1992 Q45 Needs New Engine

[Pushaq45infinit]

I was informed earlier this week that my timing chain has snapped and destroyed my engine. I absolutely want to keep my Q but am hoping not to pay the dealership 7 grand to install a used replacement engine. I would appreciate any leads to a reputable shop that might specialize in Infiniti's in the Chicagoland area. Any suggestions?

[AZhitman]

I have a source for good used VH45DE takeout engines, if you need it.

I'll let someone more local chime in on a shop.

[Pushaq45infinit]

Thanks for the quick reply AZ.... I may need that resource. I'm just trying to figure out my options right now. Does the source you have sell remanufactured or straight used engines?

[AZhitman]

Used takeouts from Japan.

You won't find a reman'd VH45... Too much work / expense.

[Pushaq45infinit]

Thanks...

[Q451990]

Hopefully someone will join us here soon. Did they pull the head on the side with no compression to see what damage was done? When my timing chain guides failed, there was one slightly bent valve and no cylinder damage. They were able to replace the valves on that cylinder, fish out the shattered guides from the oil pan, and replace the timing chains and guides. In 1999 this cost me about $2700 if I remember correctly - so expensive but way cheaper than an engine swap. If you engine is in otherwise good condition and fairly low mileage, this might be a good option.

That said, the damage in these cases varies greatly... sometimes the valves and pistons colide so violently that it knocks holes in various parts of the engine - so if that's the case you definitely need a new engine...

Hopefully someone will chime in about a good shop in your area.

Good luck!

Heath

[Pushaq45infinit]

Thanks q451990... I will call them back to see how much assessment was done on the engine. The engine has 147k and has run very well up to this point.

[BCC93QT]

About 8-10 hours east in Western MA i can do the swap, 150 yards from the NY thruway ends/Mass pike begins. if you get the engine and car out here. All i can do for ya. Can do it in a week. I have 2 VH's in the yard, one for sure has plastic guides i could hear the chain roastin before dropped. and the other is an a model but im thinking plastic backed guides as well, its a 91 with 60k sumthin miles. And anyhow you need to rehab the engine while its out, alot more cost effective, easier, and gives you a chance to get it sparkling clean and perfected. Your looking at 5 grand between parts, getting the engine to begin with. The bonus is you have your spare engine for parts. Try to find a Q with a bad transmission. snag it for like 500 and start from there

[AZhitman]

^ All correct.

New hoses (including all those under the plenum), gaskets, and preferably a matched set of injectors would be nice as well.

[elwesso]

Even if you didnt wanna do KS and plenum hoses, you definitely wanna do the valve cover gaskets, plugs, front and rear main seals and covers... Most anything on the engine takes about 1/3 the time when the engine is out of the car.

You might try Paul (3rd Q on the forum), he is from Chicago.

[Pushaq45infinit]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to follow up and let you all know that my swap is COMPLETE!!! Thanks so much for your insights it really helped my mechanic who was doing his first Q45 swap. We swapped in a 1994 JDM motor and transmission and its running and shifting perfectly. Thankfully we took our time and had the injectors sent out to deatschwerks, replaced hoses and belts, water pump, thermostat,knock sensor, motor mounts, plenum hoses and anything else we could think of. I took it out for a run tonight and fell in love all over again...

[BadQ45t]

what was the damage report $$$ on that???

[Pushaq45infinit]

JDM engine and trans $1500 delivered. Swap parts and labor $3800.

[q45 life]

I you dont mind where did you get your jdm? i need and cant find

[Pushaq45infinit]

from an excellent ebayer. naganousa lists a lot of JDM motors. I don't see a vh45de listed currently but call them at 877-536-4848. They were extremely helpful and responsive throughout my experience with them.

[dpq45]

Just read yalls posts and Pushaq45 i am going thru the same thing with my q45 but my engine blew a hole on the bottom of block....My engines ready to pull out just looking for an engine myself, what is a JDM engine??? Im new here to this forum and just learning...thks damian

[Pushaq45infinit]

JDM engine= engine that was originally sold in the Japanese Domestic Market. The Japanese don't drive their cars as long as we do so around 40K the cars are parted out. So the idea is that these engines will likely be in much better shape than one you could find in the US. You can check this out on wikipedia for more info. I was lucky to get a great JDM engine from the naganousa on ebay. They shipped it to me within 3 days and offered a 90 day warranty. They also supported me with any problems I had. Hope this helps.