motor change

[jmorasch]

Ive a 91 q45t I bought from a guy for 350$ 120 000miles on it. everything works but the timing trauma had struck when he went out to start it one morning....the car sat in his garage for two years before reality struck that hed have to part with it. it has a body kit on it,and looks to be well taken care of. Id like to know what year of motor I can change with,wanting a newer engine. without any other mods needed does anyone know????? I was told when the chain breaks the motor is toast....is this true. this is my second Q. they are awesome rides. I absolutely love this Forum its so useful and informative. Thanks to everyone for their input and for sharing their projects, dilemmas, and findings.

[cabal1024]

If the timing chain breaks, the engine is dead as fried chicken. If it is a '94 it should have the metal guides in it, so you will not have to worry too much about that happening to you. Inspect it. Chain guide failure happens on 90-93's because they have plastic guides which crack and break.

[carfrk666]

once the motor breaks its not toast, theres a couple of us from nico running rebuilt engines, including me, first thing i would do when u get a new motor is replace the timing guides and do an extencive service on it, plugs filters all the goodies, with a 91 u can go up to a 93 i belive and it being the same engine, im not sure abotu the 94-96 series, you can rebuild these motors tho, i spent 3 grand rebuilding mine, including all new parts after i blew my timing. i guess you can say its fried, but that just depends on how much you love your Q and are willing to do for it, i hope i helped

[maxnix]

Compression check will reveal much.

[jmorasch]

If I do the check and Ive got eQual compression on all 8....then what would be my next steps???

[bullittandy]

find a take out motor and swap it in. There are some service items to take car of when you replace the engine but if the car is decent then you'll have a nice running car for $2500 or so.

[Q451990]

To answer your original question - engines from any 90-93 Q will fit without modification. 94+ have different sensor connections.

The damage done during a guide failure can be minor, all the way to catastrophic. In my case, I had one slightly bent valve, with no piston or head damage. They replaced the valves on that one cylinder and I drove the car for another 80K with no issues until she was totaled.

Heath

[jmorasch]

since the motor wasnt started,but attempting to. what are the odds there was no valve damage???? I know this is wishFULL thinking but Im not to familiar with this engine.

[bullittandy]

Seems like there's a chance that little damage would be done since the car was only cranked, not started.

I don't know the prices for replacing valves, versus heads versus engines but since an engine is only about $1000, it seems like the best bet.

[elwesso]

Personally what I would do is go ahead and get the guides fixed, youll need to probably retime the motor (not a huge issue) and then see how it cranks and how compression does. Certainly cranking is a lot less stressful than running the motor.

I would try and resurrect this one before throwing it out.

[koolaidandQ45's]

I bought a 1993 Q45 for 300.00. I wound up buying a JDM motor shipped to to me for about 1200.00 found some one to install for around 700.00. I replaced the tcg myself with used parts I paid 250.00 for them. I spent a lot of time and worry thinking that I could repair the motor that had jumped time and it was all for not. It could have been repaired but not economically.Like yours this car stalled at a red light but the guides had disintegrated and got stuck in the chain. Unless you are a very good mechanic you will spend more money rebuilding than you will replacing. These cars are the bomb. With all the trouble i have been through with mine, I can't replace it with anything that I like better. I recently had mine serviced at an infiniti dealer and they loaned me a 2006 G35 it was a joke compared to my 93 Q45 I honestly would not trade them even, unless I could sell the G35 and buy mine back LOL. Good luck!Once you get her running again be sure and purchase a transmission cooler! Check search for posts about this!

These cars are the bomb. With all the trouble i have been through with mine, I can't replace it with anything that I like better. I recently had mine serviced at an infiniti dealer and they loaned me a 2006 G35 it was a joke compared to my 93 Q45 I honestly would not tade them even, unless I could sell the G35 and buy mine back LOL. Good luck and you may have better luck than me with your old motor

[jmorasch]

something to think about...things that make you go, HHHHMMMMMMMMM. I bought this Q from a CRAIGSLIST post 1991 Q45. everybody should check this out too. The car has a xenon(misspelled?) full body kit on it. and a fresh paint job. though Ill be sanding out some sags and runs here and there...350.00 was a steal to me... everything works. Ive been going through the thoughts of what I should do with this Q. Ive got a car lift and all that...I can get the job done BUT theres always the unknown issues your going to have to deal with. When the chain breaks....does this fry the timing sensers???????????what must be replaced when this takes place??????

[koolaidandQ45's]

Can you turn the crank by hand or is the motor locked up?

[jmorasch]

the motor turns over very well.no rattles or grinding noises what so ever. its kinda scary....like the timing chain disappeared. IM almost wondering could it not be the chain???? ater all this was a diagnosis from the previous owners mech. who knows.when I first called about the car the guy told me the timing belt broke was what he was told........that told me something. the battery was dead when I picked it up. when the new batt. was put in I got in and cranked the engine thinking it was shot to begin with it turned over perfectly...I realized as soon as I done this I shouldnt of...due to causing any damage. thats where Im at.

[maxnix]

IM almost wondering could it not be the chain???? ater all this was a diagnosis from the previous owners mech. who knows.when I first called about the car the guy told me the timing belt broke .

The only way to verify the status of the timing chain guides with no certain evidence to the contrary is to remove the front timing chain covers. All else is just speculation.

This guy knows nothing if he thinks the engine has a timing belt.

[koolaidandQ45's]

maxnix is correct the motor is timed by a very certain chain not a belt if your guides were bad YOU WOULD KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!! You are not in bad shape but do your self a favor and get metal backed guides installed! You can get a used set very reasonable and full instruction on do it yourself, here on this site.Take your time and you can be done in one day two at the most. be sure and keep track of the screws holding the timing chain cover. they are about 6 or 8 different lengths! Also be careful pulling the pully it will chip if you do not get a hold of it from behind with your puller and push it/pull it off.

[jmorasch]

no offense guys...but I know its a chain...the guy told me when I called him asking about the Q that the timing BELT had broken. he had remote start on it. went out one morn. and it clattered and wouldnt start. he said he just wanted it out of the garage. I took the chance that maybe it was an outside issue,but the motor spun very freely when I put the new battery in and cranked it once.there was no engine noises what so ever when she turned though.thats what makes me wonder.could it be something else???? whats the quickest way to check for breakage???Ill be on this sat. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!!!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR FEEDBACK SO FAR!!!!!!