, 2nd & 4th owner, 165k miles, rusty & burgundy/grey. Purchased 1996, SOLD 16Feb10
1983 Maxima diesel wagon, 199k miles, rusty, light yellow/light brown. SOLD 14Jul07
1981 720 SD22 (scrapped 04Sep07)
1983 Sentra CD17, 255k, bought 06Jul08, gave it away 22Jun10.
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- philip
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- Joined: 19 years ago
- Location: Southern California, USA
Ok. Now that we've got all four cyls to examine, I'll put (apparently) cyl #1 being questionable.
As I mentioned earlier, bare metal/clean spots like this come from oil passage (not unusual for single piece oil rings) or coolant leakage "steam cleaning". If you examine closely you'll see the carbon has been eroded away ... not suddenly chipped away. With this sort of "steam cleaning" it's a matter of quantity and time meaning ... your oil may well NOT -appear- contaminated.
Remember, since there is this evidence, your head and block surfaces need to be ... PERFERCTLY true. You've got to put the time in cleaning the block surface of all adhered debris and rust. As for the head, resurfacing will be optimal.

As I mentioned earlier, bare metal/clean spots like this come from oil passage (not unusual for single piece oil rings) or coolant leakage "steam cleaning". If you examine closely you'll see the carbon has been eroded away ... not suddenly chipped away. With this sort of "steam cleaning" it's a matter of quantity and time meaning ... your oil may well NOT -appear- contaminated.
Remember, since there is this evidence, your head and block surfaces need to be ... PERFERCTLY true. You've got to put the time in cleaning the block surface of all adhered debris and rust. As for the head, resurfacing will be optimal.

-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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- Posts: 173
- Joined: 18 years ago
- Location: powell river, BC, Cascadia
i am sure that is cylinder number 1.
i know this may be elementary, but how should i clean it?
can i test the block for trueness w/o pulling it?
i know this may be elementary, but how should i clean it?
can i test the block for trueness w/o pulling it?
"... the rare and elusive 1987 D21/SD25, I have come to believe these trucks exist ONLY in the minds of people who own them. " phillip R.I.P.
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
- philip
- Deceased
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: 19 years ago
- Location: Southern California, USA
Because I'm a lazy butt right now, and because GOOGLE is still speaking to me, please go to: Head Gasket Basics
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .
1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22
"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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- Posts: 173
- Joined: 18 years ago
- Location: powell river, BC, Cascadia
hey folks....
i just talked on the phone to the guy at the head shop. he spoke of two issues:
A: a crack between the valve seats, in one of the cylinders on the end. (he couldnt remember off hand 1 or 4)
asavage wrote
B: the big problem was probably head gasket failure between a cylinder and a cooling port, but again didnt say which one. said they could tell by looking at it. so my photos should tell all.
the head will be planed and ready for tomorrow.
should i worry about the cracks between the valve seats?
i just talked on the phone to the guy at the head shop. he spoke of two issues:
A: a crack between the valve seats, in one of the cylinders on the end. (he couldnt remember off hand 1 or 4)
asavage wrote
he says the crack between the valve seats is almost never a problem, except on chevy's. i could send it away to have it pressure tested for $100, but he says ill probably be wasting my money.Lightening up and zooming in, I think that I see two cracks between the valve seats on cyl. No. 3.
B: the big problem was probably head gasket failure between a cylinder and a cooling port, but again didnt say which one. said they could tell by looking at it. so my photos should tell all.
the head will be planed and ready for tomorrow.
should i worry about the cracks between the valve seats?
"... the rare and elusive 1987 D21/SD25, I have come to believe these trucks exist ONLY in the minds of people who own them. " phillip R.I.P.
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
1987 nissan d21 SD25, canada/2 tank SVO
1993 mitsubishi delica chamonix 4X4 diesel van
- philip
- Deceased
- Posts: 1494
- Joined: 19 years ago
- Location: Southern California, USA
So based on this statement they must have told you the head is warped? If it isn't I see no value in having it planed, and I assume they know it cannot be planed with the prechambers installed?after oil wrote:the head will be planed and ready for tomorrow.
That's what the pressure test would findout, whether the cracks are far enough past the valve seats to create a compression leak.after oil wrote:should i worry about the cracks between the valve seats?
If all you had was gasket failure and there was no head warpage I would spend my money on the pressure test and do a thorough cleaning of the existing surface. I would hate to have it planed and reinstalled only then to find that there's a compression leak.
steve a
97 Jetta TDI, 90 Passat wagon TDI
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD
gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
05 E320 CDI, 92 300SD
gir - won't the sploding hurt?
zim - silence!
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