Grinding Noise When Starting/ Fuel smell in car

[Carolina Boi]

I have a 1995 Q45 that I just purchase :-) and she runs perfect, but I have 2 issues. First one is when I start the car, there is a slight grinding noise. One mechanic told me the starter was dragging, has anyone had this experience with their starter,

My Second issue is; is their a slight gasoline smell in the car. The smell is really bad in the trunk, where the gas tank is. There seams to be some type of sealant at the top of the gas tank that is chipping away and the smell is strong there. I am thinking there is a crack or whole in the gas tank and I was going to buy some sealant to seal that area back up Does anyone have any advice on this. Thsi is my first Q45 and I have wanted one for a long time, and I want the car to be running right.

[maxnix]

Check the service history and see if the fuel pump was replaced.

Bet they didn't use a new O ring.

Welcome to NCIO

Be sure to read all of Q45tech's posts to get your car right.

[92Q45guy]

O-ring would be my guess also.

[Carolina Boi]

Thanks guys, I will have the O-ring checked. I dont know the service history but the fuel pump seems to be working, fine. Is replacing O-ring expensive on the Q???.... Also does my first issue sound like the starter?

[DrewQ45]

If the grinid

Thanks guys, I will have the O-ring checked. I dont know the service history but the fuel pump seems to be working, fine. Is replacing O-ring expensive on the Q???.... Also does my first issue sound like the starter?

If the grinding noise is occuring before it kicks over, then yeah, I would think that's the starter. Also, get that gas problem fixed before you end up on the news. Strong smell mean fumes and just about every switch you use or even static on your carpet generate minute sparks.

[Carolina Boi]

Is the O-ring easy to replace, where I can do myself or should I have a mechanic do it

[maxnix]

Read Tangalora's excellent posts in Infiniti Online Mecahnic on fuel pump replacement and FPCU repair.

[louiegz]

Is the O-ring easy to replace, where I can do myself or should I have a mechanic do it

It's a bit of a pain, but it is something you can do yourself. Hell, I did it. If I can do it, so can you. It involves taking the rear seat out and the parcel shelf. Then take out the lining in the back of the trunk. You'll see the fuel tank and the pump is on top. Since it is such a pain in the arse to get there, see if the pump is good. If it's buzzing, then change it too. If you want to see if the gas smell is from the o ring, then take that back lining from the back of the trunk first, which is much easier that taking the seat out and see if you smell gas in the trunk. If not, then the gas smell is from something else. I have pictures from when I did my fuel pump in my photo gallery. Just click on the picture of my car and go to page 9. The search usually sucks and you might have a hard time finding Tangalora's posts.