I have a 2000 xterra 3.3 that looks like it is leaking coolant at the back of the passenger head gasket. Has anyone else experienced this ?

Possible heater core hoses leaking?

-G

It doesn't look like it, I guess I need to get a mirror and look for sure. If your under the vehicle looking up it seems to be dripping at the corner of the head where it meets the block, looks to be on the side rather than the back of head.

Yup, sounds like the gasket blew.

I fixed mine with some head gasket sealer, poured it in, and it was fine after that...in ~ 2006 or so.

(Worth a shot at least)

I was checking heater hose and bottom hose had a leak in it, don't know if this is the main problem but looks like it. I was taking the hose off and it just started falling apart so I start taking top hose off and the heater core pipe broke off. I didn't know that the top pipe is plastic and it just crumbled in the hose.

So I have a new question, has anyone put a heater core in one of these ? I have a haynes manual and it looks like a major PIA.

From posts made before (search...) it is a PITA. From what I recall, you have to take at least a portion of the dash out to get to it as it's replaced from the inside. There was a post made once about how a guy jerry-rigged a new piece on the core to reconnect the hose, but IIRC, it didn't turn out well and leaked.

In any event, check junkyards for the part, it's not a cheap part to get new.

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

-Gonzo