Can anyone recommend an Infiniti mechanic near DC?

[tstringer]

I have a 97 Q45, 215,000 mi. It recently began misfiring and smoking.

I decided to take a chance that it was the ignition coils. While waiting for them to arrive I noticed oil had pooled in the intake opening where the hose connects from the MAF sensor. After replacing the coils it misfired less, but still runs rough and is burning oil. I suspect it may have a bad valve but took it for a test drive to see if the smoke would clear. It did not. I looked like I was spraying for mosquitoes. I also noticed it didn't seem to have full power when I floored it.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I am a DIYer and have owned and maintained this car for nine years but I do not want to attempt removing the intake plenum myself. Does anyone know of a good q45 tech close to DC? I'm willing to spend $1500-2500 to keep the car running. Does a valve job for a Q45 cost more than that?

Thanks,
Tstringer

[Q451990]

to NICO!

Hopefully someone will have some good advice for you regarding a technician in the DC area.

Have you had oil consumption issues in the past, or is this an issue that started all at once? I would be concerned about blow-by as well - but it's also worth checking to make sure your PCV valve isn't stuck open.

Good luck!

Heath

[tstringer]

That is a good point about the PCV. This started all at once, previously the car only consumed about 1 qt per 3,000 mi and I attribute some of that to leaky valve cover gaskets.

When you say "blow by" does that means a bad ring or scored cylinder wall?

I should have mentioned the smoke is white but also smells like unburned fuel.

[qship96]

White smoke well after being warmed up generally means coolant is getting into the cumbustion chamber and being burned.....has it ever over-heated? If so,push it off the cliff,not cost effective to repair at this stage of the game.

[tstringer]

No, it hasn't overheated and hasn't lost any coolant. I've experienced blown head gaskets on other cars and the symptoms were a little different. But the cliff may still be in the future.

I said I would keep this car until it died, I'm just hoping it isn't this soon.

[Q451990]

When you say "blow by" does that means a bad ring or scored cylinder wall?

I should have mentioned the smoke is white but also smells like unburned fuel.

Yes, that's what I mean by "blow by" as in oil blowing by the rings or valves. My old Q used to have a little bit of oil that collected in the intake hose - but my overall consumption was something more like what you mentioned. If you're smelling unburned fuel - especially after the car is warmed up - I would suspect an injector problem of some sort. Possibly a failing injector o-ring?

Are you actually seeing oil consumption beyond the typical 1qt/3K usage you've already noticed on the dipstick - or are you thinking that it's burning more oil due to the big smoke cloud behind the car?

Heath

[tstringer]

It hasn't been driven more than 5 miles since this started. I think it is burning oil because I see the big smoke cloud and because it takes a long time to dissipate. I ran it again today and it was pretty good on start up but after two minutes at idle it began to smoke, misfire and there was an incredibly strong gasoline odor. There is definitely unburned fuel coming out of the exhaust.

Also with the new EBay coils installed I am popping a P1320 code. I read a post online that blames this in non factory parts. Is that a known problem with aftermarket coils? The set I replaced was aftermarket and have been working for 5 years.

It isn't popping any other codes. Should I check the compression next? Is there any way to check the injectors on the drivers side? I replaced the ones on the passenger side last year.

Thank you,
Tabb

[Q451990]

How does your oil level check? If you're smelling unburnt fuel to that extent I'm still thinking that it's running very rich for some reason. If you notice that your oil reading is high, then it's likely unburnt fuel in the oil. If it's fuel, you risk hydrolocking the engine (death sentence) if you try to compress too much fuel in a cylinder.

Heath

[HaPpYfAcE]

I'd like to suggest Scanlan Fleet Service in Bladensburg, MD. They're just up the street from the Peace Cross memorial.

While they're not specific to Infiniti, they do great work.

[tstringer]

Happy Face,
Thanks for the suggestion. I looked them up online and they look like the kind of place I prefer.


Heath,
I had some time today to troubleshoot and I think you were spot on.

First I checked the oil level and it is high.

Next I checked the compression and all cylinders were good but I noticed the number three cylinder was spraying fuel when none of the others were.

When I reassembled it I put the old "Nissan brand" ignition coils on to see if the p1320 would go away.

I took it for a test drive and the smoke subsided after it warmed up and the power improved at WOT but it was still running rough at idle. When I checked the smoke it was unburned fuel. It is also hard to start (flooding). The 1320 code was popping immediately and then started taking longer and longer to recur.

I don't know if the smoke(unburned fuel) subsided because the engine was warm or if the injector just has some buildup. Do you think I should try getting the injector flushed or should I just have it removed and replaced. The #3 is under the intake plenum so I am guessing it will be a $1,500 repair.

Thanks for helping me troubleshoot it and if you have any recommendation on the next step I would appreciate it.

Tabb

[HaPpYfAcE]

Happy Face,
Thanks for the suggestion. I looked them up online and they look like the kind of place I prefer.
Tabb

You're most welcome.