Nissan Primera P12 Possible head casket issue?

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   Hi guys:)
I have noticed recently that im getting water from the exhaust and when i put my foot down a little (not thrashing) in 3rd/4th ill get a puff of smoke in higher revs.

I have noticed that the water in the reservoir has gone down over the past month or so with no obvious leak from that or radiator. 

Ive looked in the oil nothing white stuff etc...

Im hoping its just a case of small journeys and condensation in the exhaust but still losing water is a worry..

Any thoughts guys?

Cheers and any suggestions welcome :)

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andym1973 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Redcar Online Status: Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote andym1973 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Nissan Primera P12 Possible head casket issue? Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 5:42pm
	Hi guys:) I have noticed recently that im getting water from the exhaust and when i put my foot down a little (not thrashing) in 3rd/4th ill get a puff of smoke in higher revs. I have noticed that the water in the reservoir has gone down over the past month or so with no obvious leak from that or radiator. Ive looked in the oil nothing white stuff etc... Im hoping its just a case of small journeys and condensation in the exhaust but still losing water is a worry.. Any thoughts guys? Cheers and any suggestions welcome :)

p11primeragt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Online Status: Points: 18750	Post Options Post Reply Quote p11primeragt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 5:49pm
	How much water has you loss ? Any power loss ? You could have a water leak somewhere at the rear of the block and it's burning off therfore you can not see any leaks,can you smell coolant burning anytime ? Any air bubbles in the rad or expension tank with the engine hot and some revs at the same time ?

andym1973 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Redcar Online Status: Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote andym1973 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 5:57pm
	Its spurt of water (from exhaust) not massive amounts but noticeable...when i warm the car up i.e a small journey im sure its not doing it then... Just reved the car and cant see any bubbling in the expansion tank or radiator.

p11primeragt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Online Status: Points: 18750	Post Options Post Reply Quote p11primeragt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 6:12pm
	Sounds like condensation then as you don't have any other systems also,if warm and it don't do it anymore and your sure,then you have nothing to worry about imo !

mattsix Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 30 May 2013 Location: gravesend Online Status: Points: 2805	Post Options Post Reply Quote mattsix Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 6:21pm
	To check for head gasket failure drive car to normal temp and leave to run and wait for radiator fan's to kick in! if the expansion tank bubble's up ie. boil's like a kettle consistently then the head gasket maybe shafted along with oil in expansion tank and cream under oil filler cap a bit like a good colour of harry munk but more creamier as well as steam coming out your exhaust. How often do you take the car for a good run etc.

andym1973 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Redcar Online Status: Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote andym1973 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 6:39pm
	In all honesty the car is used for very small journeys couple of miles at a time :/ Dont seem to go very far these days..probably the cost of fuel and the great mpg from the primera lol Tried looking for the cream under the filler cap and it looks clear but over the next few days ill keep a good eye on it take it for a run to be 100% :) Really appreciate the comments guys just hoping its a case of running small journeys and the exhaust not being able to warm up causing condensation. Cheers Lads :)

Ant-Dat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List NPOC Legend 1998 Primera GT Joined: 15 May 2003 Location: In workshop Online Status: Points: 16125	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ant-Dat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Oct 2013 at 10:14pm
	never mind really what the expansion tank does, it will change quite a bit, as long as you not using loads of water it's fine, the 2.0 P12 does however suffer from head gasket issues. it is very normal to get water coming out of any car exhaust on small trips, due to the system not getting hot enough to dry out, You have to watch this though or you will engine up hand in pocket for new exhaust systems quit a bit.
	SB "he isn't human, he is a machine that never falter

andym1973 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Redcar Online Status: Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote andym1973 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 2:29pm
	cheers guys ill have to keep an eye on this...hoping its just the small journeys and he exhaust did show deterioration on the last mot, offcourse just could be natural but things are pointing at the small journeys causing this issue...fingers crossed atleast :)

p11primeragt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NPOC Guest Joined: 29 Jul 2011 Online Status: Points: 18750	Post Options Post Reply Quote p11primeragt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 2013 at 4:08pm
	Also if you are doing lots of very short journeys and have been for a long time,it would be worthwhile imo to have a decent longish ride to get the engine well upto temp and help stopping sludge appear,because it could sludge up eventually.