Failed Emissions

[ChiQ45]

So took the Q for inspection on Saturday and it failed emissions.Did a test one of the cylinders is not firing plus need a new CAT. Would new plugs and wire fix the misfire? I'll probably just clean out the valve cover along with new plugs anything tricky about the valve cover? Got any tips for me Jeff Williams?

[Jeff Williams]

I would do the CAT, as a last resort ($1,100 each, from Infiniti).

The plugs are a snap, compared to the valve cover gaskets.

If you do the valve cover gaskets, leave a bread crumb trail...Just kidding! Start early, with a full stomach, and, if you don't have a manual, take a lot of pictures along the way.

It might be easier to drain the radiator, and remove the upper hose, for the passenger side. I didn't do this, and it was tight.

Get a short and long 4 MM allen wrench (preferrable one with the ball tips, so you can get to the screws at an angle.

Replace the fuel filter, while you are there.

Clean the Throttle body with a can of Throttle Body spray cleaner, and the MAF, with a can of brake cleaner, while you have it apart.

Order the valve cover gaskets, as well as a Throttle body gasket (if there is one), and any gaskets needed for the EGR Valve.

I have not done the driver's side, yet.

The only wires to replace, would be the harness, and that is not likely to be bad.

Others might chime in, about the emissions test. We don't do that anymore in Alabama (Too many good ole boys in politics around here). There might be some additioves you can put in the engine, to help that.

[ChiQ45]

I have a bid going for the rtv on ebay hopefully no one outbids me.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...93687I have a 93 I guess it takes rtv from what wes told me---and i hear it sucks to work with. Digital camera is recharging i'll be taking lots of pics.Thanks Jeff for the quick response

[Jeff Williams]

Are you bidding on one tube, or all that are in the picture?

If yo uget all, I might be interested in one tube, for mine.

I usually use black hi-temp RTV. I did not even know NISSAN had their own. It figures, though.

[ChiQ45]

I asked the seller if its for everything pictured...I'll get back to you after he gets back to me. I thinks its for everything in the pic I don't think they cost more than 7 bucks a tube from dealer (i may be wrong).

[zfixxer]

the factory nissan sealant is not really used to much any more.most of the tubes you get have all ready set up from the bottom to half way up. permatex makes a great sealant called ultra gray.it works well.

[Q451990]

I'd just go with the Permatex Grey. Make sure you order the "half moons" that go on the back of the cylinder heads. There are also some rubber doughnuts that go around the bolts that hold the rocker covers down in the middle. Joe can fill you in on this... T3 (and many others I'm told) just put RTV on these "doughuts" rather than replacing them. The guys at T3 also have an abrasive disc (looks more like a round 3M scrubbie pad, not a rock or sandpaper!) on an agle dye grinder that makes it much easier to clean off the old RTV. Bryon cleans the rocker covers and heads up in minutes with one of these things vs. my hours with a dental pick and tooth brush - and I still didn't get them clean.

As far as your dead cylinder... I'd be very concerned about the injector on that cylinder. It'll either be an injector or coil pack, with injectors being the far more common problem. Do you have a bad "bounce" at idle? That really needs to be addressed. Which cylinder is dead??

While you're in there, you might replace the coil pack boots... they're cheap and if you've had oil pooling up around the plugs, they may have some corrosion. Replace the spark plugs with factory NGK's only!

Heath

[Jeff Williams]

I lucked out on buying a '94.

Not only did I miss the chain guides issue, but I also have one-piece valve cover gaskets, that include the plug donuts, the bolt donuts, and the half-moons, all in 1! I took, maybe 10 minutes to remove the light blue silicone around the half-moons that the factory used.

Sounds like you might want to ask the seller if the tubes have set-up.

[ChiQ45]

Q451990-I haven't noticed any bounce at idle but on highway speeds theres times when it seems the car gets an extra kick---hardly noticeable but i do feel it at higher speeds--who should i contact for the half moons and donuts? krispy kream? just kidding--- who's joe? from scottsdale?Chi

[Jeff Williams]

--- who's joe? from scottsdale?Chi

He is the guy at Infinitipartsusa.com at the left of your screen in the advertisement area.

Tell him you are a NICO member, and he will definitely treat you right.

[Q451990]

You'll want to call Joe for faster service. 1-888-216-5328.

If you don't feel a severely irregular idle (bounce, bounce, bounce) then you don't have a dead cylinder.

Heath

[ChiQ45]

$118.83 for half moons shippedIts not completely dead--from what the mechanic told me he said he did a compression test and its not getting full compression. Quote from him the cylinder is basically dead. Is that a good price for half moons shipped? I talked to a Frank there. He said I need like a quantity of 30+. I'll go back to the guy again and ask him for specifics on the compression test.