new q owner check in

[bawats01]

Just wanted to check in. I bought a 90 Q45 w/ 156,000 miles about a month ago. I bought the car to run the tires off then junk it. Since then I've discovered that I really like the car, so I"m going to fix it up.

I really want to thank you all for such a great site. Your site made a big part in my decision to fix this car up. Another factor was the 310 hp (that's the same the IROC's rolled out of the factory with).

So far i've just done a few minor repairs to the car including new tie-rod end, adjusted the door hinges (had to take the fender off to do it), cleaned the MAF (didn't seem that dirty), cleaned the butterfly valve (that was very dirty), and adjusted the alternator's idler pully (who ever installed the belts last put the belt on under the pully instead of over!!! -- this completely got rid of my engine shake!!). I broke the bolt on the idler pully, the dealer wanted $22 for this, so I bought a bolt and nut from the local fastener shop; welded the nut on to the bolt where the ring holds it in the bracket; so I've got 55 cents in it (much better than $22 for a bolt.) Also the power steering pump hose went out about a week after I bought it. Dealer wanted $253 for this hose, hose and fitting shops said the ends were not reusable. So I used a grinder to cut the ends off and found a hose shop to crimp a new hose on the ends (cost $21.60).

I don't know what's next for it. I've recently discovered it needs upper links and probably struts. I think a wheel bearing went out yesterday (so that's probably next). It has wiring problems, I need the driver's side mirror, and the abs actuator is leaking (who would have guessed). Has anyone tried taking these apart and replacing o-rings? I may ask that in a separate post later when I'm ready to start dealing with that.

Thanks for all your help and expert advice.

[96Qowner]

Um ... no mention of the chain guides ...?



Otherwise, it's great to have you on NICO! Good job keeping the old girl together.

[bawats01]

Thanks for the welcome.

The chain guides have been on my mind daily. Right now i'm going to get the ride smoothed out and just baby the tach and gas pedal as much as i can before i start on the chain guides.

[maxnix]

No New Tiiming Chain Guides = No Ride

Welcome in and good luck restoring your Q45.

Kentucky has no metric bolts? I thought Toyota or Honda assembled there.
Modified by maxnix at 9:19 AM 3/8/2007

[lino]

Welcome to Nico! You may have scared off a few people by telling them your intentions of destroying a Q loool. I'm glad you enjoy the car and it seems that you have the one most important gift and advantage in being to maintain this car which is your creative ability to work on this car and find ways to save $$$. Things can add up rather quickly with a used car and parts at the dealer can be on the expensive side as you have encountered in your 2 mentioned experiences. The members on this board are A+ and the knowledge is strong. Don't forget to visit : http://www.q45.org

If you don't have one or haven't already done so, download the Factory Service Manual from the following link. It's for a 1994, but is still very helpful:http://www.phatg20.net/modules...id=62

Share some pics of your car if you can.

[mxr662]

Welcome to NICO

....I bought the car to run the tires off then junk it.....

I bought mine with same idea. But a couple of days before picking it up I did a Google search to find out how to fix the wining noise from my speakers. I came across this forum and the found the chain guide articles. I replaced the chain guides a few weeks ago and it was not that hard due to the vast amount of info on this forum. I really enjoy driving my Q and have not felt this way about a car since high school. Most of the time I enjoy working on it. Water pump, all belts, master cylinder, passenger side valve cover seal have been done. Waiting on transmission filter and gasket from Joe at http://www.infinitipartsusa.com. Then transmission will be BG flushed and hopefully put some miles on it.

Andy