1999 Q45t Turbine Sensor

[Spunke]

I have a 1999 Q 45t and it has been a great car. I have it in the shop and they claim that I need a new rear sub-frame and a turbine sensor? They also state that the Q is a high maintainence item and I should be for warned about the expense of keeping it on the raod. Any thoughts.. are they that prone to problems??

[Q45tech]

Depends on your standards and how close to brand new you wish to keep the performance and ride.

The 97-01 Q are less expensive than equivalent V8 BMW. Lexus, MB, Audi to keep to standard.

Nothing that $2,500 per year [prorated since brand new] won't cure on a 11 year old car.

Rear subframes all seem to go eventually on every Q as do turbine sensors in AT.

Shocks only last 4 years or 60k

[Spunke]

Thanks for the info, what should a "Turbine Sensor" repair cost?? The dealer is telling me $890 (P&L) but Danco is saying $350?????? I have never trusted my car to anyone but the dealer but this is a bit of an issue

Thanks

[maxnix]

Local labor charges vary.

Get your parts from Joe and his crew at

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

Requires transmission drop, so replace rear main seal if not exhaust hangers, rear 3rd motor (transmission) mount, and I think Q45tech mentioned a rear seal on the transmission.

The lesson is, use the search function to search message bodies in all 3 Q45 Forums (include Infiniti General) and search current and archived posts. Beware of inconsistenet misspellings from careless posters, the bane of effective search.

Research can save you many dollars as you will know the procedure, have the relevant parts of the FSB or TSB printed for your non-Infiniti tehcnician if you use one, and you can tell if the job is being done correctly while you watch.

Here is a big clue: Read all posts by Q45tech.

[Q45tech]

You must understand EXACTLY what and how each is proposing to do to accomplish the turbine sensor replacement.

The technique of allowing the transmission to sag so much that the sensor can be wiggled out stresses the engine mounts and bend and wear supports but can be done by an expert faster than pulling the exhaust, driveshaft, and transmission out but what if something goes wrong will the non expert eat the problems or leave you with a serious problem from their short cut action?

Many times spending more is the correct thing to do in the long run unless you are just fixing and selling a car.

What happens at lots of used car lots every short cut and to hell with the longerm results [30 days after the sale].

T3 charges 5 hours plus sensor + rear main + transmission mount...........the parts are $300 alone so your cheapo guy is doing something short cutty, but the dealer is probably skipping something rear main and/or mount to be under $1000.

[duck3986]

I've had a '98Q for 6 years and it now has 125k miles (62k when I bought it).

It's been an absolutely excellent and reliable car. It's cost me very little to maintain, although I do brakes and other routine maintenance myself. Also, it's been garaged, which really helps a car over time.

And by getting parts from Infiniti of Scottsdale (found through this group), I've found that parts are no more expensive than a Honda or a Chevy.

In six years I've done knock sensors, MAF, brakes, plugs and plenum/throttle body cleaning.

The car runs better than when I bought it.

Don

[Spunke]

The difference in price has been from Infiniti dealership to another (two) infiniti dealership's! The issue is if the trans needs to be droped or not??? Two have said NO and one has said Yes... very confusing to a consumer. You can't even contact Infiniti the company and speak to a tech to find out which way to go?????

[Q45tech]

There are always multiple ways to skin a cat and change turbine sensors.............don't forget the guys who cut a hole thru floor pan [under carpet] and welded it back after changing the turbine sensor.

The factory way is to remove the exhaust, remove the drive shaft, and remove the transmission.

[Spunke]

Thanks for the help. I may just drive it a bit longer, it is only leaking a very small amout and has not thrown a code, they noticed it when they put it on the rack for another problem.

[qship96]

Is the trans operating normally? If so,and it is just a small weeping coming from the turbine sensor gasket,keep an eye on fluid level and save the $ -I dont think a slow weeping is going to harm anything-mine has been slowly weeping for years with no further issues-the connectors are wet,but not enough seepage to leave anything on garage floor or to show any change on dip stick