fuel filter location

[jbgump]

I have a 1996 Q45 with 146000 mi that bogs down while cruising and stalls when slowing to a stop. This only happens after the car is warm. I thought it might be the fuel filter so I was wondering the location of it. Could it possibly be the catylytic converters? This was originally a California car. No check engine light comes on

[ceningolmo]

Have you checked for codes on ECU? If not, reference http://www.q45.org for instructions on how to do so. You may find lots of little tidbits you didn't know.

As for the fuel filter... it is located between engine and the inner wheel well on the passenger side of engine compartment. When looking at the engine from the front you will notice that the fuel hoses come up to the fuel rail from the left front of the plenum. Fuel filter is a metal cannister looking thing...track bacward from the fuel hoses and you will find it.

[maxnix]

Welcome to our club!

Fuel and intake air filters are best shcnged every year or 12K - 15K miles.

Most new owners here change all fluids after purchase unless there is solid evidence of a recent change.

[96Qowner]

It's possibly the fuel filter, but unlikely. It's a silver can, a little smaller than a soup can, on the passenger side of the motor, easy to spot. You should probably change it anyway - it gets neglected..

This sounds more like another MAF failure, though. The Mass Airflow Sensor is notorious for causing symptoms like yours in a Q45. I chased the fuel pump, FPCU and fuel filter on mine before I finally replaced the MAF and solved the issue.

You can try cleaning it according to these instructions:

http://www.q45.org/maf.html

I found that mine continued to fail, though. Cleaning it should restore performance for awhile. If the symptoms go away after cleaning, then you can be pretty sure that's your problem. Eventually, you'll want to replace it with a new or used one. New ones from our sponsor Joe are $300 or so. You can usually find a used one for under $75. Many of us have had good luck with buying used, either through car-part.com (Air Flow Meter - 1995 or 1996) or ebay, or NICO members parting out their cars. Check with PopPop on the NICO Infiniti Parts forum. He collects and resells Q45 parts.

Take some time with the Search feature, here, to do some research. I suggest you search for "MAF" in the "Infiniti Q45 forum" for "Post Bodies" both "Recent" and "Archived" content.
Modified by 96Qowner at 8:55 AM 10/6/2006

[ceningolmo]

Damn! Nice post... you packed a lot of helpful information in a small area. Kudos!

[maxnix]

Well, if it your fuel filter, you should seroiusly consider a fuel rail flush.

However, why don't you tell us about your fuel system maintenance history? Any noise from behind the rear seat?

[jbgump]

bought the car from a dealer lease with 120000 mi. asumming the dealer kept up maintanence. I have done nothing with the fuel line in the 26000 mi that I've put on it. No noise coming from the trunk area

[jbgump]

thanks for the post...I just changed the fuel and airfilter and cleaned the MAF....just waiting the hour for it to dry!!

[ceningolmo]

Take it for a nice drive... see how she handles warm/cold, soft accelerationg and hard acceleration. Hopefully, all will feel well.

If all feels well... or, even if it doesn, check the codes on your ECU. I'd be interested what it tells you.

[bigdog76]

All of us will tell you that it is either a MAF sensor issue or MAF connector. Read this post it turned into a 58 post thread and counting.

zerothread?id=197342

Let me know if my problems sounded the same?

[maxnix]

bought the car from a dealer lease with 120000 mi. asumming the dealer kept up maintanence.

Dont assume!

Get the Infiniti dealer performed service history.