1992 Q45 Freeze Plug possible issue.

[sneatherlin]

I have just bought my first Nissan Infiniti. A 1992 Q45 V8. I am unemployed/laid off and had to work off the cost of the car (landlord helped) working for him. That being said is to point out money isn't exactly flowing atm. I love the look of this car though and really want to try and get it running again. I plan on buying books on the car and continue researching it on the web so any sites and or book recommendations would be appreciated. Back to my original question, any advice/help on freeze plugs or leaking antifreeze from around the transmission on this car is desperately needed. I have found a salvage yard with a 90, 91, and 93 Q45 could I take parts off of these instead of buying new? I am also a mechanical newbie to let you know at what level you will be talking too. There are other issues but will put in separate posts in case they need to fall under different categories.

[Rev_D21]

What do you think is wrong with the freeze plugs? Are they leaking? You might be able to re-seal them if you can get them out. You will need to replace the coolant afterward though. Running a bead of RTV around the leaking plug should help quite a bit and you are only out a tube of RTV in the end.

[sneatherlin]

Not positive it is the freeze plugs for sure. Looking under the car it looks like it is leaking from around the transmission area where supposedly ( I haven't been able to verify ) where one of the plugs is located. Was told that to get to it the transmission would need to be removed. Was quoted eight hours to pull transmission at around $800 bucks. The shop I called also said might not be the plugs but could be a hose and needs to be tested. Due the leaking and getting hot, and the battery not getting charged I haven't had a chance to get to a place to test. I am leary of pulling the transmission myself with my limited knowledge and the possible complexity of the car. That and not being able to get under it very well either lol. The shop I called said they would do the plugs for free due to the cost of pulling the transmission lol. How can I possibly test myself on exactly where the leak is or will it need to be put on a lift?

[OwnerCS]

How many miles does it have? How long has it been since it was running?

[sneatherlin]

Ok, this will show me as a newbie but with my landlord helping me and me being basically illiterate when it comes to mechanics. I don't know the mileage on the car. I can picture everyone shaking their heads at such a newbie mistake. The previous owner drove it to my landlords office so I will say running, even if not well, about three weeks. He had put a brand new battery on it which by the next day was dead. During that drive is also when he noticed the car getting hot which prompted looking for the leak. Till I worked off the note it had to sit at my landlords now I am trying to figure out best way to get it home without any damage for me to start work on. (No extra money for tow truck atm). So hasn't moved in about three weeks.

[BCC93QT]

Being unemployed and not mechanically inclined your... best bet is to sell the car. Any G50 owner at this point should be some what mechanically inclined and should have a steady job. Its going to cost you much more to maintain an 18 year old luxury v8 unless you stockpile junked G50's and pick and pull every so often.

[Q451990]

Being unemployed and not mechanically inclined your... best bet is to sell the car.

Sadly, this is the best advice you're going to get here.

That said, it's far more likely that one of the hoses under the plenum (upper intake manifold that looks like a spider) is leaking. Shine a flashlight into the valley,and I bet you'll find a pool of coolant there. When it fills up it spills out near the transmission. Freeze plug problems are not unheard of, but pretty rare.

Good luck!

Heath

[YELLOW S13]

Being unemployed and not mechanically inclined your... best bet is to sell the car. Any G50 owner at this point should be some what mechanically inclined and should have a steady job. Its going to cost you much more to maintain an 18 year old luxury v8 unless you stockpile junked G50's and pick and pull every so often.

I agree these cars are somewhat demanding more so then most IMO. Other thing 92's have timing chain issues which is not something that can be waited on or overlooked... if already not too late. Many parts NEED replacing the injectors, all the hoses that are under the plenum, etc. (which sounds like you need to go in there anyway) All this takes a decent amount of mechanical knowledge. I'm sorry I say dont give up and learn but will take time

[OwnerCS]

It is always good to see a new member being enthusiastic about our cars.

Several members allocate $3,000 each year for annual maintenance expense for a qualified shop to do the work. If you are playing catch up on timing chain guides, injectors, hoses (including under plenum), and related items, it will not take long to rack up a $2,000+ investment in parts -- and that is with YOU doing all of the labor. I think a nice Q45 can be a great car for an enthusiast to enjoy.

Last night, while on the way home from work, I saw my neighbor driving his new his new gas powered EZGO golf cart down the street. He has it all tricked out with some chrome wheels and many accessories. I walked over to look it over as he had it parked in the driveway. He said he got a nice deal on it at $4,300. I’m sure he did..

Last summer a another guy down the street bought a new bass boat that my son said cost him $35,000.

Different people have different priorities when it comes to their recreational vehicles. At the end of the day, I would much rather spend the money on my Q45 than a boat – but that’s just me..
.

[sneatherlin]

Thank you for your responses. Sorry for not getting back sooner work and family have kept me from logging on the past few days. After my newbie error of not even knowing the mileage on it I went and looked ( It was stored at my landlords place until I paid off ) the mileage on it is 163k. After charging the battery for a few hours when I got off work I drove it to my house and got my first real taste of how it runs. It runs and goes but feels like it has no real power at slower speeds. Most of the roads to my house have a speed limit of 30 so didn't really get to test it. Not sure if right now that would be a good idea anyways. I topped off the radiator prior to starting and going and the leak doesn't seem too bad, it didn't get hot or lose all of its fluid by the time I got home (about a 10 minute drive). One of my neighbors who claims to be a mechanic looked at it. His first comment was did a younger person own it before me, which the answer was yes. He said I figured because there are all kinds of things on the exhaust to make it loud. He then told me that he thinks a large part of my problem are the catalytic converters are stopped up because even when I punched it he felt hardly any exhaust. True/False I don't know lol. I still love the car and even with the rough ride home I felt the potential in it and went and just sat in it for over an hour after dinner that night and just bonded, even when I opened the glove box and the door fell off lol. That neighbors solution to my exhaust problem was to saw the pipes at a certain point and do some creative problem solving using a big chisel type thing and a hammer until I can afford to fix it correctly. I noted his solution but wanted to discuss it with people that know these cars better (You guys). As far as the leak I tried looking under the plenum to see if a hose was the problem but I personally didn't see any leak. Again the neighbor said he thinks the leak is a hose at top and swears he saw it. So hoping he is right. On a side note he offered me 500 for the car as is which tells me he sees great potential in it too. I know I go on and on but just something about this car has embedded itself in me. I wish I had the money, tools, time to get into it and restore it to its glory so will either be a long term love affair till my finances let me give it the love it needs or I give in, sell and find something that just runs. I looked at the slideshow OwnerCS had posted and my first thought was can I do this and not screw things up. Thank you everyone for your advice and support.

[maxnix]

A hammer and chisel is never the correct approach!

I doubt it is the freeze plugs and attempts to deal with them are seldom successful in effecting a permanent repair. You may well want to pass on this one and find one in better condition when you are better able to afford a G50 Q45.