Help me Please

[90Q45blue]

Hi fellas,

Took my car to Major Infiniti in Kansas City, MO today. I had them do a diagnostic test with an engine diagnosis, power balance test, leakdown test, etc. I wanted them to determine absolutely everything that was wrong with the car.

Here's what they came up with:

Needs a new ABS Actuator Unit 2.5hrsNeeds new fuel lines and clamps 9.0hrsNeeds new P/S hoses 4.0hrsNeeds new rear pads & rotors 2.0hrsNeeds 2 new P/S rack boots 2.0hrsNeeds new oil pressure send unit .8hrsNeeds rear main seal 9.0hrsNeeds front crankshaft oil seal 2.5hrsNeeds transmission turbine sensor 1.0hrsNeeds new driveshaft 2.2hrsNeeds valve covers resealed 4.0hrs

It also needs some miscellaneous work like a new speed sensor and brake switch ($660) and a new driver's side door handle and window regulator ($540).

Now the big news, he said that the timing chains were wearing. Therefore, I'm going to need to have the timing chains and guides replaced AGAIN. I am not happy about this at all. He quoted me 26 hours of labor.

Overall, I am not a happy person. I really want to get my car running tip-top again, but all this is a bit over my head at the moment. Please help me decide which items are must-fixes and which items can be dealt with later. Let me know where I can go (I already know to go to Joe and Grubbs and Pinnacle for parts, but anywhere else would be appreciated too). Also, let me know of any deals you know of going around.

Having the car towed to T3 would cost me almost $1,000 alone I think (840 miles x 1.00 = $840 +tax)

Please help me guys. I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you,

Nick

p.s. He did say the engine looks very good with no sludge and that the power balance test came out well.

[DAEDALUS]

Is your car leaking oil? Did they remove any of the covers, and if not, then how do they know the timing chains are wearing? I'm pretty skeptical.

[90Q45blue]

He did say the car was leaking oil. I'll have to ask him tomorrow about pulling the cover. He did say they "didn't look too far down in there"

Nick

[90Q45blue]

UPDATE:

Just got off the phone with Doug from T3. He said that they have never replaced the chains on a Q when doing the guides because they never go bad, even 254k mile ones. My chains and guides were replaced at 99,986 miles so he says there's no way I need new chains or guides.

This makes me feel a little better. Hopefully, this is true. But I'm not out of the woods yet.

Nick

[90Q45blue]

Just called Dave from Major Infiniti about the timing chains and he said that they could hear the rattling so they stuck a stethoscope down there and could hear the chains rattling.

Nick :help

[PalmerWMD]

It could be something else rattling.

I am still inclined to trust T3 judgment.maybe oil chain rattling?

Many of the parts you mentioned are availabe for low cost off my old car, currently located at Repomans house except the ABS actuator which I have here.Also renting or borrowing trailer truck and riving yourself would save much $$.

When it comes to early Q's T3 is the place if you ahve alot of stuff especially if some of it is hard stuff.

Fred..

[90Q45blue]

Yeah. The only thing is that T3's labor rate is $70 an hour and they're quotes on labor times for jobs was right on with Major Infiniti's quotes. Therfore, I'd have to have 50 billable hours to break even going to T3 over Major Infiniti. I just don't know.

I'll ask about the oil chain? Is that an expensive fix like the timing chains?

Thanks for the word about your parts. What time are you free to chat tonight?

Nick

[DAEDALUS]

A rattling chain is usually indicative of a failing tensioner, low oil pressure, etc. If a chain were to stretch so much as to make the tensioner ineffective, I think it would already be broken. A good portion of the labor costs are definitely DIY. Brake pads, ABS (if you really need one), P/S hoses, P/S rack boots. The oil pressure sender...that's a really odd one, unless it's something that's leaking. But for the pain in the A that job is, .8 hours is probably worth paying them to do it.

[DAEDALUS]

The oil chain is about 1/2 the labor of replacing the timing chains. The front cover has to come off, but the valve covers don't for the oil chain, whereas the valve covers have to come off too to do the timing chains.

[PalmerWMD]

And when you do timing chains there is the timing to do afterward..

Fred..

[PalmerWMD]

Thanks for the word about your parts. What time are you free to chat tonight?

right now

Fred..

[Rex]

You can rent a Tow trailer (not dolly) from U-Haul for a decent price, probably $250 one way (KS to ATL), just need a truck, got any friends that could help?

[Q451990]

Yeah. The only thing is that T3's labor rate is $70 an hour and they're quotes on labor times for jobs was right on with Major Infiniti's quotes. Therfore, I'd have to have 50 billable hours to break even going to T3 over Major Infiniti. I just don't know.

I think you'd be better off at T3 overall. They just do a better job, know more than anyone else, and do a good job of working with you on using used parts (e.g. door handle, etc.)

