Just bought used q45 with problems

[ChiQ45]

Hi I am new to the club my name is craig, I'm in pitts pa. I just bought a 1993 q45 arriving tomorrow!!! I needed some suggestions on what to do...from what the dealer said the transmission does not go into overdrive and there is a small leak from the valve-cover---should i just do a JDM drivetrain switch now or get it fixed? check out the car on ebay (yes bought a ebay car) item# 2435462379 if they still have pics up. (working on a limited budget too)...and do strut bars do anything for this car and if so where can i get one?

[Jeff Williams]

Use the Search button. "Chain Guides" "1993 Q45" "JDM" This should take 5 to 10 days to read EVERY post. At the end, you will know exactly what you need.

Welcome!

[Jeff Williams]

I did a cheap strut bar, from a 00 Maxima, off of eBay. With a little modification, it fits fine. Do a search for "FSTB" and "Front Strut Bar" as well. I have some pics in one of the threads.

[AZhitman]

Craig - First of all, congratulations on your Q, and welcome to NICO!

I'd advise a few days of reading old posts, especially in the Online Mechanic forum. There is a wealth of information there.

Valve cover leak is an easy DIY fix, and there are write-ups on that process here on NICO. transmission problem may be a bigger deal, but a reman from Joe at Infiniti of Scottsdale is approx. $1800 (a rippin' deal).

As far as strut bracing, you're better off replacing all 4 struts with Tokico blues... Full set can be had for a little over $400 from Southwest Autoworks (see ad to your left). Yours are most likely shot, and the blues are more of a performace strut than the Tokico blacks (which were factory).

Tires are the #1 improvement you can make. Not many good performace tires remaining in 15" size, but a nice set of 235/60/15's can still be found (see Tire Rack for best deals). Make sure your choice has at least a 95 or higher load index.

Get her back to "as original" condition, then worry about mods. A flush and replacement of ALL fluids should be done ASAP, most members here run full-syn fluids throughout the car.

If she's mechanically good, you'll be very impressed - It's a great car!

[ChiQ45]

Thanks Jeff,I will check out the posts. I had a Maxima totalled before I got the Q---insurance ripped me off bigtime for the max---It was 92 SOHC v6 but it drove like new---I had just put in a brand new transmission less than 2 years ago,drive shaft (both sides),ball joint, strut bar, pop-charger,ecu upgrade, brembro calipers, then BAM totalled!!! they would only pay me 3 grand for it because of high miles---can you tell i'm bitter---so starting from scratch i want to build this car up eventually for now i just need to get to work and back.

[Jeff Williams]

Sounds like a good plan.

There is not much out there for modifying the Q (not like the Maxima), but the base-line car is prety fine.

Most of the mods you will find, (ECU, TCU) will do wonders. Others, (exhaust, K&N Filtercharger), actually seem to slow the car down, off the line, but make for more HP at higher RPM's (needed for those 30 to 160 MPH runs).

Getting it back to base-line might break your bank, but post here, before making any decisions, it should save you time and money. It has me.

[ChiQ45]

thanks hitman and jeff for the info i wll research and return from now and then with questions, or just to contribute my 2 cents on other stuff

[elwesso]

If the valve covers arent too bad, you can wait a little while to do those..... Mine are leaky, but just enough for a slight smell for 10 seconds after shutdown......

Ill be doing the valve covers, plenum, knock sensors, and other stuff, so Ill have a big writeup......

If your gonna get a new transmission, be sure to get an external transmission cooler......! Essential to extending its life.........

Id say, with 25-30k flushes with pan drops and filter changes, plus a cooler, a factory reman should last you 150k+...... You might also consider a level 10 rebuild, but I cant remember how much they are........

[elwesso]

BTW..... Hitman..... The blues are only 260 from SWA....... 400 if you get the eibach springs with it.....

[greg_atlanta]

I had a Maxima totalled before I got the Q---insurance ripped me off bigtime for the max---It was 92 SOHC v6 but it drove like new---I had just put in a brand new transmission less than 2 years ago,drive shaft (both sides),ball joint, strut bar, pop-charger,ecu upgrade, brembro calipers, then BAM totalled!!! they would only pay me 3 grand for it because of high miles

That's the kind of thing that scares me into buying a new car next time around.... I've spent $10K on repairs on my '92 Q over 3 1/2 years and it's worth maybe $2000 if it gets anything more than a scratch.

Sounds like the new Q needs a transmission, plan on $3-4K for that. O/D is first to go, just gets worse.

