A moral obligation?

[OPG]

Hi All, I think you guys are great, which is why I value your opinions over my family, friends', attorney, and girlfriends'. I recently took a 1991 Q45 off my mother's hands that she's owned since new, effectively saving it from the cash for clunkers monster. She's had a newer car for years, so the Q has been languishing a bit. Driving it over a period of a few weeks, I've noticed A LOT of problems partially listed below :- Quart a week smoking habit- Driveline rumble at certain RPMs at certain times of the day at certain temperatures at certain celestial alignments- Burning oil smell entering through AC vents and noticeable standing withing five feet of the engine bay- Fairly strong gasoline smell entering through AC vents when filled up- Suspension makes taxicab-like squeaks, groans, and rattles over bumpy or rough roads- Power steering is intermittent.. and sometimes decides to turn back on in the middle of a tight curve (fun!)- ABS idiot-light is on- Most importantly, doesn't feel nearly as powerful as when I was younger

I love this car. I went to prom in this car. When I was 17 I wailed on two chodes driving a Bimmer 750il and a Merc S500 on I-95 in this car. My mom nearly left my pop for hitting 140 racing a SHO on a family trip in this car. The Q's a beast and was the pride of my people! I'm thinking about having it restored. Am I stupid? I know I can find a low mileage first-gen for cheap, but the sentimentality behind this particular car and the prospect of bringing a 228,xxx mile automotive unknown legend back to life is tough to pass up. I don't even know where to begin. Can anyone also use a ballpark figure on how much an undertaking like this might cost me.. worst case scenarios are welcome. Please advise!

[Q451990]

Welcome to NICO!

You have a lot of work needed on that car. I think I would reseal the rocker covers (valve cover gaskets) first to see if your oil issue is consumption (burning it) or if it's mostly due to a leak. If it's consumption, I think I would think about giving up... Same if the transmission is slipping.

From your description, it sounds like you're getting into a $5K to $8K restoration, assuming the transmission is OK, and you would "only" need to reseal the engine, replace the injectors and under plenum hoses, and replace the timing chain guides.

What service history do know know about the car? Posting that will help us a lot...

Heath

[OPG]

Hi Heath, thanks for your response! Regarding the transmission, my family had it rebuilt two or three years ago and installed a transmission cooler as well. It seems to be in great working order, no rough shifts, slipping etc. I asked my pop about the timing chain guides a few days ago after researching this website, and he doesn't remember if our mechanic converted to metal guides! He assumes it must have been done as the car has so many miles and we've yet to encounter a catastrophic problem.. flawed logic, perhaps. All hoses were replaced three years ago, at which time our mechanic said the timing chain didn't need work. That's as far as I can recall, I'll consult with the folks and try to dig up some more of the Q's service history, but that's pretty much it for the last few years. Giving up is not an option! I've seen too many of these magnificent cars given up on, it's absolutely heartbreaking! Thanks for all your help!

[maxnix]

Early plastic guide failuress are a question of when, not if.

[elwesso]

really most of the stuff you mentioned is nothing weird, and nothing that was mentioned is terribly difficult to handle...

IMO its more important to find one thats cosmetically clean...

Are you willing to do the work yourself or are you going to have to take it to a shop?

[trajanH]

really most of the stuff you mentioned is nothing weird, and nothing that was mentioned is terribly difficult to handle...

IMO its more important to find one thats cosmetically clean...

Are you willing to do the work yourself or are you going to have to take it to a shop?

I agree, finding a 91 Q45 that is cosmetically clean is the hard part. Most of the old Q45's that I have seen on the road have junk interiors. If you have a cosmetically clean Q45 I think that it is worth it to rebuild cause the cars are a joy to drive.I happen to have a cosmetically clean 91 Q45 just sitting in my moms garage. I could never get anything close to what I put into it and these cars are best going to someone who knows how to deal with their problems. So my car just sits there until I can find a good way to part it out. If you can find such a car in your area why not get parts off of it and fix your car?Hopefully , it is not too expensive for you cause here in Southern Cal you should be able to do what you want for about $2000 if you do it yourself.

[Infinitiguy19]

Why not sell the FGY33 that you have to fix the G50?..............................Just kidding.

Whats wrong with the G50 you have, but make a new topic please.

To Original Poster: You are awesome for doing what your doing and if there are any parts you need let me know.

[trajanH]

Why not sell the FGY33 that you have to fix the G50?..............................Just kidding.

Whats wrong with the G50 you have, but make a new topic please.

To Original Poster: You are awesome for doing what your doing and if there are any parts you need let me know.

I still love my 91 Q45 and I like the idea of keeping old cars around that still look and drive good. My uncle has an ole 57 T Bird still in his garage since he stopped driving it. My other uncle had a AMC Rambler in his garage that I never saw anyone drive. Must be in the genes.

[OPG]

Thanks for the support guys!! I know I'm not mechancally inclined enough to attempt much work on my Q, but I know a highly skilled, staunch vintage and modern Mercedes Benz mechanic who admires the superb engineering of the G50 who's willing to work on it, so I'd leave it in his capable hands. Not many Infiniti specialsts here in Miami! Thanks again for all the reassurance, I'll keep you posted on my progress!

[Peterofdevon]

[QUOTE=elwesso]IMO its more important to find one thats cosmetically clean...[QUOTE]

I have to agree and also add that Wes is coming around. Qs are far more cool when they look like real cars and not G-beaters. I was on the NJ TPike last week and low and behold there is a 94-96 BlackT behind me. I was admiring it and feeling good until it passed me...

Oh my, faded and scratchy looking, trim missing and then horrors!!! I saw it was rocking back and forth (due to crapped out shocks).

I was in the 94 and I hung my head in shame as it passed.

These cars look soooo good when they look good.

Peter

[AZhitman]

OPG - I don't have much to add that hasn't already been said (or isn't forthcoming), but what a great first post - I LOL'ed.

[miata007]

I think you should have gone with cash for clunker.

007

[Q451990]

I think you should have gone with cash for clunker.

007

You would say that... glad that Obamanation is gone!