Help me Please

[maxnix]

Usually they rebuild a stock cast iron Amurican pushrod V8 (at least in the old days). Maybe in the advanced class there may be hope. Also, a lot of associations (including most armed services posts and bases) have complete garages for their members.

[Q451990]

I asked about removing the front cover and he told me that it was 25.2 hours. I didn't think it was that much to pull it off. If it is, is that the only way to check the oil chains?

Not to give away trade secrets or anything, but on a lift the front cover can be removed in less than two hours with the radiator still in place (by an experienced tech. e.g Byron at T3). They're feeding you a load of crap with that 25 hour quote. It wouldn't surprise me if the noise is a bad idler pulley or other "accessory" located near the front cover.

As far as the turbine sensor - it should take about three minutes with the transmission out - it's held in place by one bolt! Trust me - you want to make the trip to Atlanta... just bring a can of Lysol for your accomodations at the MicroTel My room came complete with a quarter bottle of cheapo red wine and a half bag of dried apricots in the dresser drawer.

Heath

[90Q45blue]

Thanks all for your input, thank you Heath especially for that *interesting* piece of information. I will fight with them one more time on it, but if they don't budge I'm taking my car to a good independent here in town who is much more reasonable and equally knowledgeable at the least.

I think for right now, I'm going to worry about these things first and foremost:

-new power steering hoses-new fuel lines-new transmission turbine sensor-new rear main seal

This is reason why I'm going to have the rear main seal done. The turbine sensor needs to be done and ALL the labor between the two jobs is overlap, so it only makes sense to kill two birds with one stone.

After these jobs are done, I'll take it to an independent here to check into the chain issue further. The driveshaft I'll have them replace fluid w/ GL-5 and buy myself some time. My independent said I may not need a new actuator and that a lot of times Major just says that when what I really may need is a master cylinder (MUCH cheaper). So I think that's where I'm at. I also will get the cruise control fixed because I can't go another road trip without it.

Do you guys think this is a good start? Basically I want to spend around $4,000 now and get done what I can, then spend $3,000 more over the summer. That should take care of all of my problems. The service man at Major Infiniti did say that the power balance test came out to within spec, compression on the engine is "very good" and there is "no sludge" in the engine. This makes me think my engine will still last me a while. Also the transmission itself has a lifetime warranty, though the electricals on it do not.

I think after spending $7k over the next 7 months, I'll have a car that will last me a long time.

Let me know your thoughts on my plans. By the way, I will never get rid of this car. When I graduate law school in 4.5 years, I'm putting 25-30k in it to FULLY restore it.

Nick

p.s. Thank you to all NICO members, we all make this site the best there is. I'm going to donate some money to NICO because of all the time and money I've saved just by being a member of this site. If you have saved money through this site and its knowledge I encourage you to do the same. :icesangel

[elwesso]

Im a supporter at cadillac forums.... And I dont even have a cadillac there!!! You can bet Ill be helpin out here..... If I do, does that give me "a license to whore"??

What you got there seems like a good start.....

[maxnix]

Let me know your thoughts on my plans.

I think you should consider a complete flush of the brake system. The ABS usually fails because of moist fluid (it's hygroscopic) and oxygenated hydraulic fluid turning acidic.

Hopefully it is just your master cylinder. New fluid might indicate to you where any problems lie if you can achieve higher brakeline pressures with it.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[90Q45blue]

Cool. Thanks for the advice. That's probably something my independent can handle huh?

Nick

[maxnix]

Cool. Thanks for the advice. That's probably something my independent can handle huh?

Nick

If he knows the bleeding procedure. Take your manual with you.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[90Q45blue]

I ALWAYS bring the FSM.

Nick

[Q451990]

I don't understand the confusion between the master cylinder and ABS actuator. They're on different sides of the engine bay! If the ABS actuator is leaking, you'll see fluid collecting around the two cylinders in the middle of the actuator, and you'll see it below the actuator on the bracket. If it's the master cylinder look for brake fluid running down the brake booster. If in doubt, clean everything with brake parts cleaner and look for fresh fluid.

Heath

[90Q45blue]

Thanks guys for all your help thus far,

Here is an update:

Today I spoke with Dave from Major Infiniti and scheduled the following to be done this week:

Replace power steering hosesReplace oil pressure send unitReplace rear main oil sealReplace transmission turbine sensorReplace front crankshaft oil sealRe-ground loose wire to MAF connectorFix cruise control (probably needs a new brake switch and maybe a speed sensor)

As far as the ABS unit, that, the fuel lines and the chain issues will be worked out by Bob's Automotive here in town. They do the most work on Infiniti's of anyone around here and their tech has owned 3 first-gen Q's (oddly enough). I'll have to get him on this board.

Thanks again for the help so far.

Nick

[fxjackso]

If you are going to get the rear main seal and turbine sensor replaced, then get a new trans rear mount, and the attached exhaust mount. The labor would be included in your other R&R.

[Q45tech]

Don't get your hopes up, I always warn that one should find out how much the previous owners spent [and how much what was replaced under warranty].

The State of Texas did a complete maintenance study on their CAR fleet and it came to 8.3 cents per mile till 100k. I can assure you states don't have many lux cars nor do they maintain to perfection.........but they do get discounts on tires and parts.

If the total of factory warranty and owner expense wasn't $8,300 [in the first 100k] you can be assured you owe the car big time.

We bought a pristine 1990 LS400 with 210,000 miles [for $3,800] the owner kept track of every dealer visit and she went every 90 days ~~~ $31,000 in 13.5 years ~ 14.8 cents per mile..........every thing that usual breaks has been replaced except the transmission and engine, driveshaft, differential, etc.

[90Q45blue]

If you are going to get the rear main seal and turbine sensor replaced, then get a new trans rear mount, and the attached exhaust mount. The labor would be included in your other R&R.

I had those replaced last year when I replaced my transmission.

Nick

[90Q45blue]

Don't get your hopes up, I always warn that one should find out how much the previous owners spent [and how much what was replaced under warranty].

The State of Texas did a complete maintenance study on their CAR fleet and it came to 8.3 cents per mile till 100k. I can assure you states don't have many lux cars nor do they maintain to perfection.........but they do get discounts on tires and parts.

If the total of factory warranty and owner expense wasn't $8,300 [in the first 100k] you can be assured you owe the car big time.

We bought a pristine 1990 LS400 with 210,000 miles [for $3,800] the owner kept track of every dealer visit and she went every 90 days ~~~ $31,000 in 13.5 years ~ 14.8 cents per mile..........every thing that usual breaks has been replaced except the transmission and engine, driveshaft, differential, etc.

Dennis,

I'm not sure I understand you here. You're saying not to get my hopes up on getting the car fixed? or keeping it awhile? Sorry, I'm just confused.

FYI though, the previous owner was my father from 0-180,000 miles and $13,700 was spent in the first 100k because he bought the extended warranty. This also includes the "then expensive" chains and chain guide replacement and replacing 6 of the 8 injectors.

Nick