1990 Q45 timing chain, unrepairable? (Turned out to be 1994 Q45)

[aliciaford]

My mechanic called me this am, he has a customer who has a 90 Q45 that never had the chain guides replaced. Now, chain was thrown and there is engine damage, I am not sure of the extent. I can buy the car as is for $100.00 for a parts car. It has really low miles and is a beauty, but is it beyond repair? My Q is also a 90 with 135,000 miles on it, do you think its worth buying for a parts car?

[bullittandy]

Any car is worth $100. If it has even 1 part that you need, such as a armrest or seat or fender etc etc then its a steal!! In addition, other people need parts too and you can make a lot of money selling, I've made about $4000 on a $1200 parts car.

however, you need the ability to store a parts car and the know how to get parts off and you have to be patient, I've had mine for over a year.

[maxnix]

Depends if you know the maintenance history and if you think moving your engine and /or transmission over is a good alternative.

Like Andy says, even if it is just a parts car, it is worth $100.

135K miiles is nothing on a maintained G50. It should just be broken in.

[jimbyjimb]

Snatch it quick.

[aliciaford]

it turned out to be a 1994 Q45 with 120,000 miles on it. Timing chain broken. Car is in pristine condition, not a scratch on her, new tires/wheels, ect.. Its got me wondering if I could take the motor from my 1990 and drop it in the 1994. The car is just so cherry... I hate to make it a parts car, its in such good shape with a stack of maintenance records. My 1990 is due for struts, brakes and a fuel pump soon, I wonder if it might be better to put that money into the 94 and make the 90 the parts car??? Ideas?

[maxnix]

Electricals and interior trim, windows, engine and transmission are all different.

Installing a JDM take out engine would make it worthwhile.

[aliciaford]

oops.. Didnt mean to double post. Where would I get a JDM engine? Cost? More info please

[qship96]

Something smells like FISH here....a 94Q, especially with low miles, with a broken timing chain?

Keep digging, there is more to this than what is currently revealed!

[szh]

oops.. Didnt mean to double post.

I merged the two threads together, since you had additional information about the actual model year ... carry on!

Z

[aliciaford]

I looked at this car about 3 years ago, it had about 70,000 miles at that time, I belonged to an older couple, customers of mine. It was a third car for them, and it didnt get much drive time as their house here is a vacation home I think. Anyway, I decided the price was too high at the time and to just keep my 1990 Q. He ended up giving the car to his daughter in law who put on about 50,000 miles in the last 3 years. I doubt it has been maintained much since she got it, but the mechanic we use called me about the car. He said the timing chain was broken and it would cost thousands to fix, he advised them to have it fixed because the car is worth it, but daughter in law is now divorced and is moving and needs to get rid of the car. She offered it to us for $100 and to get it out of her yard ASAP, as she has sold her house. Do you think the mechanic is wrong??? What sounds fishy the low miles or the diagnosis?

[paranoidjack]

I looked at this car about 3 years ago, it had about 70,000 miles at that time, I belonged to an older couple, customers of mine. It was a third car for them, and it didnt get much drive time as their house here is a vacation home I think. Anyway, I decided the price was too high at the time and to just keep my 1990 Q. He ended up giving the car to his daughter in law who put on about 50,000 miles in the last 3 years. I doubt it has been maintained much since she got it, but the mechanic we use called me about the car. He said the timing chain was broken and it would cost thousands to fix, he advised them to have it fixed because the car is worth it, but daughter in law is now divorced and is moving and needs to get rid of the car. She offered it to us for $100 and to get it out of her yard ASAP, as she has sold her house. Do you think the mechanic is wrong??? What sounds fishy the low miles or the diagnosis?

If you have room for it, as the others said, for $100, YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

You'll make at least that back with 8 hours of part removal and selling off parts, then donate the vehicle for a tax deduction.

A 1990 Honda is worth $100, much less a g50.

[Q45tech]

A proper professional engine swap will be $4,000- $5,000 starting with a pristine JDM engine take out shipped to a competent service facility {$1500-$2,000].Each used engine is unique because of the amount of rehabilitation necessary to restore it to as new condition [this can add $1,000- $2,000 in parts and labor] to the basic $1500- $2,000 delivered price then comes the actual swap out which takes 10 hours. {$850-$1000]

When we price an engine we replace everything so that the engine can go for 3 years +++ so that the customer gets real value in the process.

KNOWING THAT IT TAKES $2000-$3,000 per year to keep up the rest of the Q45.

New spark plugs, new KS, all new hoses, new seals, valve cover reseals, new belts, new idler pullies, and the best of the old parts with 2 engines to chose from.

We just won't do a cheap and dirty half assed job because we provide a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty and the typical poor customer will come back 3 years later and complain and whine and beg

[aliciaford]

let me ask this... just because the timing chain is broken, does that mean the motor has to be replaced no matter what? Maybe my mechanic doesnt know...he is admittedly a BMW/European car mechanic.. (wishful thinking)

[goody90q45]

If the timing chain really is broken then the engine is trash. It would be the same result as the timing chain slipping a few teeth in the 90-93 because of guide and tensioner wear.

If you have $100 and a place to put the car definately get it. There's at least $2000 in easy to get to parts for you to keep as spares and to sell. This is without removing any of the drive train or wheels and the salvage yard should pay you to come and tow it away. I speak from experience since I've had 3 parts cars, hence the custom title "Q45 Undertaker". All you need is a few basic tools and USPS and PayPal accounts and you're on your way. Good luck.

BTW- What color exterior and interior?

[aliciaford]

BTW... Car is black with tan interior. My 90 is blue/gray with blue leather interior. The only reason I am hesitant is because I am not sure what I can actually swap from the 94 to my 90. The 90 has sentimental value to me, as it was my grandfathers... I am sure it will be well worth the $100. My husband is not thrilled about another Q in the driveway that needs work...

