Gallery Gasket Failures in the Skyline V36

[o2bfit]

It is well documented that the 2008-2012 model year Nissan 370z and Infiniti G37 cars have experienced the gallery gasket issue. This is where the paper gallery gaskets in the VQ37VHR disintegrate causing a drop in engine oil pressure and potential engine failure. You generally get no warning, mileage varies from 40k-150k miles when it happens and when it throws a few codes its considered too late. From what I read, Nissan revised the gasket to use metal for the 2013+ engines.

I've scoured the internet looking for Skyline V36 370GT owners having this issue but have not found any. Considering the Infiniti G37 was also made in Japan, I'd expect to see the same issue in the Skyline V36.

I'm trying to ascertain:
- How many V36 Skyline coupe, sedan and crossover owners experienced this issue and at what milage did it occur?
- Does the VQ25HR in the 2006-2012 Skyline V36 250GT Sedan have the same issue?

[o2bfit]

Also keen to know whether owners are getting high milage i.e 200+kms without having issues

Edited April 26, 2022 by o2bfit

[V35_Paul]

haven't heard of this issue before But i guess as time goes by and more V36 get over 150k we might

[o2bfit]

Plenty of owners of Japanese 370z cars have experienced it so its baffling why the issue isn't been reported for V36 Skylines. The VQ35HR engine is affected too 

This is a good link that explains common issues with the VQ37VHR. "Oil Galley" (I believe its correctly called Oil Gallery) is at the top of the list.

Its hard to determine how big an issue it is. On one side, the thinking is that because there is no recall for the problem from Nissan and the sheer number of units sold it is likely to be a rare occurrence. On the other, Infiniti G37 and 370z owners have experienced the issue often enough that they consider it inevitable.

From www.my370z.com 

[mooij]

I read some horror stories when I first got my car so threw an oil pressure gauge in when I upgraded my cooler. 

Common enough to keep in the back of your mind anyway I guess. 

 

[steV36]

There has been a few unofficial surveys conducted in Fb groups in the US. I saw one with over 900 replies resulting in about 15% of people having gallery gasket issues. This was in a G35/G37 page so Z’s weren’t really included. I’ve heard of 2 confirmed gasket failures in Australia on V36’s.

It can be catastrophic but I don’t think it’s as common as people are lead to believe. 

[Vee37]

What would be the expected cost to do a preemptive replacement of the Oil Gallery Gasket (in Aus of course)? I would expect there to be a range, from where the mechanic has underestimated the extent of the work, to the higher price, where the mechanic has a higher hourly rate and they have added in an extra buffer in case its harder than they expect.

Also, are the replacement gasket of the same material? or are they now synthetic/metal etc etc. I looked on ebay, and the one found was black, but didn't say what its made of; the above photo looks kinda light brown and thin, but that after a failure.

Edited May 6, 2022 by Vee37

[Vee37]

whops... the gasket is black,my mistake...

[Vee37]

its getting late, but I came across the following thread with lots of info, including words from people that its happened to. Prices are $USD

[Duncan]

On 07/05/2022 at 12:22 AM, Vee37 said:

its getting late, but I came across the following thread with lots of info, including words from people that its happened to. Prices are $USD

too late to remember to paste the link in?

[Vee37]

On 5/7/2022 at 6:41 AM, Duncan said:

too late to remember to paste the link in?

I wasnt joking,, I was half asleep... sorry....

https://www.myg37.com/forums/engine-drivetrain-and-forced-induction/290710-gallery-gasket-is-it-inevitable.html

[o2bfit]

The amount of labour should be along the same lines as replacing a timing chain or water pump - 8 to 12 hours. I was quoted $3.5k by the local dealership to replace the timing chain in my V35 (including parts and labour).
Here is the parts list from the myg37 forum, USD pricing

All OEM parts unless otherwise specified
Tensioner: 13070-EY00A - $70.49
Timing Chain:13028-ZS70A - $91.88
Water Pump: B1010-JK20A - $70.60
Gasket Maker: 999MP-1217HP- $15
Coolant: 999MP-L25500P - $15
Serpentine Belt: 11720-EY00A - $35
Timing Cover Kit w. OEM Gallery Gaskets and 9 bolts (CZP) -129.74
https://conceptzperformance.com/niss...kt_p_32295.php

Z1motorsports make a metal gasket which might be a better option

To monitor the potential issue, I'm not keen to install an additional oil pressure gauge. The stock oil pressure sensor turns on the dash warning light at 5psi which is a late warning. Can this sensor be replaced so it can turn on the warning light at 10psi considering the minimum oil pressure at hot idle should be at least 14psi?

[Vee37]

On 5/9/2022 at 8:45 PM, o2bfit said:

...snip...

To monitor the potential issue, I'm not keen to install an additional oil pressure gauge. The stock oil pressure sensor turns on the dash warning light at 5psi which is a late warning. Can this sensor be replaced so it can turn on the warning light at 10psi considering the minimum oil pressure at hot idle should be at least 14psi?

Huh? Why would you NOT be keen to install an oil pressure guage?

[o2bfit]

To be honest, I simply prefer the installed from factory look.

I've been following motorvatediy mini-dash display and bluetooth server which looks promising and keen to see the final product. If it can output via the Aux to the Nav screen, even better.

