Hi...New member here.

[Need4Speed]

Great site...lots of info. I'm interested in getting a used Q, but I had a few questions for you guys.

I have read here that yearly maint. is pricey for a Q...like $2k-3K a year. Is that parts costs only or parts and labor?

I prefer to do ALL of my own work as I have been burnt too many times by someone who calls themselves a "mechanic". It is really unnerving when you know more than the mechanic. So, is this a car that an experienced shadetree mechanic can work on?

I have found a 93 Q45 locally.....172k miles, standard susp., body is in great shape. I have not driven it yet, but I will soon. The owner wants $5k or best offer.....however it's not in a good selling location and has been sitting (unmoved) for about 4-5 mos. I am sure I could have this vehicle for $2k to $3k tops (if it runs).

Thanks,

Andy

[Woodmister]

I also have a 93, they are one of the rarest Qs today, but the high miles is going to suggest that it will probally need somthing. You could talk the seller down since you can get a 91-92 Q with around 100,000 miles for that 5k.

[Need4Speed]

Thanks for the reply.

When did the chain guides get switched to the new type? I thought I read sometime in 93?

Andy

[greg_atlanta]

Chain guides changed sometime during the '93 model year but there's no logic to it, no magic cutoff date. Look at the build date on the doorwell sticker. If it was built during '93 it may have the new guides, if built during '92 maybe not?!?

Only way to know for sure is to pull of front cover, which is a good idea anyways at that mileage.

If it's at 172K and still running I'm guessing it has the new guides? But again, just guessing.

[AZhitman]

Sounds high ($$$) for a Q on it's last 50K miles of life...

If you can get it for $2K it might be worth it (especially since there's a really low mileage engine for sale on the Buy/Sell board).

[Need4Speed]

I havn't picked up a manual yet....so how much of a job is it to pull the front cover for a guide check?

From pictures of a Q engine bay, the air plenum makes it look as if the enging sets transversely in there...like a front wheel drive car. I know Q's are rear drive, so what gives?

Edit: Only 50k miles left...????

I have to believe if it has not been abused that it will have more than that left.

Thanks,

Andy

[AZhitman]

Nope - It sits just like the old Detroit V8's. The plenum is just weird-looking. The shape is confusing you.

[AZhitman]

If it's been maintained IMMACULATELY it'll be good to 250 or so... Without complete records there's no way of knowing.

Either way it's an awesome car. I just think you could do better for $5K.

[Need4Speed]

Ohhhhh.....I won't pay $5k I'm thinking $2,500 tops! Especially it he can't prove maint. items.

Know-what-I-mean.

Andy

[maxnix]

Quote »Know-what-I-mean.[/quote] Nope. $2500 tops only if he can prove all maintenance and the guides have been replaced according to a document.

[AZhitman]

Without IMPECCABLE maintenance having been done, you're really looking at a money pit. Don't get us wrong, we'd love to have you come on board and join our ranks, but several of us have learned the hard way...

Even at $2500, and EVEN if it has new guides, you're still looking at $3-5K more for a new engine/trans before too long, and suspension goodies alone can set you back another couple G's. And if she's a Michigan car, she'll have rust - no question about it. My gal was bought new in NJ and spent only 2 winters there - and her underside SHOWS IT!!! You might be better off spending $5-6K on one of the "lower mileage" Q's (there are a few for sale here!) She's a sensitive and expensive lady - but fun if you find the right one!!!

[DAEDALUS]

Ouch, Maxnix you drive a hard bargain. I bought my '90 with about the same # of miles. I didn't know my way around an engine bay either then, but the car has been a good teacher. If you have the tools and you've worked on cars before, you won't have any problems working on it, though it's a lot different than the GM motors I've worked on. More complex, but better engineered. Everything in my Firebird's engine bay seems like an afterthought. Anyway, 50k more is a conservative number, IMO, as long as it's in decent shape, and if the guides have been done. If you do the guides yourself plan on 11-16 hours. The fastest time I've heard of on these boards, done at T3 by a very experienced tech, was around 8 hours, I think.

[PalmerWMD]

fastest time I've heard of on these boards, done at T3 by a very experienced tech, was around 8 hours, I think.

Byron can do it in less....:ylsuper .

About the guides:The offical switch over date appears to have been 7/92 for production Q's according to one good source.

BUT we know of several 93's built after this date with the old style guides (w/ occasionally disastrous results).What gives?It's clear that existing stocks of guides were used until exhausted, at least in one engine assembly locations for VH45DE's (I understand there may have been 2 locations)

As a result one should always check even if its a 93.when I buy a used Q (not an uncommon occurence I might add), my very first drive other than straight home is genrally straight to a tech who will change the guides for me.

I dont like driving them otherwise.

I suppose if one had a 93 made in the last few weeks of production for that model year (late spring/early summer 93 production dates) there might be a reasonable expectation they have the new guides.Even so i would still check them, but with such a car I would be willing to wait a couple of weeks rather than only a couple of days.Regardless I would still have them checked.

Fred...

[maxnix]

Quote »you're still looking at $3-5K more for a new engine/trans before too long[/quote]

That's because I overpaid for my low mileage ones. At that mileage, I think AZhitman is optimistic, as the suspension, fluid replacement, not to mention guides could eat that up easily.

Better go lower miles with a southern car that hasn't seen salt, in my opinion.