[slybydesignq45t]

Alicia go for it. You will not loose. The color combo is sweet. 100 Bucks plus the cost of towing. Find a third, yes thats right, a third Q running of the same vintage and swap the engines, when your done you would should have spent no more then $2,500 for the entire ordeal. Then dump the other cars for the difference. You will be driving a cream puff, plus you would have cash in your pocket to boot. Good luck.

[maxnix]

..swap the engines, when your done you would should have spent no more then $2,500 for the entire ordeal.

I would be checking the brake, differential and ATF fluids before making that assertion.

[qship96]

15 year old car with swapped motor is still a 15 year old car.....a/c system, steering rack, MAF, heater door, radiator,driveshaft, entire suspension, exhaust....the list of old worn tired parts is endless and super expensive as we all know.

Nissan is beginning to drop parts for our old Q just as we will really begin to need them- the steering line I needed 2 weeks ago was discontinued and unavailable, just the beginning of the end unless you want to go dumpster diving.

Not sure now is the time to start anew with a old Q, especially with the low amount produced and the small amount of dead ones to pick 13-20 year old worn tired parts from.Kind of takes the luxury right out of the luxury car ownership experience.

[slybydesignq45t]

I would be checking the brake, differential and ATF fluids before making that assertion.

Your 100% correct. I think she would obviously have to do all the other work around the engine swap, but its not a bad deal if she has a trusted shop that can get this done for her. I am sure we all know how intense the project can be. I went threw an engine rebuild before, and it wasn't sweet, because I trusted a mechanic that I shouldn't have. I've learned since then, which was about 5 years ago. I still think it will be a good deal for her, if she knows how to flip it right.

[slybydesignq45t]

Qship, as always your right. If I had the deal she has I may have ran with it, but since such a deal has not presented it self, I am left to lurk around searching for the right one. I continue to learn a lot. I never know I would be drawn to the Infiniti brand so passionately but I am, and my heart is with the Q45, but I can cheat on her with a M45....

[qship96]

As much as I love the G50 series{ still my all time favorite Infiniti model ever produced}, if I was just starting out today with a new project car- I would go for something much, much newer to be able to enjoy it for the next 10 years without the ethanol or parts availability issues we will soon be having.

[Infinitiguy19]

OK everyone that mentioned to buy it and keep it as a parts car is somewhat wrong because it will take TIME and lots of it. I bought a 1991 Q45 and still have the majority of parts that I am not keeping as personal spares.

But also like its been said before 1994-1996 Q45 are really different from a 1990-1992 Q45, 1993 Q45's share the interior and exterior colors with the 1994-1996 Q45's.

And the parts that I know will work: MAF, FPCU, ECU and TCU.... all have to be checked to make sure there in OK condition or at least working, especially the first two.

And the window motor regulators will fit on your car, but the 1994-1996 Q45's have thicker windows which stress the regulator more. I know they changed part numbers for at least the 1990-1993 and 1994-1996 Q45's.

But since the car has been sitting your chances sound good that most of everything is OK.

[Rex]

Your best bet if the car is as good of condition as you state (which I'm struggle to understand how a timing chain can break at that mileage), it's worth $100 if you have somewhere to put it.

You'd be in great shape if you could find a well maintained 94 or 95 Q45 that had been rear-ended and totaled.

In short, if you have $100, space and some wrenching skills it's a yes.

[Q451990]

The '94 didn't have the bad guides, so I'm also confused as to how the timing chain went bad. I guess enough abuse can kill anything. If you want to mess with it, you'll get more than $100 for it if you just paid for it and had it towed to a junk yard! I would buy it, strip what you want, and send it on it's way...

As mentioned, there are very few parts that interchange with the later Q, but if the engine is already torn apart you have easy access to fuel injectors and rails, throttle body, etc - and those will sell.

It all depends on your ability, time available, and storage space. It would be in my driveway now if it was in SC

Heath

[aliciaford]

Well, I am now the proud owner of another Q. Picked it up last night, I will post a photo. Its so clean, what a nice car, you can tell it was well taken care of. I think I will take it to Infiniti of Fife, just to double check the diagnosis. My husband tried to turn it over and it sounds like it wants to start.... What a shame. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[Haitian_King]

Well, I am now the proud owner of another Q. Picked it up last night, I will post a photo. Its so clean, what a nice car, you can tell it was well taken care of. I think I will take it to Infiniti of Fife, just to double check the diagnosis. My husband tried to turn it over and it sounds like it wants to start.... What a shame. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Congrats!

[Jesda]

Storage units are cheap, but if you check Craigslist you can usually rent a garage space for $40-50/mo. You'll have a place to lock it up and take it apart without displacing your own vehicle or making a mess in your garage/driveway.

[96Qowner]

My husband tried to turn it over and it sounds like it wants to start....

This doesn't sound like a broken timing chain. If it was, it'd just spin freely and rapidly when you crank the starter. It would be very clear that something is terribly wrong.

Heheh, you might have gotten a better deal than you thought.

[Q451990]

My husband tried to turn it over and it sounds like it wants to start.... What a shame. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Please post pictures... especially of the engine area. I am surprised that the engine turns over if there is catastrophic failure from chain issues. Or that it's assembled enough to try to turn it over. Normally diagnosing all of this requires a good bit of disassembly.

Heath

[slybydesignq45t]

Well, I am now the proud owner of another Q. Picked it up last night, I will post a photo. Its so clean, what a nice car, you can tell it was well taken care of. I think I will take it to Infiniti of Fife, just to double check the diagnosis. My husband tried to turn it over and it sounds like it wants to start.... What a shame. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Smart move on y'all part. Good luck with the build.