New Q-45 owner

[Americain]

Looks like you got a great deal for $1800 for a dealer maintained Q. Congrats. IMHO if you're not going to change the guides you ought to at least remove the covers and check them for peace of mind. Your call.

I'm curious what the build date is on your 93Q. You'll find it on a label on the driver front door sill. If it's unreadable I think it's also on the driver side firewall. For the record, I've got a 94Q, with metal backed chain guides, with a build date of 2/93.

CD player- For laughs have you removed the trunk trim panel covering the antenna motor to look for an unused electrical connector? I don't think the 93Q had the side mounted CD player but it only takes a few minutes to check.

Jesda's right about going the FM modulator route. The install is pretty easy since it ties into the antenna cable. Check the Infiniti Parts forum, there's one for sale cheap.

I'll get around to that soon. I have read the commentary on the chain guides and it has been noted. For myself this is not a 47K car, it is a car I picked up for 1800 bucks. Pouring another 2500 dollars into it requires some hard thinking on my part but I am thinking about it. If I get a year out of it I'll be happy. I do find the car incredibly interesting though, it does grow on you.

My build date is 07/92.

I've ordered a DIN adapter from one of the other posters here at NICO that will allow me to connect my Ipod to the Bose stereo. I've decided to skip CD's altogether. LOL.

[Americain]

You should change the oil after using the BG44k !

That statement gets repeated alot around here but consider this fact-99% of BG44k use is by professionals when a customers car is in for service,and LEAVES their facility with a fresh can of 44k dumped into tank,do you really think the owner goes BACK to a shop a week later again to have their oil changed? my guess is most,if not ALL do not,and are not even told to do so!

Interesting.

[Americain]

Since this is a chronical of my adventures with this Q I'll just keep adding to it. Last week I had the driver's side upper control arm installed along with a front end alignment. The car is feeling better and better. I'm hoping to change my spark plugs tomorrow as I already received my OEM plugs from Joe in Scottsdale. I've been scouring the spark plug archives and have found the information interesting. One question though, once the plastic covers are off about how far down the scary hole is the plug? Just wondering.

[maxnix]

For myself this is not a 47K car, it is a car I picked up for 1800 bucks. Pouring another 2500 dollars into it requires some hard thinking on my part but I am thinking about it.

Maybe not, but it is to the parts and service guys, in early 90's dollars.

The reason you only paid $1800 for it is because of the accumulated deferred maintenance.

Sparkplugs require an extension. you will see when you remove the coil packs.

[Haitian_King]

So I take it that my plan to add a can of BG 44K at about 500 miles before my next oil change is a good one? Or add it earlier/later?

[elwesso]

For the original poster, this is really what it comes down to. Its hard to believe a bunch of yahoo's on the internet who think they know more than your local infiniti guy, who may or may not know what he's talking about. Fact is he convinced you that he knows what he's talking about.

Also, Welcome to NICO!

FACT: This forum has more experience on G50s than any Infiniti dealership, the only exceptions to this rule might be T3, Keith Vanmeter, and Jerry Tucker. Really, anything thats said on here has your car's best interests in mind. If the car is that nice, you'd hate to lose it to guides.

Having a 93 you might be OK since some get the metal guides.

To the hijacker of this thread- yes you'll be fine. I do not believe that BG44k degrades your oil enough to solicit changing it, moreover I do not believe it has any appreciable negative impact on the oil... I think its better for the car to add it when you'll be going on a long road trip, regardless of where you are in your OCI vs putting around town right before your oil change. Just my opinion based on my experience.

[Americain]

HK, from what I've gathered it's a good idea to drain your oil as soon as possible after you've used the can of BG 44K but I may be wrong.

[Americain]

For the original poster, this is really what it comes down to. Its hard to believe a bunch of yahoo's on the internet who think they know more than your local infiniti guy, who may or may not know what he's talking about. Fact is he convinced you that he knows what he's talking about.

Also, Welcome to NICO!

FACT: This forum has more experience on G50s than any Infiniti dealership, the only exceptions to this rule might be T3, Keith Vanmeter, and Jerry Tucker. Really, anything thats said on here has your car's best interests in mind. If the car is that nice, you'd hate to lose it to guides.

Having a 93 you might be OK since some get the metal guides.

To the hijacker of this thread- yes you'll be fine. I do not believe that BG44k degrades your oil enough to solicit changing it, moreover I do not believe it has any appreciable negative impact on the oil... I think its better for the car to add it when you'll be going on a long road trip, regardless of where you are in your OCI vs putting around town right before your oil change. Just my opinion based on my experience.

