Intro & Question

[eQlipse]

Let me begin with a brief introduction. My love for the Q begin in '96 after purchasing a '90 Q45. My wife at the time & I were actually looking for a Lexus. Thank goodness we didn't make that mistake. Needless to say, the car went in the divorce. I didn't sleep well until I found another one. Bought a '97 Q45t last year. I've been reading this board for awhile and finally registered. I've acquired some good info.

My first question is: On the old board home page there was an option to become a member of NICO. Am I missing something on the new board? I'm interested in becoming a member!

Second question:I may be getting the '90 back sometime in the near future(May involve getting the ex-wife with the package). So I've been monitoring the maintenance on the car (yes, it's possible to remain friends with an ex). Anyway, the car has been overheating. She attempted to replace the radiator cap but noticed something seemed to be missing. I don't know the name of the part but I'm assuming it's the filler neck. The part runs from the top radiator hose into what appears to be the top end of the engine. Difficult to tell without removing some plastic covers & I didn't have any tools with me. Can anyone tell me the proper part name & what this part may cost? I'm sure I'll get many responses as you all seem to be knowledgable about your cars. Particularly the first gen Q.

[PalmerWMD]

1) Thank goodness we didn't make that mistake

2)My first question is: On the old board home page there was an option to become a member of NICO. Am I missing something on the new board? I'm interested in becoming a member!

3) Anyway, the car has been overheating. She attempted to replace the radiator cap but noticed something seemed to be missing. I don't know the name of the part but I'm assuming it's the filler neck. The part runs from the top radiator hose into what appears to be the top end of the engine. Difficult to tell without removing some plastic covers & I didn't have any tools with me. Can anyone tell me the proper part name & what this part may cost.

1) Hehe

2) We are slowely switching to a program wher the money you pay is flexible .As a result we took down the link that asked for $35 a year, which was frankly to high for some of our hishcool members.And on the other hand our well heeled professionl members , some of whom we just saved several thousand dollars, might be willing to throw $300 into the pot.Soon we will probably have a donation page and link.this si still in teh discussion phase among us Admins and the site owner.We are all real eager to receive some money as the site owners has paid 10's of thousands of dollars in the last few years to kep htis site running and it would be nice to offset some of the monthly running costs.

Jusging from some posts many folks are more than willing to contribute.

3)Post a copy on this in our online mechanic section Be SURE to impress on her the fact that an all aluminum engine is easily ruined by overheats and that a repair can easily top $7000 if a significant over heat is allowed to occur.

Also we need more details better yet a picture.The location u described as a filler neck but I cannot imagine how it could be missing and the engine be operable at atll for any amount of time.

Coolant low?how long it takes for over heat coinditon to occur.Coolant under the plenum?Etc etc.Water pump original?need mor detail..

Fred...

[eQlipse]

Thank!

I'll watch for the info on membership.

I'll try to get a picture posted about the problem. The car has been parked for about a month and a half now. I did notice when I checked was that the coolant reservoir was about 3/4 full. I'm not sure if this is because it's been sitting. Apparantly the car was smoking and the temp gauge read hot. The water pump is probably original because we bought it at 59,000 miles. 60,000 mile service had been done. It now has 132,000. She also stated the check engine light came on & there was some vibration. After adding coolant previously these problems ceased. However, they've come back. I did notice some coolant on the fan shroud.

[maxnix]

Well, if you get the package deal, I hope the ex has been better maintained.

[PalmerWMD]

Well I generally dont like to be one of the doomsayers too often some peopel just see the worst possibility, and I REALLY REALLY hope the below does not apply but:

I am very sorry to tell you that some major damage may have already occurred.Is sounds like as a minimum your knock sensors have been fried, that doesnt cost the world, however this may presage severe engine damage due to what sounds like a signicant over heat to me.

An engine that is overheated long enough to show running vibration from that should get a compression check as a minimum before you decide to put any money into fixing it.

replacing engines is often an $$ multimonth ordeal, but as luck would have it at least one member has a very good Q engine for sale right now and another one just totaled his car, and it contains also a known good+ strong engine, which may be on the market soon.That person is even close to your location (he is in KY).

But its best you repost this information in our infinti onlione mechanic board.just be ready to accept some scolding from our Gurus on possisbly a ruined engine (of course an engeine that overheats and is driven by a fem is often doomed since women rarely shut them off in time to save the engine)

Some engines with severe overheat on this club have been saved with minimal (ie less than 1k) expense though.:thumbup

Worst case:Cost of engine replacement at dealer w/ quality used :8kCost fo engine replacment at T3 Atlanta :6.5k (includeds lots of replacing of parts that will keep usedengine running well in future)

The installation runs retail 3k (complicated) but with luck you can get it for 2 k plus cost of used engine, used engines run between 2kand 4k depedning on source and quality.

Fred...

[eQlipse]

I was afraid something like this would happen when I let the car go. I'll probably end up taking it to a dealer (Nissan-closest to where I live) and have it checked out. Hopefully it won't be as major as it seems. If so, it'll park until I can get to it. I have no problem putting the money into it (its a beautiful car), it'll just have to wait.

Fred:I did re-post on the online mechanics board but no response yet.

Brian:The ex is very well maintained.

[AZhitman]

Where do we donate to eQlipse's "Emergency Custody of the Q" fund?:D

eQlipse, welcome to the board. We're glad to have you.

I could be wrong, but I think you're only the 2nd member to own both a 1st and a 2nd-gen Q... Dees is the other.