VG30 Head Gasket Replacement: WD21 Nissan Pathfinder Step-by-Step Guide
If you are finding oil in your coolant, chocolate milk under the radiator cap, or suspect a blown head gasket on your WD21 Nissan Pathfinder or D21 Hardbody, this article walks through the process I used to replace the head gaskets on my VG30E.
This was done on my Pathmaker trail rig after years of full throttle launches, redline abuse, and general automotive stupidity. The engine was still running, but oil was starting to show up in the coolant and the radiator cap was starting to look like chocolate milk.
The VG30E is a tough engine, but once the head gaskets start to go, it is time to tear into it.
This guide covers the teardown, setting the engine to top dead center, removing the intake, timing belt, cylinder heads, cleaning the block and heads, reinstalling the heads, setting up the timing belt, and getting the engine running again.
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Quick Answer
- The WD21 Nissan Pathfinder and D21 Hardbody VG30E head gaskets can be replaced at home, but it is a fairly involved job.
- The engine should be set to top dead center before teardown so the timing marks are easier to keep track of.
- The upper intake, lower intake, front accessories, timing belt, cam sprockets, exhaust manifolds or headers, and cylinder heads all need to come off.
- You need the factory service manual for the correct head bolt removal order, torque sequence, and timing belt setup.
- This is a good time to replace the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, and rotor.
- The VG30E timing belt tensioner setup can be confusing, so take your time and double check belt tension before final assembly.