[Qdog]

After the shocks & tires get a rear (anti)sway bar from same year Q45a. The standard Q didn't come with one. Corners a lot flatter with it. <<<Chain Guides>>> Search "chain guides" so your motor doesn't self-destruct. Good luck !

[elwesso]

After I get done with my plenum job, Im gonna add a rear say bar (hopfully Ill locate one on a wrecked one, 263 at scottsdale is a little firm for me), and the maxima FSTB.......

CHAIN GUIDES ARE VERY IMPORTANT...... Your engine (assuming it has old guides) is like a time bomb... Cherish every revolution the engine makes with old guides, since it could be its last.......!

[ChiQ45]

I just did the required reading, looks like i'm getting an engine lift , stand...and maybe take a weeks vacation from work. Hopefully I don't blow my car up.

[ChiQ45]

About the mods you were talking about jeff...do you think a pop charger would do any good for the Q? I still have the one for the max---hopefully it'll fit the Q.---the dealer told me i can wait on the valve cover too he said its not bad at all (hopefully this dealer isn't BS'ing)---My dream is to go to our local junk yard and find a modified Q wrecked except all the parts I want it would make my christmas!

[Jesda]

You may be able to avoid a whole new transmission for a while... but its unlikely.

Step 1: Have an external transmission cooler installed. Parts and labor, I paid $100. There's even some out there with fans for another $60.Step 2: Do a thorough flush (not just letting the fluid out and refilling). I highly recommend Mobil 1 ATF.Step 3: Do a transmission filter change.Step 4: About 300 miles after doing steps 2 and 3, do a pan drop and remove all the crud.

There's some more detailed posts out and about regarding which order to do the flush and pan drop, and how soon to do each.

I need to repeat everyone else on this: CHAIN GUIDES.Yes, I know, I should do mine too. I have a 92 with 180k. It is said that if it goes this far, the plastic guides have already broken and the pieces are in the oil pan now, where they cant accidentally hit and throw off the chain. Im not so sure about risks like that. My chain guide job is coming soon (I promise).

If you experience rough idle, be sure to replace the spark plugs. ONLY USE NGK LASER PLATINUM! ONLY! NO EXCEPTIONS OR ELSE! The idle problem could also be related to fuel injectors. A fuel rail flush may help too.

Good luck! Here's a spreadsheet detailing all the things I've done to my Q since acquiring it in Feb 2003:http://q.spilky.com/irl.xls

I bought mine for $3800 with 169k. So far, worth every damn penny.

-Jesda

[ChiQ45]

OK so I get the car tomorrow--can't sleep now kinda excited about seeing my new hobby i mean car. First thing I'm going to check is the chain guide (anyone actually know what i'm looking for? cracks?) and then i'm bringing it to my local transmission shop (cottman's anyone have one around them?) I spoke with a tech there and they said they would do a check up for free and tell me what they see (probably dollar signs). If i do end up getting a new transmission i would like to just put a new one in i can't disect one myself but with a local mechanics help think i can just drop a new-used one in maybe? and i would need a transmission cooler like you said jesda.

[maxnix]

Boy, Chiq45, if you don't know why the new guides are better or the Cottman and Aamco stories, you have missed a ton of posts. Do read some more, or at least do some searches.

Factory remanufactured transmission is the way to go if your old one has failed. Replace the rear main seal while it is off.

[PalmerWMD]

Once the cottman guys have your transmission off and find problems , you will owe them $500 just to put it back in for you to find an alternate solution.

That means you will financially be locked in.

Give me a call this weekend at my home # (502) 968 4728, for a quick summary of your best strategy.

Fred..

[ChiQ45]

Boy, Chiq45, if you don't know why the new guides are better or the Cottman and Aamco stories, you have missed a ton of posts. Do read some more, or at least do some searches.

Factory remanufactured transmission is the way to go if your old one has failed. Replace the rear main seal while it is off.

I didn't say new guides are bad please Re-Read my post i'm asking what am i looking for in a bad guide. also i bought my last transmission with cottman---well they installed a transmission for me on my maxima labor cost me 2k i know they're high priced i had to finance 1k of the labor paid the other half in cash---i don't know what the norm is though so i had nothing to compare it to...

[ChiQ45]

Once the cottman guys have your transmission off and find problems , you will owe them $500 just to put it back in for you to find an alternate solution.

That means you will financially be locked in.

Give me a call this weekend at my home # (502) 968 4728, for a quick summary of your best strategy.

Fred..

