New J30 Owner

[j30freak]

Hello everyone! This Saturday, I bought a 93 J30 that had just turned 100K. I can't believe how sweet this car is. It's gorgeous, drives wonderfully, has lots of power, and handles like a dream. I bought it for my wife, but after driving it, we will definitely be sharing it I had been lusting after a G35, but this has got me over that for the time being

Of course, I had it checked out by my mechanic first and it needs stuff that you would expect from a car of its age and price range. It needs brake pads and a new serpentine belt, which will be going on tomorrow and probably spark plugs. Got the transmission fluid and coolant flushed. Oil had just been changed by the previous owner. I'm not sure if the timing belt has been replaced, but they thought it had. I will be contacing the local Infiniti dealer to see if they have records.

Anyway, just wanted to say, "hey" and see if you guys had any advice or suggestions. I have been searching the archives and this is a way cool site. :ylsuper

[IvoryJ30t]

awesome, glad to hear you like the car as much as the rest of us.

the plugs and belts are an easy change. just remember to use NGK plugs. your probably better off with some OEM brake pads, or some metal master pads if you like to drive hard.

the car shares alot of its equipment with other nissans. the engine and transmission are the same as Z32 [90-96) non turbo 300ZX.

if you have the timing belt replaced, as it should every 60k miles, use a belt for a 96-97. those belts are reinforced and will last 100k miles.

Welcome to NICO!!

[j30freak]

Thanks for the tips, IvoryJ30t

[IvoryJ30t]

you got it.

[carlos_knology]

Welcome aboard and when you have a chance, check out my J30 web page.

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30.htm

Carlos

[j30freak]

Welcome aboard and when you have a chance, check out my J30 web page.

http://www.fuzzycats.com/j30.htm

Carlos

Thanks, I had already checked it...very cool

[VimyJ]

All the new timing belts will last 105K. Do some reading using the search button for "J30 Timing Belt". There's some stuff you should take care of while you have the front of the engine off.

These cars are great, eh? Welcome to the club.

[IvoryJ30t]

i didnt know it was ALL the new belts!! when did the 105K belts become standard issue?

[VimyJ]

In 95 the kevlar timing belt was made standard so every replacement belt will also be of the new type. There is some confusion about exactly when the new belt came in to use. Some say that some of the later 94s were kevlar equipped. I wouldn't know how to tell the difference by looking at them, though.

[j30freak]

I was expecting to have to put some money into this car and that is indeed the case. Only $3500 in it before getting the work done so that is ok, I guess. I knew about most of this stuff already. but just got the word from the mechanic:

Leaks and such:

After reading about it here, I had them check the oil pressure switch and yep, it was leaking--cheap fix.

Also had a leaking transmission pan gasket which they will replace with the filter and add fluid. I already had the transmission fluid flushed by my lube shop. They have the machine to completely flush the system, but don't replace gaskets/filters--wish I had know that, doh! My mechanic replaces gaskets/filters but doesn't have the machine to get all of the old stuff out. Oh well, I wanted all that old fluid out anyway. I'm just out the price of the difference in transmission fluid.

It needs all 4 brake pads, doesn't look like any rotors need replacing though.

He will be replacing the belts.

Front axle boot (knew about that). Tensions rods and bushing (didn't know about that)--ouch!

Grand total of $1100. Add to that the cost of 4 new tires ($400) and $150 for previous coolant/transmission flush for $5150 in the vehicle total.

This is not including a new driver's side door latch (just started not locking or unlocking--wife couldn't get out this morning) $$$??? They are looking around for a part that is cheaper than at the dealer ($100).

I am still hoping that the timing belt was replaced at 60K like it was supposed to be. The Infiniti dealer wouldn't release the service history info over the phone. I have to bring it in and prove ownership of the vehicle :rolleyes If not, I'll have to have all that done too.

[VimyJ]

Buy your parts from Joe for a substantial savings. Door latch problem is known.

From my notes:

The door latch is quite a troublemaker. It causes anything from setting off alarms to being unable to open the door! A new, updated latch is available from TJ for $23. This is truly a pain to install. Minimum 3 hours. The door lock actuator attaches to the door latch (you have to remove and reinstall it when you replace the latch). It's about $65 from TJ. Totally unneccessary to replace the actuator if the power lock works. A failed actuator would not prevent you from opening the door, only a failed latch would. The actuator is simply the solenoid that locks/unlocks the door with the power locks.

When you order the door latch, order some new clips for the door panel in case you break any.

The first symptom of the door latch failing is this: When you close the door but leave the car unlocked, you will return and the alarm goes off when you open the door. That happened on both of our Js. Basically the alarm sets by itself when you close the door. If your doors ever lock by themselves, replace your door lock timer!

[j30freak]

Thanks VimyJ. I head read this. but am a little unclear. The driver's door switch does not work to lock or unlock the door. Sounds like it's the latch then, but do I also need to replace the actuator?

[VimyJ]

Can you hear the actuator working?

[j30freak]

I realized that my previous post is not very clear. The driver's master lock switch will lock and unlock the other doors, it will almost unlock the driver's door, i.e., the switch moves the lockbut not all the way. But I can't open the driver's door with the door handle and can't manually move the switch either. ALso the master key will not unlock the driver's door. Any further help would be greatly appreciated

[j30freak]

Can you hear the actuator working?

Yes, I think so. It unlocks the other doors.

[VimyJ]

It definitiely sounds like the latch is broken. This, from what I recall, is a real PIA especially if the door is stuck closed. I wish I could remember what I read on this a couple of years ago. I think it involved using a long screwdriver to break the latch but it's all hazy now.

Sounds like the actuator is working though so it isn't all bad news. Great, eh? There is one actuator per door.

Hopefully, one of the other members with a better memory will post. I'm going to go lube my door latch right now.

[j30freak]

Thanks again for the info.

[mersidoe]

Thank you Vimy J for explaining my door locks! I'm not thrilled to learn there's something else "going" on my J, but I'm thrilled to know why my alarm would go off "at whim." I couldn't figure it out! They also lock on their own, just as you described.

The last time the alarm went off, I was standing in front of one of my client's offices. I was so embarrassed, and I couldn't get the alarm to stop. I looked pretty stupid! :-(

[VimyJ]

If your locks are arming themselves then the culprit is the door lock timer. My alarm sometimes trip itself too but only under certain conditions. The timer is a cheap fix. Inserting and turning the key in the door lock will stop the honking.

The 93 & 94 Js seem to have gremlins that were pretty much ironed out by 95.

[j30freak]

Quote »A new, updated latch is available from TJ for $23. [/quote]

I'm interested in odering this, can someone provide me a link or send me in the right direction?

[VimyJ]

"Everything Infiniti" ad to the left.

[mersidoe]

Sometimes the remote stops the alarm, sometimes the key does, but it doesn't seem to be consistent. (Either that, or I'm so flustered by that point, I forget what I'm doing!)

I'm really seriously considering watching for a newer J to replace my 93. Then I could get a newer car, lower miles, and an extended warranty. The trick now would be to find one as nice as the one I have. I was at the dealer the other day, and there was a woman there with a newer J30 (I don't know what year, but the dash was different) and it only had 50K. I almost asked her if she'd be wiling to sell it!

[j30freak]

Quote »"Everything Infiniti" ad to the left.[/quote]

Thanks.

Quote »Sometimes the remote stops the alarm, sometimes the key does, but it doesn't seem to be consistent. (Either that, or I'm so flustered by that point, I forget what I'm doing!)[/quote]

Like VimyJ said, the door lock timer is a cheap fix. I think the part is about $60 and it is supposed to be easy to get to.