More Work Completed

[slybydesignq45t]

The Good News:

So to add to the list of things done to my Q45T, I opted not to do the exhaust upgrade but instead to do a transmission fluid exchange and Oil, filter change. I was charged $144.00 for both and was allowed in the bay while this cool kid did it. It was done with kids gloves at Precision Auto on Midway drive. This place was great. They added a T3 treatment for free, and changed the Oil filter for free. Most places that do quick oil changes don't add the filter. They said for the millage of the car it was in good condition. While the car was on the lift we both spent about 25 extra minutes looking at all the hoses, bushings, rubber, bolts you name it, and it all looked clean. No leaks Thank God. I will be needing four new shocks, and the guy said KYB's are at the top of his list.

The Bad news.

My transmission fluid was a thick brown. Very sad indeed. My engine oil was awful. When I purchased the car they told me an oil change was done, but I guess it wasn't. All in all I am happy I did this instead of the exhaust upgrade. She now has fresh fluids all around. I will be having the pan dropped in 6,000 miles when I go back for another transmission flush. I am still getting a nasty tin can rattle sound from the back when I put the car in D and am waiting at the light or when in reverse. I looked under the car and the heat shields, and transmission mounts are fine. I am a little lost on this, but it is annoying when at idle, cuz it gets louder on certain days and is not present on others. I am cashed tapped now seeing all the work that has been done thus far. I expect a transmission rebuild in my future do to the condition of the oil color, but there is no slipping and acceleration is at where it should be. I think 1500 to 2000 grand investment on a new transmission or rebuild will be worth it for this car, its really nice and shines up pretty good. As old as it is, it is not present on the road much and with all the badges off of it, people ask me what kind of car it is all the time. As repairs are done I will keep posting.

[qship96]

Considering both motor oil and transmission have dipsticks, it is up to the owner to regularly pull both sticks ans examine level AND COLOR of each fluid to time fluid exchanges BEFORE the color deteriorates to brown/black.....way before.

[slybydesignq45t]

I know. I am happy in any event that I got this done. She still drives good and I intend on working her up. It turns out she has been my project car and I am happy its her and not some other car. I assume the previous owner was an older lady that never took her in for anything. The price I paid and what has been done thus far makes up for the lack of service done by previous owner. I still have other work ahead of me, but with my fingers crossed and my heart in the right place she will still be on the road for a couple of years.

[Victor]

From the wording of your post it sounds like they didn't drop and clean the transmission pan and install or clean the transmission fluid filter. and install a new pan gasket. For what you paid I think many places would have done that. Also, if you look for ads in the pennysaver or newspaper many places will change both the engine oil and filter for around $13 to $20, and some even include greasing the grease fittings if your vehicle has them and topping off fluids. Its usually part of a come on to try to get some extra work that they suddenly discover needs to be done, but just don't get it done unless you think it really needs it.

[paranoidjack]

For what you paid I think many places would have done that. Also, if you look for ads in the pennysaver or newspaper many places will change both the engine oil and filter for around $13 to $20, and some even include greasing the grease fittings if your vehicle has them and topping off fluids. Its usually part of a come on to try to get some extra work that they suddenly discover needs to be done, but just don't get it done unless you think it really needs it.

For $144 bucks? $144 bucks barely covers all the motor oil and transmission fluid, and a half hour of labor. I wouldn't expect a pan drop at that price. Not with any decent fluids at least.

[maxnix]

The Good News:

So to add to the list of things done to my Q45T, I opted not to do the exhaust upgrade but instead to do a transmission fluid exchange and Oil, filter change.

The Bad news.

My transmission fluid was a thick brown. Very sad indeed. My engine oil was awful. All in all I am happy I did this instead of the exhaust upgrade. She now has fresh fluids all around. I will be having the pan dropped in 6,000 miles when I go back for another transmission flush.

I think 1500 to 2000 grand investment on a new transmission or rebuild ...

As you discerned, the exhaust was not an upgrade but the maintenance was. Get to the pan drop and mechanical exchange with a BG Quick Clean chemical flush ASAP! Be sure to add the B&M ATF cooler when you do it.

The Nissan remaufactured transmission is the only one to consider unless you have cash coming out of the Kazoo and can afford a race shop rebuild.

[slybydesignq45t]

Paranoidjack, I have to fully agree with you one this. Most places I went to were way more expensive on both jobs being done, either by them selves or separately. I could get coupons and start having one thing done one place and another some where else, but my goal was to also build a friendship with another reputable mechanic that I can trust. These guys let me in the bay and we went over the car together. He walked me threw what he was doing and I watched. I was the one who opted for the transmission exchange, I didn't think to have the pan dropped at the time, and so they said in 6k miles come back and they will drop the pan. Some, not all places change the oil filter, some wont even change the air filter. That price includes 3 oil changes at 13.95 a piece for a group purchase. My next 2 are already paid for. They also cleaned my undercarriage from the high pressure hose leak I had several months back. Little things like that make me feel like it was worth $144 for both the transmission exchange and the oil change.

[slybydesignq45t]

Maxnix, to be honest from what I have read on this forum thus far, I am happy that I still have the original transmission. I was told a transmission rebuild for our cars can start at $1500 and go as far as $5k. In in the event something was to happen, I would do the due up to $2,000 max with an extended 3 year warranty at the least. I had a friend who did his Corvette for $2500 but he got a life time warranty so it was worth the extra money. I may not even wait till the 6K mile mark. In fact, I most likely will do it at the 1,000 mile mark since there is fresh fluid in there now.

[maxnix]

GM automatics are much more common than RE04, and when one pays for all the new parts and rebuilt solenoids, one spends much more for much less than the Nissan remanufactured one form Joe costs.

Especially if no sythetic ATF was used, good idea to repeat at 1K miles with the BG quick Clean chemical flush and pan drop filter, gasket, O-ring and one time use bolts. At least you will get the maxium life out of your transmission for the condition in which it is now.

[slybydesignq45t]

Thanks, thats exactly what I was thinking. I know I can't reverse the damage previous owner did, but I will do my best to at least keep her running as much as I can afford. I figure 1000 miles would be enough for the new fluids to get around the rings and such and make its was around the system. Another flush with pan drop and BG should help that much more.

[Kiven422]

Also, if you look for ads in the pennysaver or newspaper many places will change both the engine oil and filter for around $13 to $20

Your post ticked me off so I decided to log in and rip you one.

You see those ads for those $30 oil changes and all that in those mags/papers.

Up to 5 quarts of oil. I don't know about your 4 cylinder Q45 but mine is 8 and it takes 6.73 quarts of oil. Every oil change I have done has taken up to 6 1/2 quarts. Oil + Filter at the store is how I get an oil change for a rock bottom price of $27 incl. tax....

on top of that I get the most proper service and oil change instead of a 2 minute quick drain.

Hey man $144 is a descent price to pay because it gives you a good feeling of insurance in the chest.

The last transmission flush on my 94 was 60K miles ago. I had the opportunity to do it 45K miles ago but I go by the terminology that "if it ain't broken, don't fix it"... because I have seen many peeps GO WRONG by doing it RIGHT. Keep it right the recommended way.

Man I really want to do the transmission flush but now is not the time. I can't wait to just have it off my chest though.

But man, about the brown transmission fluid, that is CRAZY.... my friend has that in his accord and we change the fluid at least every 2-5 months.

Also, hey man I don't really know how you can consider the exhaust an upgrade item... it is just not worth that title.