I have been sucessful in getting 3 sets of guides, tensioners, and the oil chains at dealer cost. Don't ask!I have persuaded T3 [South Cobb] to install them at cost for NICO members.
Members may avail themselves of a $1,000 + 7% tax price till these 3 sets are gone.........That's a $200 off the normal price.
[Christmas present].
I think we have done most everyone in Atlanta by now.
Discount 90-93 chain guides
I think it's the cost/benefit equation that's holding most folks back.
I'd actually like to get it done on "Pearl" AKA Stinky (mildew smell) that a bought a month or two ago, but the price is almost exactly what I paid for the car.
Needless to say, I'm having a hard time justifying the expense for the guides, even though I spent $200+ with Joe today for other parts. I'm not trying to restore this car back to OEM condition, other than the seat leather, it's in great shape already.
I'd actually like to get it done on "Pearl" AKA Stinky (mildew smell) that a bought a month or two ago, but the price is almost exactly what I paid for the car.
Needless to say, I'm having a hard time justifying the expense for the guides, even though I spent $200+ with Joe today for other parts. I'm not trying to restore this car back to OEM condition, other than the seat leather, it's in great shape already.
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nuQ
- Posts: 1659
- Joined: Thu Jan 23, 2003 1:39 pm
- Car: 2003 Infiniti M45
2009 Dodge Caliber SXT - Location: Bethlehem PA
BTW,,,,,I'M NOT SURE THAT I'D AGREE THAT THE CHAIN GUIDES ARE AN OEM ISSUE. KINDA LIKE FINDING OUT THAT A CAR HAS A FAULTY OIL PUMP, BUT ONE CAN'T JUSTIFY SPENDING THE MONEY TO BRING IT TO "LIKE NEW CONDITION". I CAN UNDERSTAND SOMEONE NOT BEING AS "ANAL" AS DENNIS WHEN IT COMES TO STRUTS, OR SUSPENSION BUSHINGS, BUT THE GUIDES WILL DESTROY YOUR Q!
I checked the dealer records on my 90 Q and the guides have never been replaced to their knowledge.
My reason(s) for not replacing them up till now are mainly ignorance (I didn't know until NICO told me); and then conscience (should I fix a Q for more than it's worth); and then reluctance (can I somehow fix it myself).
I think I already know the answer, but, it would be nice if you confirmed the following:
1. How can you tell if it's needed?(I think the answer is you have to open the engine to take a look to see if the previous owner already did it).
2. If the engine has to be opened, is there a step-by-step procedure (preferably with photos accompanying each step) that shows us how to do it ourselves? (probably not ... that's why God made me
3. How long should it take for an expert? (To extrapolate what it would take me, I usually multiply shop time by 10 and then change the scale by one notch, e.g., from minutes to hours, from hours to days, and from days to weeks, etc.). With photos & posts back to NICO to help the next Q'bie, I up shop time by at least two notches.
4. What are the MAJOR steps?
I have NOT checked the shop manual for the chain-guide-check procedure ... but can you tell me the MAJOR steps involved (like does the engine have to be removed from the car, etc.)?
My reason(s) for not replacing them up till now are mainly ignorance (I didn't know until NICO told me); and then conscience (should I fix a Q for more than it's worth); and then reluctance (can I somehow fix it myself).
I think I already know the answer, but, it would be nice if you confirmed the following:
1. How can you tell if it's needed?(I think the answer is you have to open the engine to take a look to see if the previous owner already did it).
2. If the engine has to be opened, is there a step-by-step procedure (preferably with photos accompanying each step) that shows us how to do it ourselves? (probably not ... that's why God made me
3. How long should it take for an expert? (To extrapolate what it would take me, I usually multiply shop time by 10 and then change the scale by one notch, e.g., from minutes to hours, from hours to days, and from days to weeks, etc.). With photos & posts back to NICO to help the next Q'bie, I up shop time by at least two notches.
4. What are the MAJOR steps?
I have NOT checked the shop manual for the chain-guide-check procedure ... but can you tell me the MAJOR steps involved (like does the engine have to be removed from the car, etc.)?
1) Correct--open up the engine to be sure. If the RTV around the front cover is NOT light blue, then there's a chance they've been done, but no guarantee.
2) http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....=1632
3) An expert who's done hundreds can have it done in a day. A noob with guidance can do it in about a weekend assuming no major setbacks and all parts and tools are in hand.
2) http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....=1632
3) An expert who's done hundreds can have it done in a day. A noob with guidance can do it in about a weekend assuming no major setbacks and all parts and tools are in hand.
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
It's been 40 days since I made the discount offer and only one has taken me up on it they drove to Atlanta from Houston and luckily they had newer guides [a 93] so they used the money to fix other things......tension rods, transmission mount, oil senser, PS hose, etc.
We are contemplating a plenum/ks sensor harness discount.......if I can find some discount KS.
We are contemplating a plenum/ks sensor harness discount.......if I can find some discount KS.
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natsoundup
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 4:27 am
Q45tech wrote:1) It's been 40 days since I made the discount offer and only one has taken me up on it they drove to Atlanta from Houston and luckily they had newer guides [a 93] so they used the money to fix other things......tension rods, transmission mount, oil senser, PS hose, etc.
2) We are contemplating a plenum/ks sensor harness discount.......if I can find some discount KS.
1) I've made the suggestion no less then 2 times and seen it made a few more.
2) Let me know when you get to the point of offering a discount/package for this
. I'm going to make a visit to my sister in Atlanta part of my Easter week.My guides are done, but I still marvel at the idea of not "putting the money into an old Q" argument. As I drive to work I see many others driving the equivalent of my car. However, they have $800-1000 per month in lease, finance and/or depreciation. I have my $200-300 maintenance budget.
What's it worth to drive such a car as a firtst gen Q? To find out, go out and replace it!
What's it worth to drive such a car as a firtst gen Q? To find out, go out and replace it!
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
The problem is we already get a 30% discount bring our cost down to $100 each delivered when we need them.
$80/$90 plus freight and having the money tied up doesn't do any good.
The labor time is still the labor time and we must gross [parts and labor] $150 per billable hour worked to stay in business. Or at least $90 per billable hour with customer supplied parts.
Everyday Byron charges $1,000 labor with customer supplied parts is a loser since he can normally generate $1200 in real after cost income.
We already give what is in effect a 20% discount for out of state customers via NICO if customers bring ALL their own parts........it gets sticky when they forget something significant but we just charge retail for that extra item............Takes some planning and thought to get the full 20%.
$80/$90 plus freight and having the money tied up doesn't do any good.
The labor time is still the labor time and we must gross [parts and labor] $150 per billable hour worked to stay in business. Or at least $90 per billable hour with customer supplied parts.
Everyday Byron charges $1,000 labor with customer supplied parts is a loser since he can normally generate $1200 in real after cost income.
We already give what is in effect a 20% discount for out of state customers via NICO if customers bring ALL their own parts........it gets sticky when they forget something significant but we just charge retail for that extra item............Takes some planning and thought to get the full 20%.