Need EXPERT opinion on 1999 i30 repairs!

[Roo69Ster]

Hello all, I just joined not too long ago after a friend of mine informed me that this was a good place for auto mechanics information!

I own a 1999 i30 Infiniti; GREAT condition, Garage kept, runs awesome, never had any problems with it until now! Currently has 107,000 miles but is still in great condition!

3 weeks ago, I was driving (highway) when I noticed my car sputtering upon deceleration (coming to a stop), almost as if it was starving for fuel OR like the timing was off! Stopped at nearest gas station and noticed fuel pouring out my exhaust. Took it too my regular mechanic and he could NOT diagnose the problem but thought it may be hydro-locked, so I was forced to take it to the dealer (infiniti).

Originally, they said it needed a new fuel pump regulator, ONE new injector and 6 new plugs). After they completed that, they asked me if they could perform another diag. test to check the integrity of the Block, pistons and con rods since they believed it may have gone through a hydro-lock situation with the bad injector, fuel regulator etc... End diagnosis was bent rod on #6 cylinder!

Okay, I'm already $1,000.00 in the hole for the initial diag. and parts and now am faced with either buying a new long block and installing it, trading that car in for something else, OR just leaving it there, walking away and pay nothing! However, I still need a car!

Cost of a new long block is roughly $4,400, and labor is around $4,000. My total, including the $1,000 I already owe would be roughly $8,000!

I need some of your opinions! PLEASE don't just say F*** That! You should have done this or should have done that! I cannot go back in time and these are the options I have right now (unless someone can think of something I'm overlooking).

I really like my car, it's always run great, I take excellent care of it, Detail it thoroughly 4 times a year and clean it weekly! I have yet to see another i30, the same year as mine which looks as good as mine! Not bragging, I just want to give you a sense of it's condition outside of the current engine problems!

Any advice, opinions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support

JRoo

[Silvia2NR]

If they suspected the engine was hydrolocked then they should have diagnosed that first before replacing things that cannot unbend a rod.

$1000 for an injector, 4 spark plugs and a fuel pressure regulator? THEN after they did that, the engine didn't run properly so they figure it would be a good time to do what they should have done in the first place. You gotta be kidding me.

$4000 to install an engine? Do they fly some special technican from Japan in to do this job?

What dealer do u take your car to? Find another one.

[Silvia2NR]

I don't know how far FT lauderdale is from Miami, but you can go get this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

and pay a reputable shop $1000 or less to install it.

Sure beats $8000-9000, doesn't it?

[Mike G]

Well here is some info to work with.. A complete R&R for a long block books out at 20 hours. With that, you are still looking at $200 hour for labor which seems a little too much, I would say $140 would be more appropriate. Get specifics from the shop and don't let the service manager talk to you like you know nothing about cars or how long it takes to repair something. That said, with the new motor, your car will be like new, were you planning on replacing it soon anyway? Would you be comfortable driving it another 4 or so years to recover some of your investment? Is there a local shop that you can turn to which provides quality remanned engines, installed and with a warranty? I know there are a few in my area and they have a pretty decent reputation.

Just some ideas, --Mike

[dr-rjp]

Hello all, I just joined not too long ago after a friend of mine informed me that this was a good place for auto mechanics information!

I own a 1999 i30 Infiniti; GREAT condition, Garage kept, runs awesome, never had any problems with it until now! Currently has 107,000 miles but is still in great condition!

3 weeks ago, I was driving (highway) when I noticed my car sputtering upon deceleration (coming to a stop), almost as if it was starving for fuel OR like the timing was off! Stopped at nearest gas station and noticed fuel pouring out my exhaust. Took it too my regular mechanic and he could NOT diagnose the problem but thought it may be hydro-locked, so I was forced to take it to the dealer (infiniti).

Originally, they said it needed a new fuel pump regulator, ONE new injector and 6 new plugs). After they completed that, they asked me if they could perform another diag. test to check the integrity of the Block, pistons and con rods since they believed it may have gone through a hydro-lock situation with the bad injector, fuel regulator etc... End diagnosis was bent rod on #6 cylinder!

Okay, I'm already $1,000.00 in the hole for the initial diag. and parts and now am faced with either buying a new long block and installing it, trading that car in for something else, OR just leaving it there, walking away and pay nothing! However, I still need a car!

Cost of a new long block is roughly $4,400, and labor is around $4,000. My total, including the $1,000 I already owe would be roughly $8,000!

I need some of your opinions! PLEASE don't just say F*** That! You should have done this or should have done that! I cannot go back in time and these are the options I have right now (unless someone can think of something I'm overlooking).

I really like my car, it's always run great, I take excellent care of it, Detail it thoroughly 4 times a year and clean it weekly! I have yet to see another i30, the same year as mine which looks as good as mine! Not bragging, I just want to give you a sense of it's condition outside of the current engine problems!

Any advice, opinions or recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your support

JRoo

Keep the car!

First of all, you can get a complete JDM engine with 35K-50K on it for around $1,000 plus freight charges, and if you check around, you should be able to find a place that will drop it in for $2K.

Secondly, you've got a nice car that will easily give you another 100k or more. I love my 98 I30. I bought it at 108K and put on 30K. I put 303K on my '92 Max with the original engine and automatic transmission, so I expect to get about the same mileage on my I30.

BTW, is your car the I30 Limited or Special Edition?

I'd recommend finding a 2000-01 engine if you can. It is a direct fit, but it has a variable-valve intake and puts out 222HP vs 190HP. If you cannot find one, then get a 97-98 engine rather than a 99 'cause they had issues with that engine.