Inspection Sticker HELL

[msgoodygal]

Hi... I recently moved out of state in October, had just gotten an inspection sticker on my 1994 Q45 in September. I finally got around to bringing it in for inspection, and went to a VIP auto parts place. They told me I needed some bushings and tie rods. I thought it would be odd that all of that went since my previous inspection. I took it to a FORD dealership for another opinion. They found repairs needed for rack & pinion, power steering pump and hoses, and some other small things (fog light, wiper blades etc). Parts alone quoted from Infiniti were over 2800.00. Funny, they didn't locate the bushings/tie rod problems the first place did.

So, I take it to a 3rd place, an independent mechanic. Passed right away.

I did leave it there because I've been hearing a whirring/whining sound coming from the front. It almost sounds like a power steering whining sound, but I have no loss of fluid, nor is there any issue with assist - steering is as easy as when it was a new car.

This mechanic has now referred me to my Infiniti dealer, because although he knows what is happening, he doesn't want to incorrectly diagnose the problem. He says that there is air in the power steering fluid causing it to foam up and create that noise.

So, I'm asking those of you who might be able to help me out with this, and give me some idea as far as what I'm looking at for a repair? Would this be a pump replacement needed? Hoses too? Hoses alone were quoted at over $600.00 by the 2nd place that I had it to for inspection. How should I proceed?

[rsiwicki]

contact Joe @ Everything Infiniti

http://www.everythinginfiniti.com/

they are a Nissan/Infiniti Dealer that sells parts to the public at a huge discount and all parts are OEM equipment (tell them you are from NICO for the discount). They will hook you up with the parts you need and depending on your local Infiniti Dealer you can have them install the parts just as if you had brought the car in for service and still get the 12/12 Infiniti warranty. Others will comment on maybe a good mechanic for you, but there are not many oustide of a dealership and even dealerships are scary.

[Q451990]

Have someone show you the leak. If it's a high pressure line it will be very evident after being cleaned off. When the car is running and the wheel is pushed to either the left or right limit (creating lots of pressure in the hoses) you'll see it. Otherwise you're looking at low pressure lines to and from the resivoir. They should also be cleaned with brake parts cleaner and then reinspected in a day or so to find the leak. When you look at the fluid in the resivoir do you see lots of air bubbles?

Your whirring noise could also be a bad idler pulley for one of the three belts. They will whine just like a bad P/S pump.

Heath

[maxnix]

Near Mantua, NJ? Look up Keith Vanmeter. You really don't want to an inexperienced technician experimanting on your car, nor do you want to pay for a Boston dealer with those high overhead driven labor rates. Nor do you want to replace the whole steering rack, which you will have to do if it is not addressed post haste.

You didn't tell us much about your car's maintenance history, but don't be surprised if you need upper links, tie rod ends, or tension rod inserts. Probably even more unless you have been very proactive in your maintenance regime.

Try some searches on rack and steering in the post body, both current and archived posts.

And welcome to our little group.

[Q451990]

I think it's quite a drive to NJ from Boston... Didn't Sopdadope live in Boston? Maybe he knows of a good place there?

zer...d=203

[3rd Q]

The PS noise may only be the idler pulley. Check that first. PS pumps don't fail often.

BTW- sent you an email. I have an extra PS pump- if you do end up needing one .Paul

[msgoodygal]

Thanks... I'll be in touch should I need it. I contacted the mechanic today, and asked about my belts. He said all three need replacing. I told him to check the idler pulley.. (I think he was a little impressed that I would suggest it, thanks guys!!!).... I'm hoping that is what it is. Any idea what the pulley will cost? Or the belts for that matter?

In the worst case scenario, if it's not the pulley, does anyone have any clue about the air in my fluid?

these aren't things I can check myself, or have any real knowledge of, so keep that in mind when you respond

Thanks to everyone who is spending a minute to try and help me out!

I love my Q, and she's getting old. Where I've moved to, they have no idea what an Infiniti is - none of the places I've brought her have ever worked on one, so it seems that I'll be needing to give the mechanics up here in Maine some instruction based on what I read here... Thanks again

[DAEDALUS]

All 3 idlers are around $100 from one of our wholesale sponsors, not sure how the cost breaks down for each. It'll probably cost more through your shop unless they use a non-factory part, which we rarely recommend.

Air in the ps fluid almost certainly has to be entering from somewhere between the reservoir and the pump--the only place where the fluid is being sucked, and not pumped. Could just be a bad hose/clamp, or it could be a seal on the pump itself. I'd bet even odds on the hose/clamp.

[msgoodygal]

Okay... This mechanic is giving me the run-around. He didn't want to do the power steering issue, saying he knew it was taking in air, but didn't want to diagnosis it further, that I should take it to infiniti.

I had him check the belts and asked him to check the pulleys.. I also asked him to check the tie rod ends and the bushings.. I had to remind him every day to do these things. Every day, he'd do one more thing on my list. He got my car on Monday, here it is Friday, and he just now says I need tie rods (inner), and a control arm.

He called me at work today, and said it would be 800$ for the tie rods and control arm, and that he had to go to Infiniti for the parts, but he didn't want to do the job. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't just order the parts from Napa if they were available, and do the tie rods AT LEAST. I have no problem getting the work done, but I can't understand his reluctance to do any of the work????

He was willing to do the belts though. Says I don't need any pulleys. I'm thinking I'm gonna take up car repairs as a hobby. UGH!!!!

My question is: can the tie rods or control arm needing replacing make any of the noises like I described above?

Thanks guys (and girls if you are out there)...

Linda

[Q451990]

Tie rods or control arm (tension rods? - not sure about his terminology) wouldn't cause your whirring noise. Only slop and possibly noise in the suspension that you'd notice going over bumps or during breaking from the tension rods. Tie rods should show up as excessive play in your steering...

I wouldn't spend another minute encouraging this guy to work on your Q - if he's saying he doesn't want to work on it he's probably intimidated. You don't want him to screw something up and then day "I told you I didn't... "

Your best bet is to look for a local Nissan Z specialist in the phone book - or bite the bullet and go to the dealer. You might also look for any shop that specializes in imports and ask if they have an Infiniti Certifed Tech. on staff. Surely there's something in your area! I've seen several people on the board (one in Greenville SC particularly) bounce around from independent to independent only to have parts thrown at a problem - spending waaaaay more than a trip to the dealer would have cost starting out.

Of course if you're inclinded to go DIY we're here to help - but I would only recommend it to someone that has some basic mechanical experience.

Heath

[maxnix]

I am suggesting to you that Keith Vanmeter is probably a nice Spring drive away, and the rates will be lower and competence will be much higher than you are now experiencing.

You are better parking the car than getting parts from NAPA or any national chain autparts store. You are not driving a Chevy! Tha is why we have Joe. (Genuflects before the Infiniti Omicron).

Please do some reading here so your can learn how to treat your pride and joy.