Please....need advice on my '95 J30, bought used May '07

[j30jinxx]

Bear with me guys, I have mediocre knowledge of cars, at best. : )

In May I purchased a J30 ('95) from a co-worker moving out of the area. He had always kept it in a garage, premium fuel, frequent oil changes. He told me it still had the original battery (it never hasn't started) and when I asked if the timing belt had been replaced, he said it hadn't. I called the dealer today for an est and was told that it will cost me more than $1500. and will include water pump replacement. It has 124,000 mi on it. Runs sluggish and it's noisy. Squeals when I start it almost every time, but after I put it in gear, it stops. I had an oil change, fluids flushed and tire rotation last month and the mechanic said there is a hole in the exhaust and that he didn't expect it to pass state inspection (due this December) without at least a patch. I don't know of any local, reputable mechanics. I had to take the car to my local Infiniti dealer recently to have the driver's door latch assay replaced and they were fast and very nice. (stop laughing!) I thought the price was fairly reasonable ($220.)

I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks...

[AlphaKilo470]

I'd worry about the timing belt first. They are supposedly supposed to last 100,000 miles and if it snaps, things will get ugly. You might be able to do the job yourself; the guy I bought my J30 from installed a new timing belt himself and he says it was over a year ago. After three months and 3,000+ miles of driving the car myself, there hasn't been any trouble yet.
Modified by AlphaKilo470 at 6:31 PM 9/17/2007

[driverdriver]

Welcome to NICO j30jinxx!!!

Get the timing belt done ASAP the J engine is an interference type engine. If the timing belt snaps your basically looking at the replacement cost for a new or rebuilt engine.

If you can't find a reputable and trustworthy mechanic who is familar with the 300zx engine (both the J30 and 300zx have the the same basic engine) stick to a Nissan/Infiniti dealer. The J30 engine is different from a run of the mill say Chevy or Honda engine.

Do the water pump with the timing belt. The new belt is Kevlar and it will last a very long time.

[j30jinxx]

...... You might be able to do the job yourself; ......

Unfortunately, I can't do it myself.

...... a reputable and trustworthy mechanic who is familar with the 300zx engine .......

That's one of my concerns, that I won't find a mechanic familiar with the J30.

There is also a headlight out, the hole in the exhaust and the sunroof slide mechanism is shot (common and labor intensive, I realize from reading here) and the radio display doesn't illuminate all the time. The headlight, exhaust problem and timing belt all need to be addressed, and I can look past the other issues, which are more cosmetic, IMO. I just dread putting out so much $ at once if I don't know what else could go next. I got this car for $2200. which seemed like a great deal at the time.

I appreciate any comments and all advice...

[StevieRaySTL]

Alternator belt will likely cause that squeal, I cleared that up on mine recently. Try finding a Nissan/Infin. mecanic near you using Nico, there's bound to be plenty in the NJ area. You should be able to have both of those belts and a water pump done for $700ish. I am thinking of having mine done for the second time(im at 180xxx), I just got a quote for $500ish. If the body is straight and theres no rust, I'd say you got a nice deal, I paid 3k in '04 for my 93 @ 135xxx. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way, and if the car's history is good you should get another 100k out of it. As far as your dim stereo, those old Bose systems just get that way, my Acura's is that way, and I put a Sony head unit in my J. If the CD player still works I wouldn't sweat it. Have a good one.
Modified by StevieRaySTL at 5:21 PM 9/20/2007

[gr8scott72]

Alternator belt will likely cause that squeal, I cleared that up on mine recently. Try finding a Nissan/Infin. mecanic near you using Nico, there's bound to be plenty in the NJ area. You should be able to have both of those belts and a water pump done for $700ish. I am thinking of having mine done for the second time(im at 180xxx), I just got a quote for $500ish. If the body is straight and theres no rust, I'd say you got a nice deal, I paid 3k in '04 for my 93 @ 135xxx. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way, and if the car's history is good you should get another 100k out of it. As far as your dim stereo, those old Bose systems just get that way, my Acura's is that way, and I put a Sony head unit in my J. If the CD player still works I wouldn't sweat it. Have a good one.

