HELP! Major breakdown, what to do?

[cafebisque]

While driving today, my power steering went out. ABS started acting up and clicking when braking and the car overheated. The temp gauge was beyond hot. I don't know what is up. No computer warnings or anything else. Just had an oil change, but don't see any relation.

The stealer wants $100 just to diagnose the issue. What do you think? All feedback is greatly appreciated.

AG

[Rex]

Year, mileage, general maintenance history?

We'll do our best to help, just need a little more info.

[cafebisque]

Sorry, here goes.

1994 q 45. Standard. Not A. 108K. Second owner since appx. 40K. All services performed according to guidelines, typically by dealer. Oil changes by a local shop. Never had problems. Car has started to drip, perhaps a drop a day, I was told it was a trainy seal. Nothing major. The power steering reservoir is full. Checked all fuses, all okay. Did not check relays.

Thanks,

AG

[Rex]

Well, over heating and power steering sounds like you lost a belt. My 94 lost its, due to idler pulley locking up about the same time. Luckily for me it was 20 degrees outside at the time and I got stopped before the needle got about mid point.

That's where I'd look first. You should have 3 belts, take a look and see.

[cafebisque]

Hi Rex,

Thanks. You are absolutely correct. So, I guess can I drive the car for about 3 miles to have a local shop do the job or should I absolutely have it towed?

Any danger besides overheating?

Alex

[cafebisque]

Also,

How big a job is it to replace belts?

Thanks in advance.

[Rex]

Hi Rex,

Thanks. You are absolutely correct. So, I guess can I drive the car for about 3 miles to have a local shop do the job or should I absolutely have it towed?

Any danger besides overheating?

Alex

Overheating is a big enough danger, that I would not risk it. Mine happened in the dead of winter and I realized before driving out of the parking lot.

I had the dealer do the belts, once I realized the idler pulley needed replacing as well. IIRC, the whole thing - all 3 belts, pulley and labor was ~$200-250.

[cafebisque]

Thanks for the info. I will touch base with Peak Infiniti tomorrow and go from there. They reserved a loaner for me, so wish me luck.

Have a good night.

Alex

[chinaonnitrous]

good luck with the temp needle that high....oh man.

[gniknave]

Alex, changing the belt's is not a hard job at all even if you have to change a pulley. I did it with no mechanical experience whatsoever. Heck I didn't even have access to an FSM at the time like I do now. If you want to save yourself the bucks, do a search (red button in upper right hand corner) type in "elwesso" as the username and search "belts". Elwesso did a writeup on how to do this a short time ago, it includes a diagram of all the parts you'll see in there.

[Jberger]

Ditto the previous posts about this being an EASY fix. Just a socket-set and a creeper and you can be back on the road. No need to tow to the dealer. Just find a flat parking lot and throw the belt on. Buy 2 belts just in case you find out it was a bad pulley.

The pulley change is not a problem either, just takes more time and you need to make sure you re-touque it correctly.

This is too easy to spend $$$ at the dealer. . .

[Jeff Williams]

It is a 15 minute job. Heat kills the knock sensors. Mine went from normal to HOT in less than a mile, and that was with the engine off, coasting from 120 to 0.

If the engine is completely cold, you could drive maybe 3 minutes, before you melt about $2,500 worth of stuff. The wrecker is about $90.

Have them replace all the belts, and go ahead with new hoses and coolant. It ran me a little over $300, but that was my private Infiniti ASE mechanic who charges me $65 per hour.

The idler pulleys are about $75 each, and are near toast at 200K. The thermostat is probably due, and the fan clutch/blades are probably worn out and cracked.

Once you start, you might as well bring out the credit card and do it right.

[elwesso]

Figure out if it was an idler pulley.. Really, you can go and buy a small tool set and be able to do this job, its very simple. Just pay attention to how the idlers come off. I put mine on backwards by accident, youll know if you hear them squeal....

When replacing belts, DEFINITELY make sure you replace the alternator and PS/water pump belt.... The AC belt is one you want to replace too and honestly, you have to take off all 3 in order to replace the AC so do them all at one time.

I took my idler pulleys off when i did the belts, because i didnt know about the tensioner thing