91 Timing Chain

[Aaron2355]

My 91 Q45 stalled while traveling 60mph. When I tried to restart, the motor wouldn't turn over. After 15 minutes the motor turns over extremely easily and I hear unusual noises while cranking like something is loose. If the car jumped time or the chain fell off, will it damage the valves. I've had the car for 3-4 years with NO mechanical trouble at all. My wife has new Audi and we saved this for my son who just got lisence of Friday. I don't want to spend any money of this car if it is going to cost me $2000 to get it fixed. I'd rather spend the cash on a 4 cyl car for my son. Thanks

[Raxephon]

Early Q45 chain guides were crap, there are updated metal-backed guides available.

If you don't have the updated guides, that may be where your problems lay.

zerothread?id=27848 zerothread?id=164335

[Aaron2355]

How do I tell if the motor is shot without spending too much on it? The car is in great shape but I don't want to spend much on a car with 180,000 on it. Thanks

[Raxephon]

How do I tell if the motor is shot without spending too much on it? The car is in great shape but I don't want to spend much on a car with 180,000 on it. Thanks

First off, do not try to crank it anymore!

If the timing is off, trying to crank it will simply result in an increased possibility of damage to the motor.

Your best option would be to find a NICO Q45 owner near you and ask them to help you out. (That is if you are not the DIY type)

If you are the DIY type, now would be a good time to do some detailed reading in the following forums.zeroforum?id=24http://forums.nicoclub.c ... rum?id=177

Worst case scenario you could sell it to another NICO member. zeroforum?id=172

Also you might want to check out http://www.q45.org

You mentioned giving this vehicle to your son.

Why not have him earn it

He can get oodles of help here on NICO and he'll learn valuable skills regardless of what vehicle he owns.

I'll even start you in the right direction

Here is a Factory Service Manual for a 1994 Infiniti Q45.Its in .pdf format.It varies little from my '91 Q45 FSM, (Factory Service Manual), hardcopy. http://phatg20.net/modules.php...d=203

[Raxephon]

How do I tell if the motor is shot without spending too much on it?

And to answer this question directly, you can't.

At least not until you find the cause of the problems that you're having.

[maxnix]

I don't want to spend any money of this car if it is going to cost me $2000 to get it fixed. I'd rather spend the cash on a 4 cyl car for my son.

If a well running Q45 is not worth $2K to you, sell it or part it out.

You need to find a good low mileage Yugo to fit your budget.

[Aaron2355]

A 91 Q45 isn't worth $2000 in like new condition let alone with 180,000+ miles on it! If it is going to cost that much to fix this car, I meant that I would like to get a more reliable and reasonable car for a 16 yr old, not a V8 that get under 20mpg.

[Q45tech]

It cost $4,000 to $5,000 to replace the engine with a low mileage Japanese Junk Yard take out which has been rehabilitated [takes a day or two on the engine stand] with new guides and hoses, knock sensors and resealed to last 60-80,000 miles without worry.

Beware of cheapo domestic high mileage junk yard engine swaps, Where nothing is replaced for $3000-$3,500 JUST accidents waiting to happen [old guides] old hoses, old KS,..................

[Q45tech]

Don't confuse resale value with WORTH.........what it's worth to you and me vary depending on what a SUITABLE REPLACEMENT will cost.

[maxnix]

1.) A 91 Q45 isn't worth $2000 in like new condition let alone with 180,000+ miles on it!

2.) If it is going to cost that much to fix this car, I meant that I would like to get a more reliable and reasonable car for a 16 yr old, not a V8 that get under 20mpg.

1.) Depends on what your requirements are. Name another car with a total investment of under $10K that will perform like a $50K - $80K available new luxury import sedan. At 180K miles, your car is not even halfway through its life cycle, provided it was well maintained.

2.) If overall mpg is your main criterion, look at bicycles. Infinitely cheaper to run, maintain, insure.

[Aaron2355]

Maxnix, I think you misundertand what I was saying. I loved this car while we were driving it. They are great deals for what you get. From reading this forum, it sounds like a 91 Q45 is a ticking timebomb for my wallet. I would hate to spend $2000 getting the engine rebuilt just to have the transmission got out in a month. I've had the car for about 4 years with no trouble which from reading on this forum is a near miracle. And you have to admit that a 275 hp car that is exensive to maintain and to operate is kind of overboard for a 16 yr old.

As far as the Q45 being the best deal in a used luxery car, last year I bought a 2000 Audi A8 Quattro for $10,500 with 80,000 on it and it looked brand new. Now I loved my Q but it is not in the same class as an A8.

[Q45tech]

Comparing APPLES to APPLES here is a beautiful Audi A8 [1993,1990] not sure it held up as well as most 1993 Q45:http://www.4usedaudiparts.com/....htmlh ... m/....html

[maxnix]

Now I loved my Q but it is not in the same class as an A8.

Thank God! You need to frequent the A8 forums and discover why Audi can't make a flat gasket that works on their oil pumps and differential systems. The part is only $12 bucks or so, but the replacement labor is several hours on each.

Same for MB electronics. And BMW. Those owners put up with problems that would cause most on this forum to take their car out to a field and shoot it if it happened on a Q45. Every device is a compromise, but I find the Japanese have the best quality control. And they have spoiled me in that I expect my car to work every time I use the key.

The A8 is an intriguing engineering exercise with a well executed interior, but I never had one out run me. There is a A8 expert in Grants Pass if you are in that part of the left coast.

[DrewQ45]

As far as the Q45 being the best deal in a used luxery car, last year I bought a 2000 Audi A8 Quattro for $10,500 with 80,000 on it and it looked brand new. Now I loved my Q but it is not in the same class as an A8.

Folks, I think he was referring moreso to the price here...and that is one helluva deal.

Don't let the horrors stories in the forum lead you into thinking the Q is not dependable. I'm still driving my 90' which is about to reach 200K. Had to replace the transmission once (recently) and that's it as far as major components. Think about the Audi at that point...

The good thing about this forum is that we tend to obsess over the maintenance of our vehicles and put loads of effort and discussion into prevention rather than cure but I can see how it would scare some onlookers.

...Drew....

[Q45denver]

I don't think I'd let a 16 year old drive a 300hp car of any make ...fuel economy aside. Unfortunately I think the 90-96 Q45 is in the same class as the A8 and is probably in the same price range now used.