2 issues about my Q--pls advise

[downtempo]

First, the risky issue: Timing Chain guides,

Service history from Infiniti states, 69K, timing chain guides noisy, do not fix per cust request.

Car now has 87K and runs and sounds smooth (outside of the rough idle thing). I know I am not completely safe until I open the engine cover, but my mechanic says just opening and closing the cover could run to $7-800. I suspect that the owner had it fixed independently, and my mechanic agrees. I know is risk, i'm a bit low on funds (also not very good with mechanical items). Thoughts please.

2nd issue: The really piss me off item,

Some *&$#! is keying my beautiful black Q!!!. Little scratches all over. Not a violent person, but I'm glad I don't own a gun. I have to keep my car outside for now and have been leaving it on the street (actually a street in a gated condo complex) because the driveway is sloped up. The transmission seemed to clunk going into reverse on the upslope. I would rather keep car in driveway. Is the slope any bother to the transmission? Not very steep (will post photo). Should I compund the car to get out scratches? Any preferences? Finally, how do catch the F-CKER who's doing this?Bear Trap. Do you guys have my back?

Finally, as stated by many others, this sight has been a godsend. I don't know how you guys do it. And maintain a job and a life. I gotta run, I'm at work now myself. Wish me luck.

dt:mad:

[PalmerWMD]

dt: Do those guides when you ahve teh money you may take Dennis up on his generous Xmas specialhttp://nicoclub.com/zerothread?id=42968

As for the keyer:Notify the police put up sign that you <did> notfy them and consider staying up one night with a camera handy.

Fred...

[911/Q45]

The clunk in the driveway is probably just the ABS self testing. Park there with a clear conscience.

[downtempo]

I thought it might be the ABS, but it seems a bit difficult to get into reverse, some resistance. the transmission clunks and car jerks a bit when on the slope. when flat, only a little noise and jerk(Can't you tell I'm techno-savvy)

[DAEDALUS]

If you have a laptop get a cheap USB webcam and the software that is motion-sensing and takes snapshots when someone moves in front of the lens. Intel made a version, I'm sure there are others out there. I've got it on at home today to make sure the UPS guy actually leaves my package. Just make sure it's hidden or someone could steal the laptop.

[QuickSilver]

Way cool Daedalus.

What's up with the UPS deliveries?

[Jesda]

Chain guide noise? Prolly something else. I have a lifter tick during warmup, and lots of icky clatter noises on startup if left sitting for a couple days, apparently due to oil draining down, and its considered normal.

-Jesda

[Q451990]

I've noticed that it's much harder to put the car in R when it's on a steep hill too. Both Qs do it. I'd say it's normal behavior, but is it doing damage? Couldn't say. Maybe applying the e-brake hard before putting it into park so it doesn't roll back and rest on the parking pawl (thing in the transmission that keeps it from rolling in P) would help???

Heath

[PalmerWMD]

Maybe applying the e-brake hard before putting it into park so it doesn't roll back and rest on the parking pawl (thing in the transmission that keeps it from rolling in P) would help?

I ALWAYS do that.

NEVER put uneccessary pressure on the transmission, such as movement in P, which will occur when on a hill.

When on a hill (even a very slight one, like some mall parking lots) I dont release my foot from the main brake at all, until I have engaged the parking brake fully..Only then will I go in P, and the transmission will experience zero forces as the car is held 100% during the parking process eiher by the main brake or the parking brake and one wont release until the other is fully engaged.

When starting the car I fully depress the main brake before I release the parking brake.Again no forces will act on teh transmission in park.

Thats all on easy habit to get into and I do it on all but perfectly flat surfaces.

Fred...

[DAEDALUS]

Way cool Daedalus.

What's up with the UPS deliveries?

I'm just being on the catious side...$200+ shipment, plus I'm new in the hood so I don't know the delivery guy yet. Usually I'm home or I pick it up, but I just don't have the time this week. I wasn't trying to imply I've had any problems in the past, just that I know people who have had things disappear in their neighborhoods.

The camera worked great. Got 4 pics of the guy on my front porch with the box LOL. Not very good resolution, but good enough (640x480). The only problem is I had the camera facing the street, so every car driving by set it off. I had to wade through a couple hundred pics. Caught the UPS guy, the mail guy, and some kid putting real estate flyers on door knobs.

[HeavyDuty]

Ditto on the E-Brake before putting it in park...always.