New Member ~ Q number 2 ~ Seeking Advice

[Qnumber2]

I just bought a beautiful 94 Q. 196k. It's in excellent condition. All service records since new from infiniti dealer and T3 in Decatur. Noticed a couple of rough spots while engine builds rpm. Service records indicate the fuel pump has been replaced, as well as the driveshaft. I'm certain of only one thing: It's not the tires. Service records also show regular fuel additive and fuel system cleaner usage. So I'm not sure if the injectors could be the cause. I'm seeking advice on the above mentioned issue as well as general maintenance recommendations for this mileage. There is a slight vibration a take off, nicer and less severe but similar to the vibration I felt in my 91 Q when I read an exact description (in the Nico forums) explained as transmission mounts. Other thoughts: What type of oil is recommended at this mileage? Sometimes hear lifter at idle, goes away above idle. I've had pleasing quiet results in the past with castrol high mileage, but this car has valvoline in it now; so I'm curious to see what other Q lovers use. What other maintenance items should I be saving up for? Is a transmission fluid and filter change / upgrade ideal? Wanted to some Lucas transmission stuff, this kept my other high mileage vehicles shifting smoothly when they didn't before the fluid and filter upgrade. The Q shifts ok, I just want to keep it that way. Other near future to do list candidate: brake upgrade, considering starting by just replacing oem pads with ceramic for now; any experience / recommendations? I won't be able to afford a complete brake upgrade for a while, but figured the ceramics may not eat themselves and rotors for lunch as quickly as standard pads. I'm so excited about this near perfect dream machine of mine, I could go on for hours... I will post pics on the Q45 gallery I found the link to here asap... Any and all questions / comments/ advice / recommendations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!

[maxnix]

Plenum been off? When?

OEM pads are the best if you are not tracking it.

3rd motor(transmission) mount replaced?

[Qnumber2]

Not sure about the 3rd motor/transmission mount, but plenum came off during service at 80k I think, i will have to check the records I could be way off. I guess I can call T3 and see what their records show, I've only had the car for 6 days. What makes you ask about those parts? Just curious, I want to learn everything I can. Everything I know I've learned here by reading the forums, I had a membership when I had the old Q 12 yrs ago

[maxnix]

Common neglected items. Plenums not cleaned when off (additional labor charge). 3rd motor mount not replaced often enough. Always filters and fluids.

[Q451990]

back to the Q club!

12 years ago would have been back in the Yahoo board days... what was your user name then... just curious - I spent quite a bit of time there.

The third motor mount (a/k/a transmission mount) is a common cause of vibrations. You will usually feel it most in the seat bottom when starting out from a stop while facing up an incline. Old exhaust mounts and hangers also send more vibrations to the car.

If it hasn't had an injector flush recently, and the plenum hasn't been off since 80K then it could easily be due for knock sensors again (assuming they were changed at least once by now). Those can definitely cause dead spots during acceleration and are not "check engine light" items.

If Byron is still at the S. Cobb location (or any T3) it might be worth your time to pay him for an hour of his time to give it a good inspection... I suspect he is one of, if not the most knowledgable technician around for the first generation Q.

Heath

[Qnumber2]

Awesome info thanks! The knock sensor was replaced. I didn't see any record of the transmission mount, or the injectors actually being flushed, just fuel system treatment at the infiniti dealer. No record of the plenum being cleaned either. So next oil change will take place at T3 and I will get it inspected... Thanks!

[Qnumber2]

And thanks for the welcome back! I can't express how happy I am to have this Q and to be back on NICO

[maxnix]

12 years ago would have been back in the Yahoo board days... what was your user name then... just curious - I spent quite a bit of time there.

If Byron is still at the S. Cobb location (or any T3) it might be worth your time to pay him for an hour of his time to give it a good inspection... I suspect he is one of, if not the most knowledgable technician around for the first generation Q.

Yahoo still there, barely. What's your name there? Us oldies all started there, or Usenet.

Byron is your guy. Money well spent.

[Qnumber2]

I can't remember my old name there, I had to create a new email just to open a NICO membership when I got this Q. I couldn't remember any of the old info, and now I only get online for work and NICO. I noticed the new Q is behaving strangely now... Sometimes when you start it the engine runs really rough, check engine light comes on, and then once you drive a mile or less it smooths out and the check engine light goes off. Guess I need to plan on making the trip to T3 sooner than I thought. I'm planning on taking the Q to Florida in two weeks, need a happy car for that trip. Vibrates like hell (for a Q) on the interstate too (80mph). I never had the chance to drive the car above 65 during my pre-purchase test drives, but it is consistent at 80, feel it in the floorboard mostly, tiny bit in steering. I did set the tire pressure about a week ago, will check again in the morning... thanks again! I've had trouble trying to post pics to the Q gallery I learned of from a post here a week or so ago. I'm anxious to share images of this Q its the best conditioned 94 I've seen since 94... My old Q was sort of a beater, long story about that poor car. It still never missed a beat while I drove it. This Q makes my 7th Nissan product. I like Nissan, but I LOVE the Q!

[Q451990]

If you're feeling something that I can best describe as a "bounce" at idle, I'd guess a bad injector or two...

Heath

[Qnumber2]

Yes! Bounce is the perfect word! The car also cut off suddendly yesterday, I found a GPS tracking device under the hood poorly installed and poorly grounded. Removed that promplty. Q hasn't cut off again, but it is still sometimes bouncing at idle and today it jerked a couple of times under light acceleration on the highway. I will be looking at injectors I guess, and I'm thinking the plugs are due for changing and possibly the coils.Are there any oil additives (such as Lucas) that are safe for the Q? I've used the Lucas transmission fluid additive and experienced smooth results..

[maxnix]

You are lucky. Ditch the Lucas snake oil. Seriously. No oil additives necessary unless you want to dissolve the gunk in the oil pan, than BG Quick Clean immediately before the drain.

Try Redline SL 1 or BG44K to clean you lines after you change the fuel filter.

It all goes back to the maintenance history. Get it to Byron now so you are prepared for your trip.