The oil pressure reading is usually taken at hot idle and 2k rpms; get the sensor to turn on the oil pressure warning light when the oil pressure is less than 14 psi. It should be enough warning before damage occurs? I'm not sure whether the ECU uses the sensor for anything else.

[o2bfit]

On 5/10/2022 at 5:00 PM, o2bfit said:

I've been following motorvatediy mini-dash display and bluetooth server which looks promising and keen to see the final product. If it can output via the Aux to the Nav screen, even better.

I'm hoping they can get the mini-dash install to look factory. If not, an option hide it in the centre console box and use the aux would be great (feature request)

[Vee37]

On 5/10/2022 at 3:00 PM, o2bfit said:

To be honest, I simply prefer the installed from factory look.

I've been following motorvatediy mini-dash display and bluetooth server which looks promising and keen to see the final product. If it can output via the Aux to the Nav screen, even better.

The oil pressure reading is usually taken at hot idle and 2k rpms; get the sensor to turn on the oil pressure warning light when the oil pressure is less than 14 psi. It should be enough warning before damage occurs? I'm not sure whether the ECU uses the sensor for anything else.

I am with you on not having a glaring out of context round guage bolted to the side of the interior/dash. I am thinking yes to the pressure sensor on my next oil & filter change, but will make some effort to find something a little less intrusive than the round guages you get at supercheap auto.

Around 25-30 years ago, I owned a Mitsubiush Starion Turbo, with a modded boost limit with stock fuel inj. So, I added a 10 segment square LED guage that read and displayed the O2 sensor. It was soooooo small, as it was made up of 10 of those tiny rectangular LED's (2x5mm) all stuck to the side of each other. So it was possibly just over 5mm high by 20mm wide. Very easy to locate somewhere unobtrusive. It was VERY simply to fabricate, with only a few extra parts on top of the LEDs and IC. I even just used black electrical tape to hold it together instead of a plastic case. I had the first three LED's as RED, the next 4 as Orange and the last two as green. I am hoping someone, somewhere prefabs the LED and the single IC as a single prefab unit. With something like.

The actual chip is really cheap (<$9) and very common and old, and even sold at JayCar https://www.jaycar.com.au/lm3914-linear-led-bar-dot-driver-ic/p/ZL3914 with the instructions / circuit diagram in the downloads of that page. 

I am guessing the Oil pressure sensors simply send out a voltage (My old O2 was 0-1.0V). From memory, I knocked it up in a single afternoon, after collecting all the parts. I think dicksmith in those days. I dont think I have  the current drive to do it all myself again.

[mooij]

I installed one of these knock off gauges kits: https://www.justraceparts.com.au/10in1-automotive-digital-oled-multi-gauge-display

Slotted in pretty nicely to the console. 

I had a look into OBD sollutions and tried mucking around with getting it to display on an aftermarket screen but it was too much hassle.

You can adjust the audible alarm to whatever pressure/temp you want for peice of mind. Small enough to ignore when im driving to work but big enough to glance down at on track. 

 

[Vee37]

On 5/11/2022 at 1:46 PM, mooij said:

...snip...

I had a look into OBD sollutions and tried mucking around with getting it to display on an aftermarket screen but it was too much hassle.

...snip...

I have my phone already mounted, and dislaying the ODB readings, unfortunately, oil pressure is not available. As of course you would know, the guage you have requires the extra sensors to drive the results. The only extra sensor I think I wish for is the oil pressure one. Did you manage to find the oil pressure using ODB? You seem to imply you only gave up regarding displaying it on the car's screen implying it was available.

The below is where my phone sits. ie I dont need or want it to consume the screen. Its always connected for music, at the very least, but I also drive with Nav even when I know the way. Accident/Police/pot-holes(really handy with sports suspension and ultra low profile tyres)/traffic/cars on side of road/construction etc etc reports are always on hand. I use the AUX input for audio, but I would assume the video AUX would also work, but my Pixel phone has been consciously broken by google to force people to use their screen sharing method instead of an AUX out. And I think the always available type like your screen would be best for the oil pressure.

NB: Thats not actually my car, mine does  not have seat warmers. Which would be a possible location to install some LED's for oil pressure.

 

So you would hacve oil pressure. Where is the sensor located? The thread I linked above talks about options and their effects on readings.

Edited May 11, 2022 by Vee37

[o2bfit]

Kudos to The Aussie Shed for doing an in-depth video on the gallery gasket replacement on his 370GT. 

[mooij]

The Aussie Shed is an absolute legend, Motorvate DIY too 😍

 

I have an in-line oil temp sensor on my line to the oil cooler, and my oil pressure sensor is on the return line.
The location obviously has some impact on the reading, however if you're familiar with the reading when the motor is (presumably) healthy, you can just use that that to benchmark off. 

I used the in-line sensors due to convenience and so I could leave the OEM stuff alone. From memory I still needed an aftermarket Oil pressure sensor paired with OBD for the other stats.

Yeah the reason I stopped persuing the Android auto/OBD/display path was due to the JDM display protocals made it very dificult to replicate on an aftermarket LCD screen. Could be different with a non-nav screen or the G37 screens but I was well and truely over the project to look into it any further.

Here's a link to what I was trying to acheive but eventually gave up on.
https://www.myg37.com/forums/audio-video-and-electronics/296526-how-i-replaced-upgraded-the-center-display-with-high-res-andriod-auto.html