Looking for a J30? Read this first!

[elwesso]

Alright J30/M30 guys.. Id like to create something here that people looking at J30s can look through and get a basic idea on what is going on with these cars... unfortunately, im not as knowledgeable so i cant just spew this information everywhere like I can with the Q....

Besides normal information that people should know about used cars, this is what people should look for in Js...

- TIMING BELT. Timing belts should be changed at 60k on the 93-94 Js and at 100k on the 95+. All replacement belts were the updated kevlar belts and can be done at 100k intervals.- HEADLIGHT RELAYS- Often cause the headlights to not work properly- CLARION BOSE HEAD UNITS- these often fail and obviously the stereo will not work. They can be replaced with later model nissan bose head units that are less likely to fail.- STRUTS- Struts are unique to the J and are expensive to replace, roughly a $1000 job.- transmission COOLER

Lets add to this list!!!

[NismoChi]

Hope to provide a little more info here,According to my 94's owner manual, the timing belt doesn't need to be replace until 105k miles, so i guess only the 93 need the first TB at 60k miles.If you want to do maintenance or repair youself, check http://www.infinitipartsusa.com for OEM parts first, cause they seem to have good price for our J compare to other dealership.FYI, a timing belt kits for the J cost ~$320a J30 OEM Shock Kit, 2 front OEM strut cartridges and 2 rear OEM shocks cost ~$490Transmission service kit, pan gasket and filter cost around $40Tranny cooler from summit racing cost ~$60

[driverdriver]

Wes,

I'm putting together a J30 FAQ and a J30 spec post which I'm hoping to have as a "stuck" item on this board where other J gurus can add their thoughts.

If you want I can email the work in progress?

[elwesso]

Driver

That sounds fantastic, just thought I would "jump start" it..... I trust that you can do it better than I can......!!!

[vishesh]

Common problems that I have encountered:

- Transmission 'kicks' between 1st and 2nd - tach is up to 3000+ RPM before switching to 2nd- Dead display on Bose head unit (but works fine otherwise)- Rear driver-side window motor and regulator will get stuck, or fail altogether

A friend of mine has a J30 with the exact same problems as mine, even down to the location of the failing window motor, so I think that these are design flaws, not manufacturing mistakes.

[NismoChi]

Same kind of problem, but not exactly

"Transmission 'kicks' between 1st and 2nd" but it only happen for the first 15mins or when the car in the morning or when it hasn't been move for a while.but the shift at a normal RPM, ~2000.

Trouble Bose headunit, some time it won't take a CD " in the morning or when it hasn't been move for a while." same as the transmission, but when you turn on the radio for 15-20 mins and try the CD again, it work fine then.

[driverdriver]

The transmission kicks because the engine and transmission aren't at operating temperature. Warming up the car properly at first start alleviates this for the rest of the day. Its been discussed many times over the years on this board.