My 1998 Nissan Pathfinder proved that a bad head gasket could be a major problem. I loved that truck. Well, I called it a truck even though it was classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The spare tire was attached to the rear door, which allowed for a ton of cargo space. Unfortunately, in 1998 most mid-size SUVs were not meant for heavy duty four wheel driving.

My first car repair was a costly one. It was not long after an off-road adventure. I looked out my rearview mirror and a huge trail of white smoke was coming from my exhaust pipes. When I called my local mechanic he said it sounded like a head gasket. With that, I brought my SUV to the garage and he discovered that the head gasket was attached to the engine cylinder, which turned into a significant auto repair project.

The cylinder head bolts and threading are made of aluminum, which made them easy to strip if the exact amount of torque was not applied. There is a very detailed process in changing a head gasket on a Nissan Pathfinder. Apparently, my mechanic had to remove the exhaust manifold, exhaust flange, rear timing chain case and timing chain, O-rings to cylinder head, intake valve, exhaust camshafts and camshaft brackets. Needless to say, the cost of the labor to repair my car was more than the parts were.

Despite this costly mechanical experience, I would later buy another Nissan Pathfinder a few years later. I was pleased that my new Nissan had nearly no mechanical issues. I did drive my second Nissan with a little less aggression, and wouldn’t you know it, the head gasket outlasted the life of the car.