Bringing my 1994 Q45 up to NICO Standards - Advise Please

[AlabamaDan]

Ok, so I've had my Q for about eight months. It seems to be running fine, but a bit sluggish. I'm want to give it the once over and bring it up to NICO standards. What should I do?

I have a can of BG44k for the tank. How often should I use this?

I bought a supply of those Mobile 1 filters for Joe and plan to start using synthetic oil. I know it's probably a whole other tread's material, but which oil. I mainly drive 10 miles to work in stop and go traffic.

I guess I need to flush the transmission. How is this accomplished and what fluid should I use going forward?

It's getting cold here and my power steering pump made loud noises until it warmed up. I recall someone saying that it's better to use ATF instead of PS fluid. Is this right? Any type of ATF? How do you drain the PS fluid? Do you flush the PS?

I've got new pads and rotors on the rear now. OEM from Joe. The front brakes are aftermarket but lots of pad left. I need to replace my brake fluid. Should this be flushed somehow or just bled out and refilled? What brand of brake fluid does the NICO community recommend?

I need a new air filter, aren't they all the same?

I need a new fuel filter, aren't they all the same?

I need to clean the MAF I guess. I read where Jeff Williams does it monthly.

I guess a radiator flush wouldn't be a bad idea. What about running pure antifreeze after that?

I probably need new plugs. No telling when those were changed. What do y'all think.

What about the rear end?

What am I forgetting?

[PalmerWMD]

1)I have a can of BG44k for the tank. How often should I use this?

2)I bought a supply of those Mobile 1 filters for Joe and plan to start using synthetic oil. I know it's probably a whole other tread's material, but which oil. I mainly drive 10 miles to work in stop and go traffic.

3)I guess I need to flush the transmission. How is this accomplished and what fluid should I use going forward?

4)It's getting cold here and my power steering pump made loud noises until it warmed up. I recall someone saying that it's better to use ATF instead of PS fluid. Is this right? Any type of ATF? How do you drain the PS fluid? Do you flush the PS?

5)Should this be flushed somehow or just bled out and refilled? 6)What brand of brake fluid does the NICO community recommend?

7)I need a new air filter, aren't they all the same?

8)I need a new fuel filter, aren't they all the same?

9)I need to clean the MAF I guess. I read where Jeff Williams does it monthly.

10)I guess a radiator flush wouldn't be a bad idea. What about running pure antifreeze after that?

11)I probably need new plugs. No telling when those were changed. What do y'all think.

12)What about the rear end?

13)What am I forgetting?

1) Every 3 months2)Mobil1 0w-40 or Castrol Syntec 0w-30 ( the kind that says made in Germany and ACEA A3 on teh back only)3)We like Mobil 1 ATF but many otehr good ATF's exist.4)Mobil1 ATF5)Flush is good , bleed will do.6) Valvoline SynPower DOT 3/4. Only a little bit more expesnive than the cheapo stuff but SO much superior most the rest of what you find on a normal shelf.7)Just to be safe I would go wityh OEM, some aftermarkets are just as good but many arent and I am not sure which ones, safer to go OEM.8)OEM same reasons as above.9)Check his posts..10)Absolutely dont run pure AF after that . In winter maintain 50/50 mix and be sure the water portion is distilled or at least soft water.Summer 70% water rest AF plus one bottle redline water wetter.11) Change them ,w e have a new sponsor sparkplugs.com please use them.12) GL-5, Mobil1 GL5 or Valvoline Durablend GL-5.13) Have your tires re-balanced if newer and replaced if older. Be sure to frequently chekc your pressures and keep in mind colder weather often lower pressure below accepatble limits, also keep in mind pressure listed on placard is minimum I always go higher on a Q45, 35 in rear 37 is a good number for normal driving.

Fred..

[elwesso]

Ok, so I've had my Q for about eight months. It seems to be running fine, but a bit sluggish. I'm want to give it the once over and bring it up to NICO standards. What should I do?

I have a can of BG44k for the tank. How often should I use this?

I bought a supply of those Mobile 1 filters for Joe and plan to start using synthetic oil. I know it's probably a whole other tread's material, but which oil. I mainly drive 10 miles to work in stop and go traffic.

