I removed my hot air intake today...

[Jeff Williams]

I was out buffing Lola this morning and decided to check my air filter. The car has been sitting for about 2 hours. When I removed the filter, the STILLEN bell intake was still hot to the touch, nearly 100 degrees!

The filter has about 1500 miles on it since I cleaned it last, but it has been so dry and dusty that it needed cleaning again.

I had the original filter box, and decided to swap it out for the summer. I am doing 90% in-town driving, and the hot air is not that good for performance.

Besides, I don't need all that extra intake noise, now that I have the magnaflow system on the car .

Now it is going to be a PITA to change the oil filter!

[Q45tech]

The reason one changes the oil filter from the botton [every 90 days] is to spend time examining things from the bottom that might be on the verge of failure or leaking................due to gravity very few things leak upward.

Check security of belly pan, etc.

[66mgb]

I second that motion! FYI I looked up my Q's skirt the other day lo and behold, my steering rack boots were cracked and leaking.Looks like my baby is going to get a new rack soon.

[Jeff Williams]

I say,

"If it hasn't fallen off the car, then it must be fine - no maintenance necessary."

That's my motto!



I guess, when I jack her up, remove the tires & wheels, polish the exhaust pipes, and detail the suspension, it is a good time to change the oil. I will be there anyway.
Modified by Jeff Williams at 12:33 PM 6/24/2006

[maxnix]

Hope you didn't remove the resonator behind the bumper!
Modified by maxnix at 9:31 AM 6/24/2006

[maxnix]

I second that motion! FYI I looked up my Q's skirt the other day lo and behold, my steering rack boots were cracked and leaking.Looks like my baby is going to get a new rack soon.

No mechanical fluid exchange yet or what? Hos is its appearance? Maintenenance history?

The boots definitely need replacement, but perhaps not the rack.

[66mgb]

Changed PS fluid over to Valvoline Synthetic about 2 years ago.Hoses were leaking prior to that so I replaced those last year.When I had the chainguides done last month, I replaced the PS pump because it was getting noisy.Had car aligned on Thursday, so I checked out underneath while it was on the lift. Rack seals are shot as well as the boots. Leaking nice clear PS fluid about 2-3 oz overnight.

Didn't mean to hijack this post - Sorry Jeff

[66mgb]

I might add - I've contemplated installing a pop charger, but after all of the posts on underhood temps, I'm going to stay w/ stock for now. I kind of enjoy the stealthiness of the Q. Quiet power for now!I'm still going to uncork the exhaust w/ a 2.25" system in the near future.

[Jeff Williams]

No, it is all back to stock. And MUCH quieter now inside. i may not change the exhaust resonators now. Iwill drive her a week or so, before I make my decision.

[vicQ45]

Changed PS fluid over to Valvoline Synthetic about 2 years ago.Hoses were leaking prior to that so I replaced those last year.When I had the chainguides done last month, I replaced the PS pump because it was getting noisy.Had car aligned on Thursday, so I checked out underneath while it was on the lift. Rack seals are shot as well as the boots. Leaking nice clear PS fluid about 2-3 oz overnight.

Didn't mean to hijack this post - Sorry Jeff

its been a while since i've had my nissans, but shouldn't you have ATF in there?

[elwesso]

wait a second jeff, did you take your new exhaust off??? what am I missing?

[Rex]

Wes won't believe it, but I put the stock air box back on Da Beast today. Inititial impression is quiter in a "smooth" way. I'll take it out for some real threashing tonight and see if I can tell much difference .

I think I have 2, maybe 3 Stillen Pop Chargers for sale.

And there was 1 K&N drop in that needs cleaning/oiling (free to anyone that wants it).

[66mgb]

Not sure if it's mandatory - anyone care to comment on ATF vs Valvoline Synthetic PS fluid?

[Q45tech]

Remember ATF is just dyed RED for identification.

Assume that Nissan's statement of equivalence Dex111 means that any Dex111 can be substituted for PS. BUT not the converse in an AT.

You can adjust the actions of the PS system by adjusting the viscosity of the lubricant.................easy to find the viscosity vs temperature of all ATF at least up to 212F.....................measure the temp of PS.............both start out cold at the same temp but PS doesn't need to adjust lockup or shift pressure .............the steering force just changes a little and your arms/brain react and adjust.

Synthetic ATF has a possile higher sustained operating temperature and a more stable cold viscosity............look it up and compare vs Dex111.

Anyway oem racks and pumps last 300,000+ miles and 16+ years if you change the lubricant [frequently- annually] to remove the wear particles and acid from fluid breakdown.

[Jeff Williams]

wait a second jeff, did you take your new exhaust off??? what am I missing?

No, I just put the OEM filter box and ducts back in the car. I got tired of the underhood noise cancelling out the nice rumble from the exhaust.

[elwesso]

were you thinking about changing the exhaust resonators? Exhaust too loud?

[Jeff Williams]

It is still a little too loud at 1,500 RPM. I will be contacting Magnaflow, to see if there is a better resonator or rear muffler for my application.

It is liveable, but I would prefer not to have the resonance.

[Rex]

No, I just put the OEM filter box and ducts back in the car. I got tired of the underhood noise cancelling out the nice rumble from the exhaust.

Mine is noticeably quieter as well, but oddly enough it seems to be idling slightly higher, have you noticed any idle RPM differences? (keeping in mind the inaccuracy of the tach, I'd still say it's a touch higher)

[Jeff Williams]

Mine was idling about 800 before I changed it back.

My remote quit working now . I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

[Rex]

Mine was idling about 800 before I changed it back.

My remote quit working now . I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Might be the batteries , the brain/LAN or the operator

[TAI CHI MASTER]

Okay, you guys are making my head spin I read an older forum where it was Mobil 1 or MMO that was good for Ps fluid. I changed my power-steering fluid after one of my relations put transmission conditioners in. At first the Ps worked better then before however, it then started to lock mid-range or neutral. I had it purged and I replace the regular powersteering fluid with MMO now, its back to normal.

[Q45tech]

Who would ever use MMO in a functioning power steering system. Now I could see a tiny bit of LUCAS stop leak in a road emergency until the components were replaced...............but MMO no thanks.

The FSM has a nice section on setting the proper pinion gear preload vs a measuring of the steering wheel required turning force [9 pounds?].

Been using ATF [conventional and synthetic] for about 15 years since the 12,000 mile entire every system [ATF, brake, AC oil, oil, coolant, dif fluid replacements in 1991.................same rack, same pump --not same hoses.

[DrewQ45]

The reason one changes the oil filter from the botton [every 90 days] is to spend time examining things from the bottom that might be on the verge of failure or leaking................due to gravity very few things leak upward.

Check security of belly pan, etc.

You still have to get under the car start the drain anyway so that's when I have my looksee.