Hey guys, I've been looking on here for a while and decided to join. I just bought a 1999.5 QX4 for my daily driver. I'm building an '02 Acura TL Type-S right now.
So my QX4 has 111,000 miles, and I'm the 3rd owner. Overall its pretty clean, I love the way it drives (other than it being painfully slow).
I was reading something about a different fluid to use in the transfer case or something for better fuel mileage, and now I can't find it. Would you guys reccomend a trans drain and fill? What about rear diff fluid or transfer case? Im not sure if it has been done or not, and yes it has the hard 1st to 2nd shift like I have read about on here.
When is the timing belt and water pump reccomended? Any other reccomendations?
Thanks!!
New guy with a few questions
Re: New guy with a few questions (Arsenic)
I recently got a 2000 QX4 and it has about 115k on it right now. Fortunately, before I bought it, the previous owner had the timing belt and water pump changed out at about 100k, which is when you are supposed to do it. It cost around $850 for them. I imagine you can do it cheaper, but probably not too much, I've heard the dealers charge over $1000.
Don't know about different fluid to put in the transfer case, be careful with that. Some of these guys have been pretty creative, so maybe they know.
I did find out that a replacement key is over $150!! Nissan wants $100 to program it, and the key is $70. Infiniti wants $50 to program it, but the key is close to $100! These guys are nuts. I bought a $5 key that works the door and unlocks the steering column in case my wife loses her only key...
Don't know about different fluid to put in the transfer case, be careful with that. Some of these guys have been pretty creative, so maybe they know.
I did find out that a replacement key is over $150!! Nissan wants $100 to program it, and the key is $70. Infiniti wants $50 to program it, but the key is close to $100! These guys are nuts. I bought a $5 key that works the door and unlocks the steering column in case my wife loses her only key...
Re: New guy with a few questions (jsm02cpa)
For a replacement key, check out Ace Hardware. They made me a new chip key for my 02 PF for $70.
Panzer
Panzer
-
hospitalbuilder
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:30 am
- Car: 1999 Infiniti QX4
Re: New guy with a few questions (Arsenic)
I picked up my 99 Q a little over four years ago with about 95K miles. The 99.5 has the upgraded engine, let me tell you about slow. Actually it has not been too much of a problem, but on a nice powder day you can probably find me limping along in the right lane heading up towards the Eisenhower Tunnel, getting passed by trucks, bikes, joggers, etc.
I had to do the timing belt change almost immediately, it's recommended at 105K for the 99. I do not think I had the water pump done, but 80K miles later and all is well. As part of that service I had all of the brakes done, oil and filter change and the front wheel bearings re-packed. If I recall correctly, that total bill was slightly north of $1,000 (I am sure they did some other stuff as well, just cannot recall). They also recommended that I change the rear shocks (one was dented and bent) and get a induction flush to clean the injectors, but I deferred those until later to conserve cost at that point.
Since then I have done most of the work on it myself and had no major issues, damn, did I just jinx myself?!?! Knock on wood. Actually, that is not entirely true, the A/C compressor clutch has failed, but here in Denver, I only need A/C for a few weeks of the year anyway, so I can endure. I have done many oil changes, changed the rear shocks and front struts, fuel filter change, brake jobs, etc. etc. About the only things I have had done by a shop is a radiator flush, new tires and alignment, induction flush and a transmission fluid change. Shop guy said, that the transmission shifts solid with no slippage, but he found lots of metal shavings, so I should have it re-built right then, right there. $2,000.... No thanks, 50,000 miles later, still going strong. It throws codes from time to time, O2 sensor, knock sensor, etc. but for the most part I get them read and cleared and go on about my business. I passed emissions and am getting the best fuel mileage I have ever gotten out of it at 18 - 19 mpg, so I am happy at this point.
After that first round of repairs at the shop, my wife "affectionately" referred to it as the money pit, but I must say that for a 100K plus car, with no records available prior to my ownership, it has been relatively problem free. Keep up with the maintenance and it will serve you well.
I had to do the timing belt change almost immediately, it's recommended at 105K for the 99. I do not think I had the water pump done, but 80K miles later and all is well. As part of that service I had all of the brakes done, oil and filter change and the front wheel bearings re-packed. If I recall correctly, that total bill was slightly north of $1,000 (I am sure they did some other stuff as well, just cannot recall). They also recommended that I change the rear shocks (one was dented and bent) and get a induction flush to clean the injectors, but I deferred those until later to conserve cost at that point.
Since then I have done most of the work on it myself and had no major issues, damn, did I just jinx myself?!?! Knock on wood. Actually, that is not entirely true, the A/C compressor clutch has failed, but here in Denver, I only need A/C for a few weeks of the year anyway, so I can endure. I have done many oil changes, changed the rear shocks and front struts, fuel filter change, brake jobs, etc. etc. About the only things I have had done by a shop is a radiator flush, new tires and alignment, induction flush and a transmission fluid change. Shop guy said, that the transmission shifts solid with no slippage, but he found lots of metal shavings, so I should have it re-built right then, right there. $2,000.... No thanks, 50,000 miles later, still going strong. It throws codes from time to time, O2 sensor, knock sensor, etc. but for the most part I get them read and cleared and go on about my business. I passed emissions and am getting the best fuel mileage I have ever gotten out of it at 18 - 19 mpg, so I am happy at this point.
After that first round of repairs at the shop, my wife "affectionately" referred to it as the money pit, but I must say that for a 100K plus car, with no records available prior to my ownership, it has been relatively problem free. Keep up with the maintenance and it will serve you well.
Re: New guy with a few questions (Arsenic)
what is the cause for the hard 1st and 2nd gears?cause now that i think about it, mine does that too. I thought i just needed a trans fluid change