Help for a tite wad ?

[RAP]

NEED PARTS ! ! !

Yes my PERFECT 2000 Q 45 is slightly less so. The valve cover gaskets are leaking and I am going to replace them of course. Looks kinda funky going to a Casino with smoke coming out from under my BIG SHOT car. Looks like a GHETTO Bro??? I'm too embarrassed to use VALET parking. Yeah yeah I kno sound RACIST but... Who cares?

Shopping on the Infinity Parts USA site. Is that the site where this guy Joe works? In AZ?

The web site shows the valve cover gaskets at $ 18.26 each, plus shipping. Is that just the gasket, with no rubber washers for the hold down bolts?

The web site Autohaus Parts, featured on this website, also sells OEM gaskets but at $ 125.27 per complete set. The set includes the 32 rubber washers? Shipping is include above a 50 buck sale. Looks like they are more expensive than the Infiniti parts shop?

Are the prices listed on the Infinity Parts website the rock bottom or is there an additional discount available when calling Joe? Usually "stuff" sellers offer the best prices via the net versus taking up time with the "live guys"? Right or wrong ?

I am also considering swapping out all those under plenum hoses while doing the valve cover gaskets. I have yet to inspect the top of the engine but will do so soon to get an idea of what I am faced with. However just peeking under that big plastic engine decoration I can see that there will be some fairly tedious wrenching involved. The peek plus reading this forum on the subject, of course.

Thanks. Jack

[maxnix]

Not too bad, but you might want to clean the plenum and lower intake runners and IAC and EGR valves while it is off. I guarantee the EGF valve in the plenum is full of coke, the black kind.

Call Joe and drop the Y in Infiniti

[NightRiderQ45]

Shopping on the Infinity Parts USA site. Is that the site where this guy Joe works? In AZ?

The web site shows the valve cover gaskets at $ 18.26 each, plus shipping. Is that just the gasket, with no rubber washers for the hold down bolts?

That's the discounted price. I purchased some from him a couple of weeks ago. Also that's ONLY valve cover gaskets. The gasket alone is good for the left side valve cover, but MAKE SURE you order throttle body and Iacv gaskets for the driver's side valve cover.

[oldmako]

Is it essential to replace the rubber gaskets on each bolt or can one just reuse the old ones with a new gasket?

[AlabamaDan]

Is it essential to replace the rubber gaskets on each bolt or can one just reuse the old ones with a new gasket?

I reused them. I think Jeff Williams reused them and I plan to reuse them on another Q valve cover I need to work on.

Oh and like I always tell my wife, "I'm not a tite wad - I'm thrifty!"

[maxnix]

Is it essential to replace the rubber gaskets on each bolt or can one just reuse the old ones with a new gasket?

Compare size and resiency to new. There is a difference, and thus a defference in how the bolt will torque.

By them and return them if you con't use them.

Tite and good running Q45 usually don't go together. It is still a near $50K car. No discounts on parts or labor for its age.

[Rex]

Yes, "call" Joe and let him know what parts you're looking for, he'll reco any additional and has a great return policy for unused parts. It's much cheaper (your labor) to replace them this time, versus next time, and it's much faster to return the unneeded parts, then wait for them.

[NightRiderQ45]

Yep, I re-used mine also. I try not to be a tite wad with my Q. Just think about it, how much have you actually shelled out for your Q due to mechanical problems? I haven't at all . The only thing that I've replaced are:

1. altenator2. driver's side strut mount and stabilizer link bar3. valve cover gaskets. 169k on OEM 4. passagenger side strut mount-will do next weekend.

Like I stated, I have no problems with my Q!

[NY94J30]

Yes, "call" Joe and let him know what parts you're looking for, he'll reco any additional and has a great return policy for unused parts. It's much cheaper (your labor) to replace them this time, versus next time, and it's much faster to return the unneeded parts, then wait for them.

IOS return policy is return shipping plus 20% of cost. While 20% may not be much on a set of washers, I would not recommend buying more costly parts with the intention of returning them if you don't need them.

Shipping + $100 to return a $500 unused parts is a lot of money.

Time=money, you do the math, I suppose.

[Rex]

IOS return policy is return shipping plus 20% of cost. While 20% may not be much on a set of washers, I would not recommend buying more costly parts with the intention of returning them if you don't need them.

Shipping + $100 to return a $500 unused parts is a lot of money.

Time=money, you do the math, I suppose.

Yes, 20% is a good bit on bigger ticket items, but on most small "should I replace/will I need those" items it's inconsequential. Also, I thought Wes said when he talked to Joe, he was a little more lenient than the "policy".

[qship96]

In my experience in dealing with Joe, if you call in the order and explain upfront that you would like to have any POSSIBLE needed parts to go along with others you are ordering to complete a job,and talk about returning the un-needed and UNUSED,UNOPENED {re-sellable} parts you dont need,they are willing to accomodate you without a restocking fee.

Long time,repeat customers often get treated better than first timers or frequent abusers in any business,,,,its all about building relationships

[RAP]

Yep, I re-used mine also. I try not to be a tite wad with my Q. Just think about it, how much have you actually shelled out for your Q due to mechanical problems? I haven't at all . The only thing that I've replaced are:

1. altenator2. driver's side strut mount and stabilizer link bar3. valve cover gaskets. 169k on OEM 4. passagenger side strut mount-will do next weekend.

Like I stated, I have no problems with my Q!

Tite wad is an old term and also means I don't get stupid about cars. But I do wat I got to do.

For instance replacing the drivers seat bottom 200 bucks. With the help of Andy, on here, having a take-out from his parts car. The squashed seat looked really neglected. I had the upholstery guy reuse my leather and that made a for a nice matching job.350 bucks to have the roof repainted because of a couple of tiny scratches showing some rust that were sure to get worse if not fixed and painted. I could have daubed some spots of paint on the scratches I guess but I had a moment of weakness

I believe that the hold down bolts for the valve covers are the "upset type" or the threaded end is smaller than the part next to the bolt head? I think that's a Nissan feature and one cannot overly squash the rubber washer no matter how much torque is applied even to the point of breaking the bolt or stripping the threads. It's probably worthwhile using new washers though and I will I will do this to MY INFINIT Y and I

Thanks for the feed back everyone

Jack

[maxnix]

Long time,repeat customers often get treated better than first timers or frequent abusers in any business,,,,its all about building relationships

Being a long time NICO customer with Joe has its privileges.

That's all I am going to say.