can i tune-up my 97 Q45

[dagovna]

Hi All,I was wondering how hard is it to tune/up my 97 Q45. I havehad my Q worked on by the dealer(Holman Infiniti) for a while nowand quite frankly, they're starting to be a pain in the asphault. Ihave 136k on my Q beside regular oil changes every 3k miles thecar runs and responds very well to my driving demands as I drive 200 miles a day. Let me state that my last dealer checkup was at96k. I bought it with 45k on it. the only real problems that i hadwas that annoying service engine soon light (knock,O2 sensors/harness). The car is currently running very well, i just want to avoid some of the problems i see on this forum. Should i be concerned with the timing/belt? water/pump(replaced once),spark plugs(never replaced). How hard is it to replace spark plugstrans/flush(done twice, last time @ 110k). Ive worked on my ACURA/LEGEND 94, so i think i'm a DIY kinda guy. Also i downloaded my service manual from NISSAN/Publications and burned it to a cd. Please! Tell me what I should do. dagovna

[PalmerWMD]

-no sparks plug ever done they will be so hard to take out now it will for sure be beyond a DIYer.get those done ASAP, at a <good> shop as they are very hard to get out now.-ox sensors bad = less milage less power-knock sensors bad= lot less power or engine damage will eventually occur ( or already has) due to too much knock.

Looks like oil changes were kept up well and transmission kept up above average.

Fred...-no timing belt issue ( has chains) also chain guide issue is absent in 94's and newer.

[dagovna]

I should have made it clear that the knock/ harness/ and all O2sensors have been replaced. Are the spark/plugs going to be that difficult to take out? If so, why?

[PalmerWMD]

dagova:Yes that clarification makes a difference I was to understand that from your wanring light you had at least one of those out.

As for plusg memebrs of this site have often had a hard time with plugs that are older than 60k. Kinda frozen in place.If yours have 136k on them....

Might work out well but from what members report i'd be surprised if it runs out to be easy to dislodge them.I would ahegv the dealer do it despite the expense that way if something gets broke or stripped its on them and they have the expertise to take care of something like that.

Fred...

[elwesso]

My plugs had 120k when i took them out... I just needed a breaker bar to get them out (3ft I think).... I dont think youll have a problem getting them out, as they are still much newer than mine were.....

Id also suggest another transmission flush and a pandrop with filter change....

You might consider cleaning your TB, running some valve decarbing stuff (GM top engine cleaner, good stuff), cleaning the EGR, cleaning the MAF, running some BG44k and or getting a rail flush..... Also clean the plenum while you have the TB off....

do those things, adn with your new o2s and KS you should be golden....

[PalmerWMD]

My plugs had 120k when i took them out... I just needed a breaker bar to get them out (3ft I think).... I dont think youll have a problem getting them out, as they are still much newer than mine were.....

Wes I understood his post to mean that his car has 136k miles and the plugs are original, ie 136,ooo miles on plugs.

Fred..

[VA99Q45]

If you want to save some money, then try this first.Try to take out the easiest plug you can see. If you can remove that plug, maybe you can remove the rest.

The plugs on the 1999, which is the same as 1997 is not that hard to change. It took me about 3 hours to change them.

Be very carefull with the ignition coils.

To unplug the connector at the ignition coil, you have to push the top part of the connector all the way in.

[nuQ]

IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DIY, THEN DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND LOOK UP KEITH VANMETER OF VANMETER AUTO IN MANTUA, NJ. HE'S AN EX-MASTER INFINITI TECH THAT, I BELIEVE, WORKED AT HOLMAN INFINITI FOR YEARS. HE NOW OWNS HIS OWN SHOP AND CHARGES INDEPENDENT PRICES. ALSO MAINTAINS A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARTS GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY ARE PRETTY CHEAP. I HAD MY GUIDES, PLUGS, OIL PUMP, WATER PUMP, AND T-STAT DONE THERE ALMOST A YEAR AGO AND WAS COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH HIS PRICES AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALL THINGS Q. IF YOU CONTACT HIM TELL HIM YOU'RE A MEMBER HERE AND THE GREY 90Q THAT HE DID THE GUIDES FOR LAST FEB. I'M SURE HE'LL REALLY TAKE CARE OF YOU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS YOU CAN CONTACT ME DIRECTLY. JEFFPS-TELL HIM TO SPEND MORE TIME ON OUR SITE!!!!!