Not to speak for Dennis - but I know they sometimes do a bring-your-own-parts-out-of-towner labor special, so they'll work with you on the price. I think when it's all said and done, you'll get a better deal at T3. Plus you'll get Dennis' expertise, which is worth every bit of what you'll spend on the drive. Unless you really think there's an issue with the timing chains, I'd just drive it down too.

Heath

[maxnix]

I am confused about the times quoted to replace the turbine sensor and the engine's rear seal. If it only takes 1 hour to drop the transmission to replace the turbine sensor, why does it take 9 hours to then replace the seal, rather than ten minutes? It's right there at that point.

[96QQ45]

I usually assume the dealers are just guessing on most of what they say (to their benefit) and what they are very good at is billing! This job definitely calls for a second opinion on what's needed and a trusted source to do the work. Sure, you'll have to pay to get to T3 but you'll also get better info. You can leave there with a list of things to DIY.

[elwesso]

Theres some major DIYs there....

If its not leaking oil, and your valve covers dont drip oil on the manifolds (causing smoke), then who cares..... Even a little bit of smoke is tolerable (when i say little i MEAN little)......

I am confident that I (being a minor DIYer, but not intimidated) could do all of those, minus the speed sensor... Speed sensor i wouldnt worry about if the speedo is accurate..... THe only ones i might be iffy on are the crankcase and front main seals....

[elwesso]

I also agree if you are bent on getting it done profesionally and got the cash, id say its safe to drive to atlanta.... You can time it so you drop through Lexington for the march meet!!

[Q451990]

I am confused about the times quoted to replace the turbine sensor and the engine's rear seal. If it only takes 1 hour to drop the transmission to replace the turbine sensor, why does it take 9 hours to then replace the seal, rather than ten minutes? It's right there at that point.

There are two turbine sensors - the turbine revolution sensor, and the rear output sensor. The rear can be changed with the transmission in place with little or no removal of other parts.

The transmission drop is usually quoted at about 8-9 hours. BTW, if the rear main seal isn't leaking badly, I wouldn't replace it yet. The labor for the R&R of the transmission is expensive enough that I'd almost wait for transmission failure.

Heath

[AZhitman]

Heath's right - Tehy did my rearmain seal, but it was only "seeping". Glad it didn't come outta my pocket.

Nick, that list actually isn't too bad. Lots of DIY, and like Fred said, lots of stuff can come from other cars.

p.s. Steering rack boots? Hell, replace the whole rack. A rebuilt rack can be had for the price of 2 boots and dealer installation rate. Total DIY.

[maxnix]

There are two turbine sensors - the turbine revolution sensor, and the rear output sensor.

I assumed the turbine sensor he quoted is the one required for the drop. Mine was.

But one hour is too little book time, but 9 hours is way too much.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[90Q45blue]

He said that if he had to do the rear main seal, then it would only be an extra hour to do the sensor as most of the labor of dropping everything overlaps.

Nick

[Q45tech]

We always replace the rear main seal when the transmission comes out, it is good for the owner and we don't want to hear that we should have done it when it starts leaking in a year.

T3 has a $1000 per day labor rate [plus parts] for members who drive from out of state.........I'll bet all 50 hours [billable can be done in 3.5 days because we can use 2 techs partime simultaneously on many jobs.

Finding a decent used ABS [saving $750-$1,000] will require a few days notice same with scheduling to free up [not take local customers] to get you in and out without spending exttra night in our local motels.........in on Monday ay 8am out on Wednesday night.

What happens when you let $6,000 worth of work go for years.

When you change the drive shaft and have the transmission out: new rear seal on transmission and new transmission mount.

Engine tensioners can be replaced and oil chain and guide without new engine chain guides.

[90Q45blue]

Should I pay for the dealer to take the front cover off to truly discover what is rattling?

Nick

[Q45tech]

You should pay somebody to check it visually since you are having the front main seal replaced it should only add 4 hours to pull, clean, reseal, and replace the cover.

[90Q45blue]

UPDATE:

I just got off the phone with Dave from Major Infiniti. He said to me that they know the "area" where it's coming from, but they don't know that it's the timing chains and guides for sure. This makes me think that it is not. My question is: if it is the oil chains or tensioners, what's the best way to find that out? 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?

Nick

[maxnix]

UPDATE: 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?

Nick

Do they pull the engine to do this? Seems like the radiator and condenser would be sufficient, but then you would be changing hoses and dryers and fluids too if you were prudent.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[90Q45blue]

So pulling the radiator and condenser would show you the oil chains and tensioners enough to see if they needed replacing or not?

Nick

[elwesso]

Definitely.. If nothing else they can shove their had down there with a camera and take pictures.....

25 hours is a bit steep.. Maybe you should consider taking a hiatus and taking a semester at ITT tech so you can DIY! Or WesTechInstitute...

[maxnix]

Hell, I'd enroll in a local community college Automechanics course over the summer and make it the project car. I know Snap-On offered students a 25% discount on tools to students.

Just interview the instructors very thoroughly first.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

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[elwesso]

Now you got me thinkin!!!