Do a search on "$" and you are sure to find snippets by Q45tech on how to evaluate older, high-mileage luxury cars.

[Need4Speed]

Excellent info guys! Thanks.

I believe this car came from S. Ohio......I'm still gathering info so I'll keep you posted.

It has been sitting awhile so I know he's motivated....

What's a good price if he CAN'T prove maint. issues?

[maxnix]

Quote »What's a good price if he CAN'T prove maint. issues?[/quote] Read the previous posts. I would guess you have a minimum of $5K to get it near new, maybe $10K. Do you feel lucky?

Look at the body for any sign of corrosion. That is much more expensive to repair. Perhaps it was never driven in winter. If so, will you start now?

Then have it inspected by a competent Infiniti mechanic who was trained prior to introduction inspect it for a couple of hours to ascertain its condition. There are few of these around.

If guides have not been replaced, who is going to do it and at what price, and when? It would be a shame to be stranded with a broken engine on the way home, no?

BTW, these cars are not famous for ice racing, as a few members can attest from personal experience.

[Need4Speed]

No winter time use, strictly summer. I have a Jeep Wagoneer (full size) for winter time driving.

I am planning on doing the guides myself....I am confident I can do it. I won't be speedy.....but that is not a concern. The one thing about doing the work yourself, you ALWAYS know it was done correctly.

There is a former Infiniti tech at a local independant garage....have heard he's good. I plan on him checking it out BEFORE I buy.

I need to get the vin # to find past info....I'm working on that as we "speak".

So $5k repair + $1.5k purchase = $7.5k for a NICE luxo sports sedan. Heck, even if it was $10k total, still = GOOD DEAL!

Thanks,

Andy

[DAEDALUS]

Beyond the up-front, expect to pay $2-300/mo average on parts alone, which is still much cheaper than payments for a decent car. In reality the $5k would cover a lot of parts, but you have to assume the worst. Failed transmission is a big hitter and can run $3k for a good reman. I assume $2-300/mo, so there's enough cushion for any small emergencies. The guide parts will cost nearly $500 for a kit at scottsdale:http://www.infinitipartsusa.comThe kit includes the timing chains, though, which makes for a much bigger job to do, since you then have to remove the valve covers. So if your valve covers aren't leaking, consider saving some money and get the kit minus the chains. If the covers are leaking (not unlikely), or if you want to do the chains anyway, then you might be up for quite a big job, which could include plenum removal in addition to the covers. Less labor overall to do them all at once vs separately, but I can't even fathom how many part-time weekends that would take me to do it all. Good luck.

[landtodd]

Sure, you may spend more than the car's worth, but particularly since you're doing it yourself, you would be hard pressed to find anything as good as an older Q45 for what money you'll put into it.

I've done a couple of big jobs on mine, incluing chain-guides and under-plenum hoses, and so far, I've only spent about $1500 on parts in two years.

As for the chain guides, you have to remove the whole center-front cover to check them. There are no short cuts. The "inspection port" you'll find on the passenger's side is completely, utterly useless. The back of the big curved guide is all you can see, and those have been metal-backed since Day One. If you've gone so far as to remove the front cover, you may as well replace the guides, new or old, as a matter of course. Also replace the oil pump chain and sproket (hard working parts). Dennis advises replacing the oil pump if the car shows over 150,000 miles. Always replace the front oil seal any time the front cover is off. The harmonic balancer must be reinstalled with 275 ft-lb, or the oil pump may not work.

I agree with Dennis that oil change habits are the most important determining factor in the expected life of an older Q. Look in the oil fill. Lots of varnish? Maybe this isn't the one. Clean, with paperwork showing oil changes every 90 days or 3000 miles? Hmmm . . . maybe this is the one.

[landtodd]

I prefer to do ALL of my own work as I have been burnt too many times by someone who calls themselves a "mechanic". It is really unnerving when you know more than the mechanic. So, is this a car that an experienced shadetree mechanic can work on?

The guys here have heard my story about trying to find someone to do the chain guides when I first got my car. The service advisor at the best regarded Japanese-only garage in town says to me "Q45, huh? Is that a 4 or a 6?"

That was the day I decided I was on my own.

I wanted to drive the car to T3 in Atlanta for the chain guides, but I was too cautious to drive that far. The car was making a new noise at the front of the motor, so I parked it until I could get to it.

Do-it-yourself can make an older Q affordable and reliable to us mere mortals. It can be a money pit for people who hire things done. T3 is the only shop I would go to, but so far, I've done all my own work.

[Need4Speed]

Regarding the inspection port..... Do you think there is enough room for a "boroscope" to get in there for a look-see? I have access to one for free.

Would I be able to tell if the chain guides are new this way?

BTW, the boroscope can even take video, so I could have someone else look at it too.

Thanks,

Andy

[Need4Speed]

Do-it-yourself can make an older Q affordable and reliable to us mere mortals. It can be a money pit for people who hire things done.

My thoughts exactlly!

Andy

[DAEDALUS]

Ah...borescope. That one has been pondered, but no one has tried it that I know of. Here's a good discussion on that:http://www.nissaninfiniticlub....+blue

I like the non-blue RTV indicator, but it isn't 100% guaranteed.

[Need4Speed]

DAEDALUS......Thanks for the link and the correct spelling of "borescope".

Andy