Thanks man. You have no idea how valuable this info is you're offering. I truly appreciate all of it. And here's a pic of the Black Emerald beauty...

[elwesso]

Nice lookin ride. IF you're ever comin west to Indiana hit me up!

[Haitian_King]

Nice Q! Looks just like mine. Light gray interior? Did you get OEM mats with yours?

[Americain]

Nice lookin ride. IF you're ever comin west to Indiana hit me up!

I'd definitely give you a ring. Thanks for the offer. Wes, are there any pics of a spark plug change in the archives? I've been through it and don't see any.

[elwesso]

Check out Q45.org . I have a writeup there..

Since you dont have a TCS or active model (as listed in your profile) its gonna be not so bad. Remove the intake tube, the little boxes on the black plastic covers, then take the plastic covers off, and the coils out, then replace the plugs.

generally what I do (ive done i think 3-4 plug jobs on Qs) is remove the harness and then the coils. only the #1 and #2 coils are different than the others (meaning #1 and #2 cylinders, front on each bank)..

The job is very doable with limited tools and mechanical knowledge, its just VERY TEDIOUS since theres a lot of little screws to remove that are hard to get to. Bottom line is when you get done with it you'll be glad you didnt drop 4 bills at a shop to get it done. First timer I would plan on just doing it in an afternoon with a 12 pack, it still takes me a good 3-4 hours and Ive done it a few times..

Having a plethora of 3/8 extensions makes the job easy.

[Americain]

Nice Q! Looks just like mine. Light gray interior? Did you get OEM mats with yours?

HK, it has the beige or camel colored interior. Drivers seat is a little worn but it's still presentable.

[Haitian_King]

Oooh. Camel. Sounds nice. Combined with a nice dark burl wood, you'd have a dynamite interior. My Q didn't even come with mats. I bought some deep treaded rubber ones that compliment the interior just as well though.

[Americain]

I'm about midway through the spark plug replacement operation. I have something very interesting. The spark plug I removed wasn't the stock platinum plug by NGK. The plug WAS an NGK but it was the BKR5E, a copper core plug which isn't the stock plug for the Q45 if I'm not mistaken. I imagine this is why it's running a little rough. I'll have more on this when I'm finished.

Modified by Americain at 12:28 PM 11/12/2007
Modified by Americain at 12:28 PM 11/12/2007

[pito11213]

Yeah the Q is sensitive to parts, but when its running, damn its running good!! By the way, as a testament to Wes, I remember when I was doing fuel injector swaps like 8 in the morning eastern time. Wes woke up, answered his phone and helped me out. Good guy there!!!

[Haitian_King]

Good stuff. One time Mike (Goody94Q45) helped me to locate the TCU and ECU and it was like 1 AM ET.

No matter how off putting and tough they seem be, NICO members are some of the most helpful/generous people around. Makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

[elwesso]

for future reference, i make my phone number available to call for a reason. If you guys have questions and you need immediate help, call me I usually answer...

Not gonna lie Pito, i ALMOST didnt answer that time...

[AlabamaDan]

For goodness sake don't ever use Bosch. FTIW, every Q I've seen in a junkyard was running Bosch plugs.
Modified by AlabamaDan at 11:08 PM 11/12/2007

[Americain]

For goodness sake don't ever use Bosch. FTIW, ever Q I've seen in a junkyard was running Bosch plugs.

Well whoever put those NGK BKR5E plugs in my Q45 did themselves and the car a great disservice. I didn't have time to change all the plugs, just the passenger side which would be cylinders #2,4,6,and 8...would that be correct? I'll do the other side next week on my next day off. I finished buttoning it up 30 minutes ago and took it for a test drive. The difference was awesome and only four plugs had been changed out. The car was now smooth with no noticable shake at idle. Finally the car is approaching it's potential. Can't wait to see what happens when the driver's side get's done! Woooooo!

On a personal and humorous note...THIS JOB WAS THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE BUTT i'VE EVER DONE! There. That felt good to get that out. Holy cow, getting that coil pack and spark plug off of cylinder #8 just absolutely vexed me. Of course, knowing that I saved half of the 500 dollar dealer service makes the ache in my lower back feel just so much better. I'll keep you all posted on how the second half of the operation goes when I get around to it.

[elwesso]

Well whoever put those NGK BKR5E plugs in my Q45 did themselves and the car a great disservice. I didn't have time to change all the plugs, just the passenger side which would be cylinders #2,4,6,and 8...would that be correct? I'll do the other side next week on my next day off. I finished buttoning it up 30 minutes ago and took it for a test drive. The difference was awesome and only four plugs had been changed out. The car was now smooth with no noticable shake at idle. Finally the car is approaching it's potential. Can't wait to see what happens when the driver's side get's done! Woooooo!