Modified by StevieRaySTL at 5:21 PM 9/20/2007

I still think I got the best deal on here.

[StevieRaySTL]

I still think I got the best deal on here.

For that 3k mine came with a $9000 aftermarket x-flow exhaust. So I felt like I did okay. And BTW, your post is kind of a thread jack, so let's help this guy find a mechanic in Jersey. I'd like to see j30jinx have as good of an experience with his J as you and I have. PS, jinx did you try putting out a feeler for a mechanic in the Gen. Chat? Might be worth a try.

[yodawill2000]

"I still think I got the best deal on here. "

And I still think your a DAWG !!! lol

[j30jinxx]

....., so let's help this guy find a mechanic in Jersey. I'd like to see j30jinx have as good of an experience with his J as you and I have. PS, jinx did you try putting out a feeler for a mechanic in the Gen. Chat? Might be worth a try.

Well, I'm not a guy, but I appreciate all the posts. I did find a Nissan owner via one of the threads here and he lives a few minutes from me. I am going to find out who he uses.

For the next 7 months, I have a relative's car in my driveway, so I can use that while I decide whether to trade-in my J30 or spend the $$ to get the necessary repairs.

[gr8scott72]

Well, I'm not a guy, but I appreciate all the posts. I did find a Nissan owner via one of the threads here and he lives a few minutes from me. I am going to find out who he uses.

For the next 7 months, I have a relative's car in my driveway, so I can use that while I decide whether to trade-in my J30 or spend the $$ to get the necessary repairs.

If you can't find someone to fix it and keep it up that you trust or if you can't do the work yourself, you are much better getting something that is easier and cheaper to keep on the road. That's why the older ones go for so little. The upkeep is more than most cars.

Start calling thru the yellow pages and see if you can find someone familiar with either the J30 or someone that has or does work on the 300zx.

You should be able to find someone that will do the timing belt job for around $400.

Did he say where the exhaust leak is coming from? It very well could be from the exhaust manifold. That seems to be a common problem on the J. I had to get one replaced on my 93 J and iirc it cost about $250, parts and labor.

[driverdriver]

You should do a "google" search for and 300zx clubs in your area. Most major metropolitan centers have one. They will steer you in the right direction.

[driverdriver]

I found you one:

http://www.njzclub.com/

[elan]

Scott $400 is too little as for my opinion, It's a lot of job actually, it took me 9 hours to do the whole belt/pump/thermostat job. And I was not really slow and all tools were prepared in advance. Infiniti in toronto gave e an estimate of 10 hours with 120CAD/hour I sent them to hell. $600-700 can be more reasonable.

j30jinxx you can go to NY there are a lot of shops who do exhausts. They are located near a junk yard on an intersection of Grand Central Parkway and Northen Boulvard in Queens. I'm not sure how far it is from your place. I'm sure you will be able to fins someone doing the belt job too.

Also do not forget to replace the thermostat otherwise you might need to do a lot of job again.

So your highest priority is the belt then exhaust for the inspection, replace the battery if it's more than 4 years old or you can loose the alternator when the battery dies. The sunroof and the radio is the common problem.

[gr8scott72]

Scott $400 is too little as for my opinion, It's a lot of job actually, it took me 9 hours to do the whole belt/pump/thermostat job. And I was not really slow and all tools were prepared in advance. Infiniti in toronto gave e an estimate of 10 hours with 120CAD/hour I sent them to hell. $600-700 can be more reasonable.

j30jinxx you can go to NY there are a lot of shops who do exhausts. They are located near a junk yard on an intersection of Grand Central Parkway and Northen Boulvard in Queens. I'm not sure how far it is from your place. I'm sure you will be able to fins someone doing the belt job too.

