Troubleshooting the R34: Uncovering the Blown Head Gasket

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- By Dushyant
- (@dishs)
In this latest Tj Hunt video, we find ourselves knee-deep in the heart-wrenching tale of a car gone wrong. The R34, a machine revered by enthusiasts far and wide, falls victim to the dreaded "money" shift. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the driver, in a moment of unfortunate human error, mistakenly shifted from second to first gear, unleashing a cascade of calamity upon the unsuspecting vehicle.
With the check engine light mocking their every move, the team embarks on a quest to uncover the root cause of the R34's misfortune. Spark plugs are inspected, compression is tested, and mechanical timing is scrutinized. But alas, no immediate answers are found. Undeterred, the team delves deeper into the bowels of the machine, employing mirrors and angles reminiscent of a bygone era to inspect the elusive mechanical timing.
As the investigation intensifies, the team decides to replace the coil packs and spark plugs in a last-ditch effort to rectify the car's ailing state. A glimmer of hope emerges as the engine purrs with newfound vigor at idle, but alas, the respite is short-lived. The car continues to misfire and break up under acceleration, leaving the team scratching their heads in bewilderment.
In a bold move, the valve covers are removed, granting access to the inner workings of the engine. The team meticulously inspects the shims, searching for any signs of irregularity. Their efforts, however, yield no conclusive evidence. Frustration mounts, and the team contemplates the next course of action. A leak-down test is proposed, a test that perhaps should have been undertaken earlier in this harrowing tale. But as they say, better late than never.
The results of the leak-down test send shockwaves through the team. The culprit is revealed - a breached head gasket. The combustion has seeped its way into places it should never venture, causing the car's woes. While relief washes over the team, there lingers a sense of trepidation. Could there be more to this tale? Could the head be cracked as well? With bated breath, the head is inspected, and to their great fortune, no cracks are found.

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube

Image copyright Youtube
Watch I Damaged my HKS RB28 Engine in my R34 GTR on Youtube
Viewer Reactions for I Damaged my HKS RB28 Engine in my R34 GTR
Tj Hunt's build was ruined a week after delivery due to a money shift
Speculation about Hector running three Honda Civics with impressive modifications
Adam LZ references a movie quote about granny shifting and piston rings
Appreciation for the detailed video and transparency from Tj Hunt
Suggestions to check valve clearance, replace studs, and perform a leak-down test
Comments about learning a lot from the video and the enjoyment of watching the diagnosis process
Speculation about bent valves and the possibility of an LS swap
Observations about broken parts, chipped valves, and cracked belts
Recommendations to clean the block surface, check for warping, and replace head studs
Excitement about the presence of a GTT and suggestions to seek professional help from D Sport in SoCal
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