Keeping my 94 Q45t on the road

[aces805]

Just got off phone with my Sr. Infiniti Tech buddy. He quoted $600 to do the following:

1. Replace fuel pump and "sender", as he calls it. He says the "sender" must be replaced along with teh fuel pump.

2. Remove/replace transmission fluid.

3. Differential service.

4. Replace thermostat.

Along with these specific items, he says he will inspect the car for other things. He has already recommended that I replace the fan blade and steering rack boots.

IMHO, this is money well spent. Here's why I say that. I have a car payment of $510 per month for my 09 Nissan Murano. So when I spend $500 here and there on teh Q services I actually feel good about it because I love teh Q! For me, the cost to keep it road-worthy is definitely worth it. I bought teh car in May of 2008 and have spent $1400 in maintenance to this point. So, instead of buying this Q, I could have gotten another auto loan for $500 per month. I would have made 17 payments by now. 17 x $500 = $8500.

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying teh Q is a vehicle that has a low cost of ownership. But it's a good value for me.

[Infinitiguy19]

Just got off phone with my Sr. Infiniti Tech buddy. He quoted $600 to do the following:

1. Replace fuel pump and "sender", as he calls it. He says the "sender" must be replaced along with teh fuel pump.

Does the dealer plan on breaking the fuel pump sending unit, or does he mean the Fuel Pump Controller?

2. Remove/replace transmission fluid.

Don't get Qship started on this one.

3. Differential service.

So easy a cave man can do it, Seriously.

4. Replace thermostat.

This is not too bad but I would say its the second hardest thing to on your list.

$600 to do the above is a little below what I would think a dealer would charge. I say that because I am used to paying twice MSRP for parts. But its either that or order form Infiniti Of Scottsdale or travel 100 miles away (round trip).

Better off doing some of the stuff yourself because of all the documentation and helpful people on NICO, Or if money is no object....

[maxnix]

What does he say about the fuel pickup sock? How about the O ring? The fuel filter?

[Q45tech]

The pickup sock and hose comes with new oem fuel pump.

$1400 in almost 2 years is about 1/3 rd of normal.

I've spent ~$46,000 in past 20 years on repairs and mainteances plus $686 so far in the first 3 months of year 21...................and have budgeted like amounts in the next 3 quarters.

Still $275 per month including insurance and tax/tag is a good deal for me!

After 20.3 years of ownership I can project specific failures 2 years out.

Everyone has different standards for maintainence and how close to new one wants to adhere.

[aces805]

The pickup sock and hose comes with new oem fuel pump.$1400 in almost 2 years is about 1/3 rd of normal.

I've spent ~$46,000 in past 20 years on repairs and mainteances plus $686 so far in the first 3 months of year 21...................and have budgeted like amounts in the next 3 quarters.

Still $275 per month including insurance and tax/tag is a good deal for me!

After 20.3 years of ownership I can project specific failures 2 years out.

Everyone has different standards for maintainence and how close to new one wants to adhere.

To some on this board, I envy your knowledge and resources. The apartment that I rent does not allow tenants to work on their cars. Even if it did, to be honest, I likely would still pay my Sr. Tech buddy perform the work.

I believe in knowledgable professionals. The trades. I use a CPA for taxes, I take my work shirts and pants to the cleaners, etc...Am I capable of doing more things on my own? Yes, and there are many things that I do myself, but on a lot of things I'd rather have someone with a great track record do things for me.

[Infinitiguy19]

I understand what your saying but the reason for me recommending you do your own work is to save you some hassle and money.

My father had a friend that he trusted to work on his vehicles for 10 YEARS! a year ago that same friend told him it would cost $400 all set and done to replace a part on his vehicle. When it was all set and done it cost my father $700 and that was with my father supplying the parts. My father paid the price and forgot he ever knew him...Point is trust know one but shops that stay in business for 30+ years with trained techs, or T3 for the Q45's case.

My parents want me to take my car to have others work on it despite the above...I have to sneak to my friends house to even open the hood because of my parents and neighbors (My neighbors think your crazy if the water from the hose hits the car.)

But I also have to be honest. Before Mike (Goody90Q45) came along I barely trusted myself to open the hood of my Q never mind change the throttle body.

So for $600 I say go for it but don't have them replace the sending unit because the only thing that can go bad on it is:

The float if removed improperly

The low fuel sensor doesn't work on my current 1993 Q45 or my previous 1991 Q45. And to my other Niconaughts I only tried that only ONCE to confirm everything works on the car.

[aces805]

Paul, you make some good points. Anytime one works with a mechanic "on the side" there is certainly risk involved.

However, I am willing to risk my Q being in the hands of an Infiniti Sr. Tech that has performed work on my Q before, explained what he did in detail, and showed and gave me the old parts. He also gives me his Nissan Quest to drive around while he has my Q. Long story short, I trust him.

And I do appreciate your points as well.

[Q451990]

Sounds like you have a good thing going with your tech!

Heath

[aces805]

Yes I'm lucky to have my tech. I believe that although I was the one that found him and reached out to him, it is because of this board that I did. The value of having access to an Infiniti Sr. Tech for an owner like me is immeasurable. So a lot of credit has to be given to this board for that. It is a great resource. I have learned so much just by simply reading posts here. I scrubbed clean the metal thing behind teh glove box to make my AC smell nice, which I learned from here. Also, the fact of not letting anyone touch my Q unless they know wtf they're doing is huge! If I had the workspace and proper tools there is more than enough info on this board to execute repairs/replacements correctly.

I recommend to any Q buyer to simply read posts on this board. You'll be glad you did!