91-93 Injector Problems-Arizona gasoline

[AzActiveQ]

I drove a 92 Q45a in Phoenix for about 7 years, but it has now been sitting for a while. It runs, but it has not had the timing guides replaced & it has about 105,000 miles. I am considering "fixing it up", and I am also considering looking for another 92 or 93 Q45a and using what I have as a parts car. Before I spend more money, I would like to know about other's experiences with injectors. Before I started driving something else on a daily basis, I had a series of injector problems. I love the Q45a, but I have read in consumer reviews that the gas in Arizona and Southern Calif causes lots of problems for the 91-93 Q45. Is a Q45 here in Az just a lost cause/very expensive proposition?

[Q45tech]

Why 100% functional, all systems working like brand new 10-15-18 year old imported LUXURY cars are for rich people. Or experienced do it yourselfers.

Those that are willing to spend the money or 10* hours per month of their own time and still significant money.

* Not being an expert and not having every tool available or lifts, tire mounting and balancers, fluid exchangers, etc, etc.Means you often have to do things the hard way taking 3-4-5 times as long.

$3,000 per year for repairs and maintenance is cheap if you already own the car.

[AzActiveQ]

Are you just saying that I am an example of your observation that older luxury cars are for rich people or do you intend something further?

To do the economics of an older luxury car vs. a new one, you need to include the cost of money. Say you buy a newer luxury car for $50K and you keep it for 5 years, when it is worth $20K. Compare that to $4K on an old Q45 which you keep for 5 yrs. 6% interest on the $46K difference is $2,760/yr. Add depreciation of $6K/yr. So $3K annual repairs IS cheap, a little more than the interest cost on the newer model. If you add in the additional sales taxes, property taxes (in AZ) insurance costs, it probably costs another $2K+ to own the newer car.

[Q45tech]

It's not like all 8 injectors would fail every year but say it cost $2,000 every 3-4 years for injectors, that is insignificant compared to the prorated cost of a Nissan remanned transmission or a total rehabilitation of the active system to as new specs..............not just a recharge but brand new acutators.

I'm happy that gasoline has increased, it makes the M&R costs look better.

It's not just the monetary costs but the amount of free time an old car takes..............you need to spend a work day off every month to take care of the M&R.

Real Shops with experts don't work on weekends.

[Q45denver]

So far no mechanical failures or repairs needed (other than new battery) on 1995 Q purchased 3 years and 20K miles ago.

May be due for fuel pump, rotors, and valve cover gaskets soon.

[Jesda]

Its a nuisance but far from a lost cause.

[ScottJackson]

If the under plenum hoses and knock sensors haven't been done recently (prob not if it's sat for that long) then they'll need replaced. You'll kill two birds with one stone by doing those along with the injectors. Do all 8 injectors and NEVER ever ever use gas that has ethanol in it. That should fix you up in that area. Do the timing chain guides and it should work well for a long time if the rest of the car does too. However, if the active suspension is in average condition (which is not good at this age) and you don't have the $$$ to do the guides, injectors, knock sensors, hoses, and whatever else needs replaced, I would like to buy another parts car.

[AzActiveQ]

I do not know how I can buy gas without ethanol in it in Arizona. Is there such a thing?

A couple of years ago (I'd have to pull out the receipts to see exactly when) I did all of those hoses, and I had texasoil recharge 4 of the nitrogen accumulators. I have one leaky strut - right rear.

Thanks for your comments, and I may decide to sell. Do you visit Arizona?

[Q45tech]

You will need to refine or blend your own gasoline without ethanol or develop a method to remove the ethanol and compensate for loss in octane from standard gasoline.

Or just live with what is available and accept that these injectors need changing more frequently under certain conditions.

Many problems seem to correlate with running the tank low where ABNORMAL concentrations and water might be encountered. So for sure just refill when half full is a good mantra.

Relocate to a non ethanol area...................and keep relocating as the areas shrink.

Fill up at marinas or airports where ethanol is forbidden at a significantly higher cost.

Buy specialty racing fuels at drag strips and tracks without ethanol?

[maxnix]

Does Mexico use ethanol?

[silkysmoothyjud]

you just made me think of how good we may have it....

[Magnum PI]

Is it due to ethanol that I have begun to get driveability problems? My 94Q45t was smooth as silk until about a year ago, some 10 months after ethanol was required here in Hawaii. I replaced 2 injectors after much down time for testing, and it ran fine. Now, it sometimes reverts to rough idle and less than smooth acceleration. Then it goes away and becomes smooth again.

I heard that ethanol wreaks havoc with older cars, but I did not consider the 94 Q to be that old, technologically speaking. I am going to replace the fuel filter next. But I heard that ethanol is the culprit? true, false or just the scapegoat?

[silkysmoothyjud]

failing and non OEM injectors will make acceleration bog down and make your car have a rough idle. Your Q should be loose and not hesitate to red line in any gear if your injectors are good. Another sign is a hard first to second gear shift. Bad injectors will jack it all up....

[silkysmoothyjud]

by the way, ethanol is the culprit, iso-heet helps...

[Magnum PI]

I've never heard of iso heet

what is it and where can you buy it?

[Jesda]

I've never heard of iso heet

what is it and where can you buy it?

Wal Mart, Autozone, Etc. It comes in a little red plastic bottle.

[szh]

Wal Mart, Autozone, Etc. It comes in a little red plastic bottle.

Yes.

Just remember to get ISOHEET and not the plain HEET - that is the wrong type of alcohol.

Z

[szh]

I've never heard of iso heet

what is it and where can you buy it?

It is isopropyl alcohold, designed to absorb water in gasoline and "burn" it off.

As Jesda mentioned, you can get it at a variety of places, including most auto stores too.

Z

[Q45tech]

Don't confuse two entirely different separate problems:Ethanol in gasoline [swelling of elastomers] and the possibility of water in the ethanol [rust and corrosion].

[Magnum PI]

Thanks for all the help. I may try it anyway. It cannot hurt.