New 94Q Owner. Few questions

[jy2004]

Hello,

Just purchased a 94Q 2 weeks ago, and enjoying it so much.Good repair history on the car with rebuilt transmission in 2004.Few questions: (I am still reading thru lots of post)

1) Air Conditioning does not work.Blow warm air, how much can I expect for a repair cost?

2) Warning message: Brake Pad Worn, and Stop LampAre these common error messages? PO told me that specific brake pads must be used.

3) Upgrading the stock Wheels.Does G35 OEM wheel (17x7) fit without any modification?

Besides air conditioning, car runs super and interior is flawless.Much luxury than 300ZX that I have been driving.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Jonathan

[Jesda]

Any brake pad will do. Some will create more dust than others.

If the compressor is seized, expect to spend $100 on a used compressor + an hour or two of shop labor to install it, $150-200 on R134 and flushing solvent, $50-$60 on a receiver. Thats going the cheap way, assuming the rest of the system is still decent.

G wheels will work fine.

Replace your rear bulbs with OEM bulbs. NO AFTERMARKET!!

Thats a gorgeous Q.

[elwesso]

EWWWW DONT USE cheap brake pads.. At least get OEM (less than 100 for all 4 corners)... Cheap brake pads are the suck!

As far as the compressor, its $433.35 for a new one from Joe.. and about 70 for the drier (which must be replaced and bought new)... Anytime you unhook the system for a compressor, evap, condensor, etc etc you gotta replace the drier...

You can get a used one, but be careful...

[Jesda]

EWWWW DONT USE cheap brake pads.. At least get OEM (less than 100 for all 4 corners)... Cheap brake pads are the suck!

In normal driving, all they do is generate more noise and dust, and using cheaper organic compounds, they also prevent rotor warpage.

[elwesso]

All I can say is that youll be wishing you had that 2 feet when your radiator is in someone elses trunk.....

[tkd_q45]

NICE Q!!! I love the color. Have you tried simply recharging the system? I'd start there first.

Most other Infiniti wheels seem to fit w/o any issues. I'd follow Wes's advise on the breakpads. Better yet upgrade your brakes to Z32s.

[Jesda]

All I can say is that youll be wishing you had that 2 feet when your radiator is in someone elses trunk.....

Having been rear-ended hard many times in my life, I've been frightened into keeping insanely long following distances, especially in sudden 90mph to 0mph St Louis traffic. If I was close enough to slam into someone, I was close enough to get ticketed for it.

[maxnix]

All I can say is that youll be wishing you had that 2 feet when your radiator is in someone elses trunk.....

Only thing more important is tires. Hard high mileage all season rocks will cost you a lot of performance and safety margin.

You don't describe your AC problems adequately, but do post a more complete description in the Infiniti Online Mechanic Forum so we may deduce if it is a compressor issue or a mixer door problem.

The G35 wheels will work, but 7 is somewhat narrow in 17. You really want at least 8, 8.5 best for 255/45-17 size. Unfortunately, performance tires suitable for the Q45 are few in that size.
Modified by maxnix at 9:50 AM 5/27/2006

[goody90q45]

1) Air Conditioning does not work.Blow warm air, how much can I expect for a repair cost?

2) Warning message: Brake Pad Worn, and Stop Lamp

You could get lucky on the AC and have it be something as simple as the AC relay in the engine compartment fuse box. My AC didn't work when I bought it and the $50 relay was the only problem. Do you know another Q owner to try a quick swap?

The OEM brake pads come with new sensors that when installed will clear the warning message. I think the complaint is that the message comes back pretty early in the pad life and your stuck driving for months with an error message and can't use your odometer. If you're diligent about checking the pads you can live without the sensors. It's tough to see the pads if you have pie pans without removing the tire, but very easy to check it daily with ribbed rims. Do a search and you'll see how to jumper the sensors to permanently delete the brake pad worn message. It's very easy to do once you get under the car. I think Wes has a writeup on it at Q45.org.

Do a search on the bulb issue and you should be able to work through that problem also. It has come up many times. Have fun with your new Q.

[jy2004]

Thanks everyone for all the information.

As for the AC, I will recharge it first but I have a feeling that it will take more than a recharge. (AC wasn't functional for last 2 years)Except listes problems, car is wonderful. 105K maintenance done ($1200) and interior is 10 out of 10. All this for $3000 !! I am glad that I am selling my 300ZX.

Local craigslist had G35 (17x7) wheel with tires for $350.This will be first upgrade to the Q.

Thanks all.

Jonathan

[HashiriyaS14]

You got that Q45 for THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS?!?!?

That thing is BEAUTIFUL!

Congratulations, shxt like that happens to me in my dreams, lol.

[maxnix]

Local craigslist had G35 (17x7) wheel with tires for $350.This will be first upgrade to the Q.

Ummmm.....that's more like a side step than an upgrade, in terms of performance.

[Q451990]

Be sure to check the load rating of the tires on those rims. If I remember correctly the OEM tires on my wife's G were rated much lower than the minimum 95 load rating required on the Q.

Welcome to NICO!

Heath

[Skibane]

In normal driving, all they do is generate more noise and dust, and using cheaper organic compounds, they also prevent rotor warpage.

Never put in a cheap set of pads that lasted more than 25K - and that's with conservative driving habits.

[jy2004]

Thanks for all thew welcome and advises.

Are there recommended OEM wheels that maybe well suited for Q?

Thanks

Jonathan

[jy2004]

PO was going back to UK and was on a time crunch to sell.Q was originally a lease return and PO bought it @ 35K, repair history for last 10 years.

A quick question, wasn;t OEM deck supposed to control the CD changer?I have a separate remote for the CD change which is fed thru FM modulator.

Thanks

[elwesso]

PO was going back to UK and was on a time crunch to sell.Q was originally a lease return and PO bought it @ 35K, repair history for last 10 years.

A quick question, wasn;t OEM deck supposed to control the CD changer?I have a separate remote for the CD change which is fed thru FM modulator.

Thanks

Yeah thats how the CD changer was supposed to work.. Either with a clarion (dealer installed) or sony (factory installed).....

the G35 wheels should be fine, but id find some different tires... the OEM G35 tires may not be suitable.

[maxnix]

Are there recommended OEM wheels that maybe well suited for Q?

Do some reading.

2 choices are the 2004 F50 Premium 18x8 chromed, or the Z33 track staggered. A few caveats on the latter.