M30 w/ 20K miles

[EM-30]

I have had this '91 M since new. I have 3 problems.

Intermittent no crank. I hold the key all the way to start and after holding it there for 2-3 seconds it will crank at normal speed and start. It has done that every 2 years. It seems to go away after I replace the batt. Even though the old one checks good. With the old batt and headlights on I get no yellow during cranking. I read about a blue relay on driverside engine compartment in a Maxima. So it seems the starter/ign switch/relay likes to see lots of current. Some of the positive batt wires are looking a little rusty but I don't think it is the problem.

Factory temp gauge in dash shows higher than normal only in the summer w/ AC on. I will drain and flush burp the air out and see if that fixes it. I have drained and flushed it only 3 times, the last one being 2 years ago. Did not use distiled water or water wetter and used a 50/50 mix. Do the clutchfans fail at 20K mi?

The power antenna sticks. I disconnected the bluewire to the motor. FM is OK but AM sucs. It gets the FM from the winshield ant. I am too old and fat to fit into that trunk and tear out the driverside wall.

I have drained and refilled the trans 4 times. No flush and no pan drop. I used dexron II per manual. Should I use Mobil 1 on this transmission? with a flush and then a pandrop 2 weeks later? Should I bypass the rad cooler or just add a ATF cooler in series? I can't fit a big one in front of the rad as the passenger side of the rad has a e.fan in front. So I am leaning towards a series setup with a small cooler providing I have good flow thru the rad oil lines. Does that transmission have a filter or a screen? I did not see a filter or screen in the mini manual. I think I read all the posts. I don't see too many M's

NOT my mamas car but it IS my Ole Ladys car. lol

[Q45tech]

OLD cars cannot rely on low mileage because age is the factor unless you changed oil every 90 days [assumming you drive or had the engine running 65 hours in those days].

Same with other fluids they may absorb water vapor and turn acidic from just sitting there!Low annual mileage means everything else still gets changed every 2 years.Rubber hoses, seals, and suspensions harden from ambient heat and ozone exposure.

My son purchased a 1989 turbo Firebird from a museum with 500 miles it was only 7 years old..........every rubber part had to be replaced [$3800].

A 13-14 year old 20k car can be just rotten [hoses, suspension, and harnesses].

[EM-30]

Once every two or 3 weeks I take it out for a 10 mile ride to cook the oil. During the last 3 miles a few WOT's. I go real easy on it cold. I usually let it idle until the t stat starts to open. I think it likes sitting in the garage. (full shade) The paint and interior look new. I do not change oil every 90 days. I use Mobile 1 and replace the oil & filter every 6 months. Usually has about 1Kmiles.

It has original belts and hoses. (except for the upper rad) I have rotted 2 sets of tires. Brake and PS fluid is orig. Looks like I am going to have to spend some $$ on it if I am going to keep it. Sonar suspension still works. I went to a Nissan dealer to buy belts and hoses they said I needed to go to Infinity. I guess I have been lucky so far No brake, engine or transmission problems......yet.

I will turkey baster my PS fluid, flush brake lines and add a ATF cooler. My highest priority is coolant flush. The rad petcok won't open so I will pull the lower hose to drain. Better get a new hose b4 I do that.

Any other recommendations for my '91 M? I took it in for the fuel recall.

[PalmerWMD]

EM30:

welcome to our little club.Real interesting car you have there!Please take some pictures and post them to our members ride section ( link is in my sig on bottom of this post).

Looks like you are doing what you need for the upkeep on an early Infiniti-- a piece of our marques history.

Fred...

[91M30]

I have had this '91 M since new. I have drained and refilled the trans 4 times. No flush and no pan drop. I used dexron II per manual.

Hi, EM-30,

My wife's 1991 M30 with about 60K miles has a rather harsh 1-2 shift when cold, and is slow to do a 2-3 shift or to lock up into overdrive when warm; i.e., if throttle is held steady to hold RPM at 3000, it will not shift unless you back off very slightly on the throttle. Just curious.....does your M30 have similar shifting characteristics?

[EM-30]

Hi 91M30,

So far I have not ever had any shifting problems. Each time I drained the hot oil over a 2 day period. It was still dripping. I am still looking for a answer to my question of: Should I use Mobile 1 ATF on this trans? I want to do another drain and add a small cooler in series with the rad cooler and flush coolant to reduce seal damage.

Did you ever have any of my symptoms listed above?

[91M30]

Hi 91M30, Did you ever have any of my symptoms listed above?

No......only problem has been the shifting symptoms described above.