New QX4 Owner

[whitedragon551]

I just bought my first QX4 tonight. Has 133,000 on the clock. Its a 98 so it has some small little quirks that need to be worked out.

First and foremost. There are a couple broken plastic clips on the exterior trim panels. The first panel is the little thin plastic strip at the bottom of the hatch. Where can I get those plastic clips? Second is the passenger side side moldings. Just missing a plastic clip on the front of the molding.

Secondly after a nice drive the engine smells a little like burning oil. I cant see any oil leaks, oil is clean, etc. Where is the most likely place to look?

[Towncivilian]

Welcome to NICO.

Is this the kind of clip you're looking for?



Thoroughly degrease the engine to spot leaks easier. Place some cardboard underneath your parking spot to see if there are any leaks from the underside of the vehicle.

[whitedragon551]

Welcome to NICO.

Is this the kind of clip you're looking for?



Thoroughly degrease the engine to spot leaks easier. Place some cardboard underneath your parking spot to see if there are any leaks from the underside of the vehicle.

That is not the clip. Its a little black plastic clip thats straight on one side. Its hard to tell what the whole thing looks like because all of the clips in the center are broken off.

The engine was already cleaned by the previous owner. He had everything detailed and cleaned before I picked it up. I couldnt see anything, but my father in law said he could smell it and there was a small amount of smoke coming from the exhaust.

[Towncivilian]

I'm afraid I don't know what type of clip you're talking about. Could you post a photo or two?

What color smoke is coming out of the exhaust? If it is blue, that indicates oil consumption. Change your PCV valve with a new OEM one if you don't know if it's ever been changed - see this post for its location.

[whitedragon551]

I'm afraid I don't know what type of clip you're talking about. Could you post a photo or two?

What color smoke is coming out of the exhaust? If it is blue, that indicates oil consumption. Change your PCV valve with a new OEM one if you don't know if it's ever been changed - see this post for its location.

The smoke doesnt really have a color. It almost looks like burning of condensation. The tip of the exhaust is a little blackened, but barely.

The clip is a black clip that holds the trim piece on at the bottom of the tailgate. I think its the number 2 part here:

http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/ ... am=3830485

For the side molding. I think its part 3 here:

http://www.infinitipartsdepartment.com/ ... am=3830370

[Towncivilian]

If you PM me your VIN, I can give you the exact part numbers for those clips.

Is this condensation out of the tail pipe constant, or just when the engine is cold? Is the coolant level in the overflow reservoir constant when checked cold?

[whitedragon551]

If you PM me your VIN, I can give you the exact part numbers for those clips.

Is this condensation out of the tail pipe constant, or just when the engine is cold? Is the coolant level in the overflow reservoir constant when checked cold?

Ill get the VIN tomorrow morning. I dont have it with me right now.

As far condensation out of the tail pipe Im not sure. This is my first SUV and non-American vehicle. Ill have to find those and check them over the course of a couple days. Just got it yesterday. Where is the overflow reservoir?

[Towncivilian]

Download a copy of the owner's manual and the factory service manual. To save a copy of the FSM, right click -> Save As on every PDF, save them into a single folder, then use fwd.pdf to navigate.

[whitedragon551]

I'm afraid I don't know what type of clip you're talking about. Could you post a photo or two?

What color smoke is coming out of the exhaust? If it is blue, that indicates oil consumption. Change your PCV valve with a new OEM one if you don't know if it's ever been changed - see this post for its location.

PCV valve is clean and moves freely.

[whitedragon551]

Topped off the coolant with a cold engine. We will see where it sits over night.

As far as the leak I took it in for its oil change at the 3,000 mark. It was surprising clean oil. Barely dirty at all. However the guy changing the oil thinks it was the rear main seal that needed replaced. Through a work discount I can get the part for $24. However not sure on the actual labor that goes into it.

[Towncivilian]

Color does not necessarily indicate oil "cleanliness". Is oil collecting around the bell housing?

[whitedragon551]

Color does not necessarily indicate oil "cleanliness". Is oil collecting around the bell housing?

Ill check today at work. We have 2 lifts in our shop.

[whitedragon551]

If you PM me your VIN, I can give you the exact part numbers for those clips.

Is this condensation out of the tail pipe constant, or just when the engine is cold? Is the coolant level in the overflow reservoir constant when checked cold?

I cant PM the VIN. I dont have enough posts to get it to you.

[Towncivilian]

I believe the minimum post requirement is 10, so just answer this question: what do you mean by "We will see where it sits over night."? Why would the coolant level drop overnight? I don't follow.

[whitedragon551]

I believe the minimum post requirement is 10, so just answer this question: what do you mean by "We will see where it sits over night."? Why would the coolant level drop overnight? I don't follow.

I topped it off because it was a little low and drove it to work and home. Im letting it cool off over night and Ill check it tomorrow morning before I leave.

[Towncivilian]

Ah, ok, I feel dense. If there is any coolant lost, top up again and if there is still coolant being lost, inspect your radiator cap and replace if necessary with a new OEM one to begin with.

[whitedragon551]

Ah, ok, I feel dense. If there is any coolant lost, top up again and if there is still coolant being lost, inspect your radiator cap and replace if necessary with a new OEM one to begin with.

No loss in coolant. Did you get my PM on the trim clips?

[Towncivilian]

Indeed I did. I've replied to your PM.

When does the condensation out the tailpipe occur?

[whitedragon551]

Indeed I did. I've replied to your PM.

When does the condensation out the tailpipe occur?

Only when the engine is cold. Usually first thing in the morning.

[Towncivilian]

Since it's not blue tinted and you don't smell oil, and you're not losing any coolant, I'd imagine it's just normal condensation build up from sitting overnight. I wouldn't worry about it!

[whitedragon551]

Since it's not blue tinted and you don't smell oil, and you're not losing any coolant, I'd imagine it's just normal condensation build up from sitting overnight. I wouldn't worry about it!

I smell oil burning but not from the actual tail pipe. I put it up on the rack at my mechanics house and the passenger side front axle seal has a small leak and its slinging the oil up onto the downpipe and burning.