Also do not forget to replace the thermostat otherwise you might need to do a lot of job again.

So your highest priority is the belt then exhaust for the inspection, replace the battery if it's more than 4 years old or you can loose the alternator when the battery dies. The sunroof and the radio is the common problem.

Got mine done at an independent Lexus/Infiniti shop for $380.

[elan]

Got mine done at an independent Lexus/Infiniti shop for $380.

Oh man, you are lucky, Infiniti at different places has estimated it around 1k for me

[StevieRaySTL]

For the next 7 months, I have a relative's car in my driveway, so I can use that while I decide whether to trade-in my J30 or spend the $$ to get the necessary repairs.

Sorry about calling you a guy, jinxie, I def. recommend fixing the J if you have a free loaner. It'll give you time to save up a few dollars & work out the bugs. Also, unless you are buying an economy car, the routine maintenance and upkeep should be less than a payment on something of comparable power and comfort. I believe you should be able to find someone in your area that is capable of servicing the vg30, search import specialists, and get a quote from a handfull and compare. A reasonable price for all that you need shouldn't be more than a grand, good luck and keep us posted!

[j30jinxx]

Thank you all!

I am actually in a rural area, approx 3 hrs south of NYC, and an hour east of PA.

Not sure where the hole in the exhaust is, but the car sure is noisy. The battery is the original. I guess I am just feeling overwhelmed by all that it needs, but with your advice, I am better abole to prioritiza the repairs.

Thank you! I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again.

[elan]

I would definitely recommend you to replace the battery asap as this one can die any time, the lease you lose is the time and towing fees which will be the same or more than a price of a new battery , or you can lose the alternator as well which will be around 300 bucks then change the timing belt. Forget about the exhaust , it's not very important until you do the test , I have passed the test once with a hole in the exhaust.

[StevieRaySTL]

Regarding the exhaust, it might be a real easy and cheap fix, if it's in the tubing & not the muffler, cat, or manifold. Try your cheapy chain muffler stores, get two or three free estimates & quiet her down---or put it off awhile & go racin'-- VrOOOm!!

[gr8scott72]

Regarding the exhaust, it might be a real easy and cheap fix, if it's in the tubing & not the muffler, cat, or manifold. Try your cheapy chain muffler stores, get two or three free estimates & quiet her down---or put it off awhile & go racin'-- VrOOOm!!

Yes, you need to pinpoint where it's leaking from, but if it's the manifold, it's not a "go racin' " type sound. It's just loud and annoying. (It also robs the car of power)

[beemer2001]

i found out the ost nissan mechanics are also familiar with infinitis. check the out.

[gr8scott72]

i found out the ost nissan mechanics are also familiar with infinitis. check the out.

What is an ost nissan mechanic?

[StevieRaySTL]

I dunno.... you'll have to 'check the out'.....hehe.

[yodawill2000]

Think he missed a few M's hehe

[Q45tech]

We always warn used buyers to expect $3,000-$10,000 in defered mainteance and worn out parts on an old Q, the J30 isn't quite as expensive so $2500- $6,000 should be available just in case.

Be sure to change ATF and flush the in rad ATF heat exchanger as you want to prolong transmission replacement.

Engine [injectors, pumps, fuel hoses and pressure regulator] were not designed to function well on ethanolized fuel so avoid if possible.

The crank angle sensor and VVT solenoids can fail if oil change habit were not 4-5 times per year.

[j30jinxx]

Thank you all for the continued advice.

I am going to hold off on any repairs until I run it through mandatory state inspection, due in December. Unfortunately, considering my situation, I might not be the best owner for this car.

[StevieRaySTL]

I think you should be able to get everything straight for a grand, 1500 tops. If you decide not to keep it, post it for sale here on Nico for a little more than what you have invested. IMHO the Js upkeep is worth it b/c it is such a beautiful car. Really the maintenance isn't too bad. GL. Keep us posted. Thanx