97 q45 Knock Sensors

[dagovna]

Hi all,I have a 97 q45 97k. All repairs in the past were done by dealer.My service engine soon light came on. Dealer said there areknock sensor codes and i'd have to replace the 2 knock sensors.I dont mind, but after all these years of faithful service my Q is starting to cost an arm, leg and left testical. The dealer gets $85an hr, and wants to charge me 5 hrs labor + parts+tx. Is there anything that i can do as far as DIY. I only use Premium FuelAmoco. The car rides like a dream. no hesitation,no bad excelleration, nothing. Can I do this Myself? sensors are $174 ea.I dont have a service manual, maybe someone can email me the pages I need. The most difficult thing i've ever done mechanicallywas the timingbelt/waterpump on my 94 Legend L. Any helpwould be appreciated. If you can let me know where i can find a service manual, that would also be great!. I'm tired of Dlrs bending me over. I want to do the Pitching, Let them do the Catching. dagovna

[maxnix]

Don't know where you are or what conditions you operate your vehicle under since your profile is not complete.

If you are confident your dealer diagnosed correctly, call Joe or Brian at http://www.infinitipartsusa.com for manual (I think it may be on CD for your year) and part's price. While not easy, if you can do a timing belt and water pump replacement on a 94 Acura, you can pull the plenum and replace it on your Q, with perhaps more patience. There will probably be other things to do when you pull the plenum (PCV valve, IAC controller valve, MAF and plenum cleaning, injector inspection, etc.) to proactively maintain your car to prevent future surprises.

Remember, the dealer is only doing the bare minimum to get you through warranty. Now the fun starts, and it will be an expensive ticket if you don't get ahead on the maintenance schedule.

[BadQ45t]

What else is going on that is costing you the arm and leg?? You only mentioned this repair, have there been others? I'm about to flip 70k on my 97' and nothing mechanical has gone wrong with the car since I bought it almost 3 years ago with 40k.

[DAEDALUS]

Well, extrapolating from what they charge to change the O2 sensors, they must charge an arm to look at the car, a leg to raise the hood, and the left testicle solely for good measure. 5 hours is obscene, unless there's a huge difference in labor between the '97 and 1st gen, which I'm familiar with. Scottsdale will give you great price on the sensors, or you can get non-factory sensors even cheaper from sparkplugs.com. It is DIY as far as I know. You'll need a O2 wrench (get a crow's foot type) and a driver extension on your ratchet.

[Sopdadope]

dagovna,

Sounds like you're gettin' robbed legally by your dealer. $85/hr for labor is the highest I've heard of, even the Bimmer dealer here only charges $70 an hour for labor. If that's not bad enough, they're gouging you the O2 sensors too. I can get you a set for around $35 a piece. That's four O2 sensors for the price of one of the dealer's. Lemme know so I can get them sent your way.

[maxnix]

Quote »$85/hr for labor is the highest I've heard of[/quote] Here in Seattle, it is either $95 or $98 per hour. Higher in Bay area, I think.

[Sopdadope]

Boy am I glad I moved outta the Bay Area then. Kelly Infiniti's rate is like $70/hr. My old independent mechanic's rate was $50 and the guy's a Nissan/Mechanic guru, diagnosed in seconds, some things the techs at Kelly couldn't.

[greg_atlanta]

Just be glad that the knock sensors are the only known problem of a '97 Q. They're very, very, very reliable compared to just about every other car on the road.

To feel better, scroll back a few weeks and plunge into all the '90-'93 Q45 problems.

And on your next car be sure and purchase an extended warranty!!

[PalmerWMD]

I think my local dealer is at 90.

I have heard of a Chicago Infinti dealer that is asking $100.With the neighboring MB, BMW dealers asking 110 to 120.

Fred...

[Q45tech]

Even Atlanta dealers are at $79-$87 depending on services.And this is kept low because of 5 dealers now!

Many independents are up to $75 in Atlanta, while we try to keep the wolf away at $68.

Every rule of thumb says you have to triple the base pay of techs to arrive at your labor rate.

[DAEDALUS]

For $68 in L.A. I can have my choice of any of the fine "techs" cutting their teeth at the local Pep Boys.

[BadQ45t]

Try $110 an hour in the at Peninsula Infiniti, Stanford Nissan is $95, and the local guy at Datsunville charges $85.

Be glad you don't live in the bay area when you need car repairs.

[911/Q45]

Boy, at those prices I can buy a lot of tools and parts and guess at how to fix things! Wait, I don't have to guess-I've got you guys!

[dagovna]

dagovna,thanks, I need 2 O2 sensors for a 97 Q45. I live in new Jersey.Email me [email protected]. We can discuss the details ofpayment and shipping.. again thanks Sounds like you're gettin' robbed legally by your dealer. $85/hr for labor is the highest I've heard of, even the Bimmer dealer here only charges $70 an hour for labor. If that's not bad enough, they're gouging you the O2 sensors too. I can get you a set for around $35 a piece. That's four O2 sensors for the price of one of the dealer's. Lemme know so I can get them sent your way.

[eQlipse]

My engine light came on last week also. Local Nissan dealer charges $80/hr. Bank 1 knock sensor needs to be replaced. Gonna have them replace both. Saved $120 on two sensors from Scottsdale vs their price of $183 each. Think I'm going to have the plenum & throttle body cleaned while its off.

Error codes also came back as throttle position sensor reading the throttle stuck open & ABS/TCS SENSOR. Paid $160 to adjust the TPS which also cleared the ABS/TCS error codes. The dealer explained that the ABS/TCS was most likely a result of the TPS sensor error. I'm hoping that was the problem b/c replacing the ABS/TCS was around $1500. Throttle response seems to be much better now also!

[Q45tech]

Always replace the harness when you change the KS. On a 90-96 the KS replacement takes 7-8 hours [active and TCD cars take longer to get extra junk out of the way] be glad only 5 on 97.