On a personal and humorous note...THIS JOB WAS THE BIGGEST PAIN IN THE BUTT i'VE EVER DONE! There. That felt good to get that out. Holy cow, getting that coil pack and spark plug off of cylinder #8 just absolutely vexed me. Of course, knowing that I saved half of the 500 dollar dealer service makes the ache in my lower back feel just so much better. I'll keep you all posted on how the second half of the operation goes when I get around to it.

Then you'll love the plenum or more/less anything you have to do on the Q... Get used to it, it doesnt get easier.

WHY WE ALWAYS recommend you do things THOROUGHLY so you dont revisit stuff.

[Americain]

Wes, at least I have your picture guide for the other side which I found on Q45.org Thanks for the tutorial.

[Haitian_King]

I'm curious,

Do you have a background in automotive mechanics, or are you just first timing everything with the help of the board? If it's the latter, I tip my hat to you. I'm deathly afraid to touch the plenum. I'm sure I'll have to soon, seeing as how I need to change plugs (That should be done at 90K right?). This just might be the inspiration I need to kick that "I need a mechanic" mentality and become a DIY'er. I might just set up shop in the student parking lot one day.

[Americain]

I'm curious,

Do you have a background in automotive mechanics, or are you just first timing everything with the help of the board? If it's the latter, I tip my hat to you. I'm deathly afraid to touch the plenum. I'm sure I'll have to soon, seeing as how I need to change plugs (That should be done at 90K right?). This just might be the inspiration I need to kick that "I need a mechanic" mentality and become a DIY'er. I might just set up shop in the student parking lot one day.

I've never done auto mechanics professionally but I've always worked on my own cars. This job was fairly straighforward but was just limited for space to move around. If one is challenged with dexterity then you might find it difficult. I enjoy the DIY thing.

[elwesso]

seriously guys... Call me up and I'll convince you to tackle any job yourself...

If I was loaded with cash I'd just buy a van and travel across the country restoring Q45s for pennies on the dollar.. That would be amazing..

one thing ive learned about Q45s is once you "get it" everything instantly becomes easy. Owning a Q45 is a hell of a way to get introduced to DIY because anything you do on a Q45 is about 90% harder than any other car...

Put it this way. I pulled the head on my BMW and i would rather pull a head on my BMW than I would replace the valve cover gaskets on the Q, or the spark plugs.

Im beginning to think Im the luckiest Q45 owner on the board because my Q doesnt need ANYTHING for another 15-20k miles (then its plugs). Thanks to T3 for doing my engine swap.

THE BIGGEST MANTRA FOR Q45 OWNERS IS DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT THE FIRST TIME BECAUSE EVERY JOB YOU DO ON A Q IS A JOB YOU DO NOT WANT TO REVISIT.

[Americain]

By the way Wes, which side do you find more difficult to remove the plugs? Driver or passenger side?

[pito11213]

Boy that plenum was something, heres the reall kicker though. How about those coolant hoses down there in death valley. By the way if u can invest in an entire hose kit. When I changed about 6 hoses and a thermostat, I spent about 300 in parts..........more can sometimes be less in the Q world.

[elwesso]

Boy that plenum was something, heres the reall kicker though. How about those coolant hoses down there in death valley. By the way if u can invest in an entire hose kit. When I changed about 6 hoses and a thermostat, I spent about 300 in parts..........more can sometimes be less in the Q world.

True.... I think the key is when going into "death valley" is to remove the fuel rail (or just loosen and move it) and remove those middle runners...

By the way Wes, which side do you find more difficult to remove the plugs? Driver or passenger side?

its hard for me to say... I would probably say the drivers side is worse, but the back plug on the passenger side really sucks to get at.

[Americain]

Finished. The remaining four spark plugs (driver'side) went in today. It had to be done today as it was a confluence of a precious day off from work and mild 60+ degree weather. These temps wouldn't last much longer so today was D-Day. Elwesso's tutorial at Q45.org made it much easier than it would be going in blind. Thanks Wes. I will say it one more time...THIS IS A PAIN IN THE BUTT!!!! ARRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!! But it's done. Victory!

The only thing I need to do now is install the 5 pin DIN plug that qsiguy made up for me. This will allow me to connect my Ipod to the Bose sound system in the car. That won't take me more than an hour or so.

[Haitian_King]

Sounds like you're making a lot of headway. Congrats. I wish I knew what the damn hell I was doing. I've just been looking into the engine bay and scratching my head.