2003350z099

I have a 2003 Nissan 350z automatic touring edition and it's been leaking oil for a while now. I got a mechanic to check it out he said it could be the head gasket seal or the head. I'm not to mechanically inclined so not really sure what he's saying. But anyways, the car has 132k miles on it and I think it's time to change the timing chain too so looking at the "repair cost" what do you think I should do? IMO I want to rebuild the motor but not sure, also thinking about buying a used motor with low miles and just swapping it out. Any help or opinions on what I should do?

FOOKhonda

iTrader: (1)

id say get a new one, you say you want one with low miles, and at 132k youll fix that and start having other problems, id say just get one with low miles or buy a built block, a couple of the vendors here sell them, and if your heads are fine use those, or buy some with low miles if you plan on boosting..

if you dont have the money for a new engine then the answer is obv, fix what you have.

grimm66

Try fixing the gaskets first and see if that works. no point in spending thousands of dollars extra for a few hundred dollar if that fix.

2003350z099

Well I got around 2.5-3k to work with once I sell my 01 mustang. I think a brand new engine is out of the question sense it's to much.

2003350z099

Well I got a quote of around 1,000 to fix the gasket is that out of price range??

travlee

iTrader: (8)

see if you can find a local DIY guy to help you

Carfreak70852

iTrader: (2)

If your car is leaking oil, you do not need to replace the head gaskets. That doesn't even make sense. Now, you probably DO need to replace the valve cover gaskets. That is not a $1,000 job. It is rather labor intensive, but not nearly as bad as head gaskets.

You also do not need to replace the timing chain. That is the best thing about them. They do not have service intervals like timing BELTS do.

Sounds like this mechanic is trying to F you over. I would try to find a different mechanic. You definitely do not need a new engine if it is just leaking oil. Now if it were white smoking on start-up and eating anti-freeze, that is a different story.

Syner

I can't believe you missed it trav.

travlee

iTrader: (8)

damn

2003350z099

Anyone know of a reliable shop in the miami area? I don't really trust a lot of the shops down here because they do sloppy work. Also for the person who asked I don't want to go FI. I want to just stay bolt on but I don't want to invest the money on upgrades if the motor is going to end up failing.

2003350z099

??? What

Syner

inside-ish joke.

FOOKhonda

iTrader: (1)

i would try horsepower logic, they do a lot of aftermarket work and seem to be a good z tuner shop, so i would trust what they say.

ridered929rr

iTrader: (8)

Wonder if his breaks need to be replaced and that is causing the oil to leak

Carfreak70852

iTrader: (2)

Brakes*

And I would say that is a definite possibility. Definitely needs an oil pump. Too much oil pressure is causing the leaks.

Highway Riding

iTrader: (6)

Try to find a lower mileage used motor, service that one and swap it in after it has been all cleaned up etc...