Good riddance to my Q45, a real dog

[QShip]

I'm just happy to see that he wasn't bashed for dumping his Q.

[NWilner]

Hey thanks guys I appreciate the comments (this has always been a great forum).

BTW what is "T3" and what does it mean to go there?

[fxjackso]

One reason the previous owner liked the car was that he never spent a dime on it!

[Q451990]

BTW what is "T3" and what does it mean to go there?

T3 is an independent shop in Atlanta that specializes in Infiniti and Lexus. They have a couple of techs. that specialize in the 90-96Q and probably replace more timing chain guides (in the 90-93) than any other single shop anywhere. I call it the "Q Mecca" - many dead Q's sitting around the yard, and the best service hands-down. An added benefit is that Q45Tech hangs out there on a regular basis and has his run of the place. Having him go through your car is as valuable as having the team of engineers and designers who built it on hand!

One of the problems with dealership service on an older car, is that the techs. that are there now may not have been there when the cars were new. If so they don't have a great deal of old Q experience, and didn't receive the factory training on them.

It's absolutely amazing how much service differs from place to place. I took my Q to the dealership several times after they did some work on it. Mostly complaints about a lack of power compared to how I had felt it ran in the past. Their best answer was "well - some just run better than others..." Took it to T3 and Dennis immediately identified the knock sensor harness issue (damaged by dealership) and dirty injectors. New harness, injector flush, and she was back to her old self!

Heath

[Q45tech]

I wish it was mandantory to use the Consult to check for codes on every service that came in, even simple oil changes. Most places only have 1 or 2 to share among all techs. And few are expert in its use.

At least OBD2 scanners are inexpensive [few hundred] so everyone can have one and interchangeable between brands.Every 90-95 Q should get a full battery of test every year.Consult, timed 50-80 mph acceleration, and WOT parameters.It would only take 1-1.5-2.0 hours but few want to spend $100-$150-$200 when they don't notice a serious problem!

Annual dyno emission test catch a lot but not everything [test are way broad with lots of slack] since they don't exceed 3,000 rpm and are rare in many areas of US.

[maxnix]

One reason the previous owner liked the car was that he never spent a dime on it!

This should have been a huge red flag. Basically, he is telling you he abused the car and you are getting only a shell of the former vehicle, and probably in an impaired state.

[tpuig]

Is there a T3 equivalent on the West Coast? Although I'd love to make the drive, don't really have the time to cross country to Atlanta, nor would I trust the car that far... I've got a very similar situation to NWilner with my '94 Q45t. Just passed 90k. Lots of dealer time, and now independent shops, but no real determination of why it's stalling and hesitating. Stranded us on the freeway just the other day. MAF, fuel relay/controller, etc. I'd rather not throw money at it unless I can find a competent tech somewhere withing a day's drive of SF Bay area... TP

[crubio]

Jerry Tuckers All Import Service in San Diego 858.573.1118 http://www.jerrytucker.net/

[tpuig]

Cool, thanks. I think the wife might like a couple days in SD... TP

[SOCAL91Q45a]

Somehow i dont get the impression Jerry Tucker = T3 ... but Ive not been to either, and Im new.

Anyplace else on the LEFT Coast .. preferrably south? Stillen is just down the street, but I get this tightening in my Gludious Maximus just hearing the name spoken :-)

[SOCAL91Q45a]

Ive watched a friend of mine get CREAMED on a "low mileage" lease trade in BMW 740il 2 years a go. I even have a good motorcycle riding buddy whose a 12 yr BMW mechanic. It slaughtered my buddy with the 740 in 8 months ... $15k car price and $8,500 in prior owner NEGLECT recovery and there was little my owner friend and mechanic friend could do about it.

90-93 Q w/ ECU and/or TCU - IMHO looks better, rides better, the A's handle way better, and Im confident better performance than the 740 Il.

I find the trunk ample, and the rear seat area CAVERNOUS in the Q - the 740 Il is bigger perhaps in trunk and rear seat but ... then WHY cry about performance? The Q is waaay more PLUSH and comfy interior too.

[Q45tech]

The Q catches people unaware only when they have never driven/owned a European V8 before. People coming from 4-6 cylinders [domestic or foreign] learn a lesson quickly.NICO, the FSM, the junkyard, ebay, Scottsdale and your technican become your best friends.

Just too much for some owners to contemplate and the return to so so cars and get on with their lives

Your $15k friend got off easy with $8500 in R&R on the 740, I'll bet there was another $7,000 they decided not to spend....YET.

As for T3 it's just the volume of old Q we see. If it's going to happen we've seen it multiple times and fought thru a solution.But we see new things all the time from out of state cars proving local enviroment [gasoline] can make a difference.

Same with many original Master techs at dealers in the US they know what to do but may be restrained by the dealer system or their need to make a living..........they are rushing to retrain on the G35..........after all more of those will be sold than the 90-93Q.

[forecast]

I feel that one of the major weakness to the infiniti brand seems to be the dealer service departments.

How many stories have I read on this forum that goes something like: "I can't afford to keep my Q ... it has X and Y problems, I've paid the dealer Z thousand dollars to replace A thru N parts and it still isn't any better"

Arrrgh!

If I took my Q to a shop for a vibration problem and they said, "well for $2000 we should fix it" I'd demand a 50-75% effectivness warranty. Sure, replace the prop shaft, but if that doesn't fix it, I want a credit for 75% of my cost towards fixing the real problem.

[Jeff Williams]

[quote=" forecast If I took my Q to a shop for a vibration problem and they said, "well for $2000 we should fix it" I'd demand a 50-75% effectivness warranty. Sure, replace the prop shaft, but if that doesn't fix it, I want a credit for 75% of my cost towards fixing the real problem. [/quote] I second that idea. That is the standard response is all other industries.

[elwesso]

Thats why I DIY EVERYTHING unless I dont have the know how or tools to do a job.... I am very tempted to just take it to the dealer and say FIX IT (I have many little gremlins lurking around)... But they wouldnt fix ONLY the parts necessary....... Id end up with a 5000 repair bill, and probably a semi broken Q........