My First Break Down - I am Blessed

[slybydesignq45t]

I was driving my sweet Q home yesterday, when I was just about to get on the highway. Well at 30+ miles an hour on the on ramp, my front wheels swayed to the left then to the right as if I hit a patch of ice. I proceeded to throw on my hazard lights and pulled over to the shoulder. Reason I say I am blessed is because it didn't happen on the highway but the ramp. I can't imagine it happening on the highway and I didn't take any chances with driving any further.

I then popped the hood and saw smoke in an odd location, then I noticed a good amount of fluids under the car. I realized the smoke was from what I suspect to be the power steering fluid hitting something hot and evaporating. I had the car towed to my mechanic who was about to close so I have no idea what the real reason is. For one, I know its not the engine because its an entire different smell, and there where no leaks or smoke from the engine it self. It wasn't transmission because I feel a hell of allot of oil would have spilled. I strongly suspect it is either power steering pump failed or a hose failed at the pump. I am praying its a hose, but I am leaning towards the pump. OK ladies and gentlemen whats do you think this is gonna run me? Its at the shop already.

[maxnix]

I bet it is your high pressure hose. When is the last time you exchanged (usually misnamed a flush) your PS fluid, and how often before that?

If itwas towed, hopefully a short distance with the rear wheels off the ground. Always load it on a flatbed if you have a choice.

[slybydesignq45t]

Seeing that I just purchased the car I hadn't done anything yet besides what I had done in June. I especially requested a flat bed so I they sent me one. I think your right. How much do you think if its the high pressure hose?

[Q451990]

Check http://www.everythinginfiniti.com for parts prices. Those hoses are a little pricey.

Glad to hear that you're OK and didn't wreck the car!

Heath

[slybydesignq45t]

Thanks, I didn't take any chances and once the it happened the car didn't move further from where it happened. I will check that sight now.

[maxnix]

Also, if you take the hose ends to a hydraulic shop, often they can manufacture one for you.

Always best to exchange all filters and fluids of unknown age or provenance.

[Q45tech]

"Seeing that I just purchased the car I hadn't done anything yet besides what I had done in June."

What were the $3,000 worth of defects that the certified technican found in your prebuy inspection?

Obviously this type of problem just doesn't occur out of the blue. When every hose and their connections are closely examined.

[slybydesignq45t]

(Q45tech), thanks Q45tech. Your right which has me thinking. I had the car in the shop from dealer for the original repairs oil changes and such. I am gonna wait to call my mechanic of over 4 years to see what he says.

[Q45tech]

A trustworthy 4 year mechanic is great but ask him how many hundred 1994 Q he has worked on?

A parts manager or even a lowly parts clerk knows how many of what fails in a large dealership after a few years. They have to feed the TECHNICANS daily.

[maxnix]

A parts manager or even a lowly parts clerk knows how many of what fails in a large dealership after a few years. They have to feed the TECHNICANS daily.

When I have a question on a part's replacement frequency, Joe can look up the shop's parts list by job or by annual demand. Very useful and another reason I and many patronize him.

[slybydesignq45t]

Well, its the high pressure hose that went out. They are gonna call the dealer on Monday. I suspect I am looking at an easy $1,000 with labor. It saddens me but thats the breaks. I wish that money could have gone to something else like the front suspension or something. But sigh thats life.

[Q451990]

Depending on which hose you're talking about you may be able to have it rebuilt locally at a greatly reduced price.

Heath

[slybydesignq45t]

I was thinking the same thing, but my mechanic said he would feel better going brand new. I guess its the hose by the manifold. He said the rubber parts are to risky to short cut it. I could understand where he's coming from because he is the one that has to fix it again if it goes out again. For now I am taking the bus which always sucks....LOL.

[maxnix]

Well, its the high pressure hose that went out. They are gonna call the dealer on Monday. I suspect I am looking at an easy $1,000 with labor.

Not familiar with book labor, but with a new hose from Joe ($170?) and a couple hours of labor, should be $500 or so with new fluid. Check belts and pulleys while you are there.

[elwesso]

I was thinking the same thing, but my mechanic said he would feel better going brand new. I guess its the hose by the manifold. He said the rubber parts are to risky to short cut it. I could understand where he's coming from because he is the one that has to fix it again if it goes out again. For now I am taking the bus which always sucks....LOL.

The low pressure hoses are no big deal to replace..

If you want to get a cheaper replacement, take the original hose to a hydraulic shop.. I can guartee that if the hoses they use work on our 10 ton forklift, they'll work on a Q45 PS line... When they "rebuild" them, all they do is use the fittings and put in a new length of rubber hose... I would definitely go that route, and I think its just as good as OEM..

[slybydesignq45t]

The low pressure hoses are no big deal to replace..

If you want to get a cheaper replacement, take the original hose to a hydraulic shop.. I can guartee that if the hoses they use work on our 10 ton forklift, they'll work on a Q45 PS line... When they "rebuild" them, all they do is use the fittings and put in a new length of rubber hose... I would definitely go that route, and I think its just as good as OEM..

That was a good estimate. My mechanic just called me and the entire job is gonna run me $419 that includes tax. With towing the total comes to $549.00. he is ordering the part now, and I should have my ride back by Friday the latest. So for now its my Ipod and the bus....thanks guys. There is still allot of work that needs done on the car. I am seriously justifying the cost of repairs over the next six months and feel its worth the $3,000 over that time frame. I just need to spread it out. Pulley and belts where changed including oil. So next is transmission flush and maybe fuel pump, then breaks. All in all its worth it, because it is a sweet car.