K thanx for the help i'll call this weekend

[Rex]

ChiQ45, I think maxnix means that after reading the chain guide posts, your plan should be to either find out from VIN research at the dealer that the guides have been replaced or have them replaced. Anything else is "sitting on a time bomb" (as one poster put it). Keep in mind, late production year of the 93 model MAY have the better guides, or the previous owner may have ahd them done. The Dealer should be able to tell you as very VERY few non-dealer repairs of the guides are likely to have happened.

As for the transmission, with non-Infiniti experts it's about familiarity, and most of us would loose the farm if there's anyone at Cottman/Aamco/etc that's been inside a Q transmission.

Don't take maxnix's comments as anything other than help, he's just very straight forward.

Good luck

[Jeff Williams]

Ii bought my last transmission with cottman---well they installed a transmission for me on my maxima labor cost me 2k i know they're high priced i had to finance 1k of the labor paid the other half in cash---i don't know what the norm is though so i had nothing to compare it to...

I had my entire transmission rebuilt in my '94Q, for $2,000.00 which included removal, parts, labor, and install. I only got a 12,000 mile warranty, but I now have 64,000 miles on the car, and it is running fine (knock on wooden head).

The Q transmission is a lot easier to remove & replace, than the Maxima.

I suggest spending the cash on a Level 10 transmission or one from Joe & DIY.

[ChiQ45]

ChiQ45, I think maxnix means that after reading the chain guide posts, your plan should be to either find out from VIN research at the dealer that the guides have been replaced or have them replaced. Anything else is "sitting on a time bomb" (as one poster put it). Keep in mind, late production year of the 93 model MAY have the better guides, or the previous owner may have ahd them done. The Dealer should be able to tell you as very VERY few non-dealer repairs of the guides are likely to have happened.

As for the transmission, with non-Infiniti experts it's about familiarity, and most of us would loose the farm if there's anyone at Cottman/Aamco/etc that's been inside a Q transmission.

Don't take maxnix's comments as anything other than help, he's just very straight forward.

Good luck

I'm not upset---I just thought he misunderstood me i never seen a beat up chain guide I just needed clarification on what i'm looking for and i'm going to DIY on this issue---plus he posted at like 2 am by then i wouldn't even be able to keep my eye's open so more power to him...maybe the chain i'm looking at has been changed ho would i tell...i'm more of a i want to understand kinda person--spell it out

[maxnix]

I'm not upset---I just thought he misunderstood me i never seen a beat up chain guide I just needed clarification on what i'm looking for and i'm going to DIY on this issue---plus he posted at like 2 am by then i wouldn't even be able to keep my eye's open so more power to him...maybe the chain i'm looking at has been changed ho would i tell

ChiQ45, if you had read the posts, you would know the new guides have a metal backing, while the old ones didn't. Timing chains are seldom ever replaced, except by dealers.

...i'm more of a i want to understand kinda person--spell it out

Which is code for "I don't want to do the research. I just want to be spoon fed when I want to know. " Don't BS the board.

Does that spell it out for you?__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[ChiQ45]

Don't take maxnix's comments as anything other than help, he's just very straight forward.

I'll just take your comments as help maxnix---this forum is for help right whats so wrong about asking people for help---what if you don't have time to read every post in this forum??? and you ask for help---are you the type that stops at a gas station for directions maxnix?

[ChiQ45]

puhleese maxnixhelp a person with questions,who's at work, who's not really well informed, i'm a pharmacy tech not a car tech but i like playing with cars like i said before its a hobby----and i've been told by others this forum has alot of helpful people

[PalmerWMD]

Ok fellas, knock it off....

My delete finger is starting to itch, looking at the 3 preceding posts.

Fred..

[ChiQ45]

Sorry nuff said---thanks for all your help even maxnix thanx for your help

[maxnix]

Reading previous posts is invaluable if you really want to learn how to maintain your car. Yes, it takes time, but that is what learning requires. The board respects questions from someone who has invested this time and asks questions which have not been covered before. If every time a new member comes along, and all the posts have to be repeated, the information here becomes redundant and less useful by dilution.

Have you read the Infinti articles? They will give you a good grounding in less time, but are not complete in all the nuances and reasons for arriving at the solutions.

All comments are for your benefit and offered in a helping manner.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t & 2000 Q45

Discover the power of the button!

[elwesso]

Must you be so blunt???

If your into performance mods, Id go with the level 10...... Fred, how much do those cost again (next time I see you Im gonna have a list or Questions ready)...... My transmission is origional, with maybe 1 or 2 flushes under its belt, 123k, no cooler...... Id say its probably close to being done, but im gonnna add a cooler when I do my major job over christmas!!!!