I guess I need to flush the transmission. How is this accomplished and what fluid should I use going forward?

It's getting cold here and my power steering pump made loud noises until it warmed up. I recall someone saying that it's better to use ATF instead of PS fluid. Is this right? Any type of ATF? How do you drain the PS fluid? Do you flush the PS?

I've got new pads and rotors on the rear now. OEM from Joe. The front brakes are aftermarket but lots of pad left. I need to replace my brake fluid. Should this be flushed somehow or just bled out and refilled? What brand of brake fluid does the NICO community recommend?

I need a new air filter, aren't they all the same?

I need a new fuel filter, aren't they all the same?

I need to clean the MAF I guess. I read where Jeff Williams does it monthly.

I guess a radiator flush wouldn't be a bad idea. What about running pure antifreeze after that?

I probably need new plugs. No telling when those were changed. What do y'all think.

What about the rear end?

What am I forgetting?

First of all how many miles you got

Ok, so I've had my Q for about eight months. It seems to be running fine, but a bit sluggish. I'm want to give it the once over and bring it up to NICO standards. What should I do?

I have a can of BG44k for the tank. How often should I use this?

I bought a supply of those Mobile 1 filters for Joe and plan to start using synthetic oil. I know it's probably a whole other tread's material, but which oil. I mainly drive 10 miles to work in stop and go traffic.

I guess I need to flush the transmission. How is this accomplished and what fluid should I use going forward?

It's getting cold here and my power steering pump made loud noises until it warmed up. I recall someone saying that it's better to use ATF instead of PS fluid. Is this right? Any type of ATF? How do you drain the PS fluid? Do you flush the PS?

I've got new pads and rotors on the rear now. OEM from Joe. The front brakes are aftermarket but lots of pad left. I need to replace my brake fluid. Should this be flushed somehow or just bled out and refilled? What brand of brake fluid does the NICO community recommend?

I need a new air filter, aren't they all the same?

I need a new fuel filter, aren't they all the same?

I need to clean the MAF I guess. I read where Jeff Williams does it monthly.

I guess a radiator flush wouldn't be a bad idea. What about running pure antifreeze after that?

I probably need new plugs. No telling when those were changed. What do y'all think.

What about the rear end?

What am I forgetting?

128k you should be ready for spark plugs and the other 60k service items...

Might be time to start thinking about the plenum...

Fred had a good post, and I agree with that... However my experience with the castrol stuff just doesnt impress me, after 4000 miles it was VERY dirty in a VERY clean engine... And I was sure to run the car hard at least once a week..

For 128k you may not see the benefits of synthetic... maybe consider a synthetic blend... i really like durablend, good for higher mileage engines by having a little extra detergents to keep things clean.....

FOr the BG 44k, I only recommend using this stuff when your going on a long trip.. I used it in my city driving (with many redlines) and on a 200 mile trip... The difference was phenominal... So dont use BG44k until you can take the car on a road trip where it will sustain highway speeds for a long time.....

I dont recall how much of a DIYer you are, but you can do the Q45tech approved home brew flush.. Drain fluid, remove pan, clean pan, replace filter... Then refill, run for 2 mins, drain and refill and repeat with the refill/run procedure until you go through 14 qts.....

Most people like using the turkey baster method of PS fluid... Take a turkey baster, suck it out and then repeat that until the fluid is very clean... ATF is what you want... Another method you could use is remove the bottom hose (return) on the res.. Plug up the res, and then the fluid will come out that way..... I might try this as Id rather change the fluid at once and be sure to have all fresh fluid in there... I may make a couple of articles on Q45.org on DIY transmission flush and DIY PS flush...

Like Fred said that stuff is good.. One thing you could get to flush the brakes is a vacuum pump... mityvac sells them, and they have a little thing you hook up to the bleeder, and literally suck the fluid out..... $50 for the pump but I think its worth it.....

Fuel and air always use OEM filters.....

We have a maf cleaning procedure on Q45.org... Just get a can of brake parts cleaner, spray it, let it dry, and away you go.....

How are your suspension components...?

[Jeff Williams]

Danny, give me a call. You can drive both of my Q's to see how they compare to yours.

I can help with the plugs, brake fluid, etc.

Shoot me an email.

[email protected]