How's the Q to work as an indy mechanic?

[rosskuhns]

Hi, first time post, I've been a lurker for years though.

I've been thinking of buying a Q, my audi is approaching 250K this year and time for a new distance cruiser (I drive all over the country for work).

I'm a decent mechanic, training by grandfather, and I actually wrench on miatas part-time.

So I know the Q's are well built cars, but how are they to work on for a "home mechanic"? I mean, do they need a bunch of specialty dealer only tools and diagnostics? Are they intuitive on how to disassemble? Was it designed to be worked on, or one of those cars the techs go "ugh" when it pulls in?

I love my quattro, but man, the electrics on Audi's can be evil, drivetrains are tough but everytime I open up the factory manual, it calls for a specialty part or the VAG computer. They also don't come apart as easily as I've found other german or japanese cars...like hidden screws in panels; etc etc

How is the Q for those who have done their own work?

Cheers,

Ross

[AZhitman]

Hey Ross!

As a rule, Nissans are relatively simple.

One of our most knowledgeable "shadetree Q45 mechanics" is a goofy teenage kid named Wes, so you should be fine.

Given an FSM, a rack of standard metric tools, a multimeter and a Consult, there's not much you can't do on a Q45 in your own garage.

I'll be doing an engine swap in mine in about 3 weeks, so....

[Jesda]

With this forum and the search button, you can do any darn thing you want with the car. Its even easier than a lot of cheaper cars. Things are quite logical.

The only issue is the cost of parts.

[redmanfx]

Welcome to posting!! The Q doesn't require any special tools, but I think it's a beast to work on compared to the Chrysler's and Dodge's I dig into. That being said I work on mine allot, so if I can do it, anyone can!! I've just started ripping the whole front end of my Q off to do a major overhaul and find that time is what I need the most of and patients. Many of us do are own work, but many more have the work done and if I had the money that's more the route I would go, but being the poor bastard I am, I have to ask Wes and others stupid questions until it sinks in.

The FSM is the single most important thing you need besides NICO and some tools.

Anytime you need help with something you'll find it here.

[elwesso]

Basically like the others said, if you have a reasonable set of tools youll be fine. For the longest time I was able to do everything on the Q with a set of screwdrivers, 8-19mm 3/8in sockets, a breaker bar, and a 10mm gear wrench... I did most everything without wrenches, just recently i went and bought a full set of metric wrenches (which are beautiful i must say)...

the stuff comes apart pretty easy overall... The engine can be a pain to work on sometimes, but once you get it all apart it makes sense generally, which makes it easier to put it back together.. Very rarely are you left with a pile of parts thinking "how in the HELL am i going to put this back together"?

The Q45, especailly 90-01 Qs are probably one of the most well documented car on automotive car forums, outside of the really mainstream cars (civics, accords, 240s, etc)...

[louiegz]

The Q45, especailly 90-01 Qs are probably one of the most well documented car on automotive car forums, outside of the really mainstream cars (civics, accords, 240s, etc)...

I think even more so here because, like the Accord and Civic sites that all they care about are goofy mods and sound system info, here you get real useful maintenance info that you can use. I, for one, mostly take my car to the dealer when something goes wrong, but with the info here at NICO, I have taken on some repairs like the fuel pump and window regulator and saved some money, as apposed to going to the dealer to do these simple but time consuming repairs. I couldn’t have done this without NICO. I also have a 2003 BMW 330i and I go to E46 Fanatics or the BMW forum and plenty of info on CAI, performance chips, and body kits, but not much on the maintenance.

[ceningolmo]

Hell... I am borderline retarded and I haven't killed my Q's yet. If I can do it, certainly someone with some training should be able to do it.

[superuber]

Hell... I am borderline retarded and I haven't killed my Q's yet. If I can do it, certainly someone with some training should be able to do it.

I agree! We are just mild here at the shop..............of course we are just actors! Is this helpful?

http://community.webshots.com/user/neheadsuperuber

[FarFetched]

Quote »I'll be doing an engine swap in mine in about 3 weeks, so....[/quote]I've just finished engine swap on a F250 for a friend of mine. I took me almost a week to get that sucker in-and-out with as much help as I could get. Those 7.3 TD are about 1000LBS w/o transm and t-case. Talking about sore back and shoulders! Q45 after that is a walk in a park! Cheers!

[Jeff Williams]

Ross, welcome!

Once you start posting, beware!

The Q is very well-engineered, and thus, intuitively assembled. There are more screws and bolts in most parts, but not quite a terrible as the Germans. The Japanese were still budget concious at the time.

The engineering put into the drivetrain is quite impressive.

Definitely get the FSM. Shoot me an email, and I can burn you a copy. Print out the 900+ pages, and put each section in a separate binder, for ease of use.

Don't bother with the EXPENSIVE Consult. Most diagnostics can be done on-board. Get to be friends with the local Infiniti service writer and technicians. A $20 here and $20 there will get you free diagnostics when you are stumped.

NEVER act like you know what you are talking about on the forum. There is always somebody reading that knows much more than you do. Eventually, you will type something that isn't true, and you will be blasted for it.

Always give away your spare parts to another forum member.

Post before you do a job, then post afterwards. We like to read about others troubles and issues. More than likely, one of us had been through the same thing, or are about to embark on it.

When you are searching, search archived posts here, the Infiniti Online Mechanic forum, and in the Infiniti General forum. Read the articles and browse Q45.org

Welcome, "Save the Q"

[rosskuhns]

Thanks everyone, that makes me feel better about finding a clean one. Some cars are just so difficult to work on (3rd gen rx7, porsche 928 come to mind)

I've got a good set of tools (mac, snap-on, craftsman) which are geared towards metric.

Yeah, the Audi is great, but man, as one of my friends who owned a Porsche/Audi repair shop said, Audi stand for A**holes Usually Designed It.



Ross

[AZhitman]

LOL - Ross, you're gonna fit RIGHT in.

Jeff, BRILLIANT post (as usual).

[maxnix]

Nissan is inscrutably Japanese.

Start reading with the articles, then every post and every link in each post by Q45tech. It will take you quite a while, but you will know a hell of a lot more. Reading the FSM and TSB is the appropriate intro.

Welcome aboard.

For a highway cruiser, few cars are as good as a Q45. And they invariably are much more expensive to purchase and maintain. Soon, you will meet Joe.