Noob member recent new owner '93 Q45

[Whiskeyfox]

Hey folks, checking in to introduce myself... whiskeyfox here and just picked up a decent '93 Q45 with only 135k miles. looks good, probably needs a new fuel pump - been reading a lot about that on these forums and figured it'd be a good idea to sign up. i've got to tell you how impressed i am with its power. i've never owned a v-8, and this machine just has so much - i'm much more conservative now in my years, but it is tempting to hit the throttle a little now and then, and this car just takes off! My sister had one of these back in the day when they first came out, never thought'd i end up with one myself. anyhow, i'm on the fence about whether or not to keep her and fix her up or pass her on?

[Infinitiguy19]

Well if you just bought her and all you "Think" it need is a fuel pump then to me its a keeper.

But if you don't have full Infiniti service records from day one and a Car fax report I recommend you get them.

But why did you sister give up here Q45?

What else do you think maybe wrong with the car no matter how small it may be?

What is the build date of your Q45?

Welcome to NICO.

[maxnix]

Welcome to NICO, WF.

Be sure to read the timing chain guide issue in the articles sticky above.

Sure would be a shame to lose such a nice ride.
Modified by maxnix at 7:21 PM 1/5/2009

[Whiskeyfox]

I believe i'm the 3rd owner, contrary to what i was originally told, although i'm not entirely sure - no carfax or service records... the engine compartment looks untouched - all panels and hose are original and complete. the a/c was retrofitted and restored at a proported $2500 cost. it hasn't really been messed with too much. build date says 11/92, title says 1993. it runs rough at idle, humming noise from trunk.

needs:

idles rough/humming noise - fuel pump - fpcu?

i think the ac is overcharged: compressor turns on no cold air, gauge reads red/yellow on my cheap freon psi check.

needs fan speed resistor - only blows on full and to restore: an ac control unit that has a working lcd display.

steering wheel telescoping function doesn't work

coolant temp gauge doesn't work

clunking sound on bumps from left front suspension - had been in a curb wreck...

leather rips on front driver's seat

don't know if sony 10 cd changer works, left door speaker is much quieter than the rest

the right side passenger mirror has been replaced with another nissan mirror that doesn't match but is close and is electronically functional.

cover on driver's vanity mirror is present but broken off, and visor unit is stiff

antenna is stuck in up position

brake pads running thin, tires are acceptable

so, other than that it's pretty much solid, what do you folks think?

[Infinitiguy19]

Well its fixable and ironic that we both have the same build date and problems at least with the fuel pump and injectors.

But I have a ton of those parts that you might need iff interested.

[96'er]

Welcome WF.

Download the FSM and familiarize yourself with it and the knowledge base. All of the things you listed with your vehicle are relatively easy and minor fixes.

This car is a joy to own and drive, but requires a fair amount of TLC.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/

http://www.nicoclub.com/subpag...l#q45

[Whiskeyfox]

Ok, let's get some work done...

first things first: this coming weekend i plan to follow tangalora's instructions on replacing the fuel pump. The article makes mention of pictures of every step but i have had no luck at all finding them...

additionally, when i first started looking up the fuel pump issue on the net i did find one how to article that had pictures of what to do once you had the fuel pump assembly out of the car... i thought i bookmarked it, but apparently i didn't... does anyone have the link to that forum post?

and while i'm getting things mechanically in order, is there a forum section on the water coolant temp gauge not working? i'm assuming i need to replace a sending unit or something, but i don't really know where to start on this one, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the warm welcome,Whiskeyfox
Modified by Whiskeyfox at 10:48 PM 12/26/2009

[Raxephon]

Did you get the green one off craigslist in the Jax area for $600?

[Whiskeyfox]

no, but i saw that one... mine is champaigne colored and in MUCH better condition than that one.

[maxnix]

Timing chain guides should be priority #1 as if they fail, all else will be lost as far as the engine goes.

[Whiskeyfox]

ok, i believe you about the timing chain guides, and have already looked on rock auto for prices, but so far as i know there's no indication that there's anything wrong with them at this point - whereas the fuel pump problem is quite evident.

are there any telltale signs that i can look for to move the chain guides up on the priority list?

also, is there a kit that contains all the timing chain guides in one set? i've been looking and it seems like you have to buy each guide separately...

WF

[Infinitiguy19]

Well I doubt you will have to worry about the chain guides as long as you have the service history that says your engine was taken apart and rehabbed like mine.

But I would call Infiniti of Scottsdale, AZ and see what they have for prices because I know they have a kit but look on http://infinitipartsusa.com and see what they got.

And FP is fixable, Engine with bad timing: not easily fixable or replaceable.

[Whiskeyfox]

is there a way to get the service history from the dealer? or would that be in a carfax report?

WF

[Infinitiguy19]

Yea just call your local dealer up with a VIN or go to your local dealer and prove that your the owner of the car [With the registration of the vehicle] a d then review it.

If your local dealer can't get the service history because the car has never been there then get a Carfax from http://carfax.com [For $30 and you can check as many cars as you own too] But when you get the car fax then you can see the dealers it was at then call them up and get the service history.

Good Luck

[Whiskeyfox]

I must say that you've been really helpful, however you have scared me to death about this timing guides issue... I have very little disposable income, and cannot afford to be doing all these repairs... the more i think about it, the more i am inclined to possibly let her go... i'm on the fence. I'll probably get the title in the mail in the next day or two, and then make my decision... i've seen what all is required to do the chain guides, and i don't have a lot of the tools and an additional $350 bucks for the parts. fuel pump - ok, i can do that, but all the work for the guides is a little much, doncha think?

WF

[Infinitiguy19]

Well if it was me I would use the second car [If you have one] and park the Q till you can save up enough money to do the job.

Or you can sell it and get your money back if you can, But I don't know what you paid for it.

Or you can drive it till it dies from chain guide death and part it out and make more money, but this route will take time.

Honestly I think your fine though, I would just drive it.

And since you need a new fuel pump you may need a new fuel pump controller because the current pump will kill it because its drawing too much power.

Unless you are good with electronics and can solder in a new ground wire.

[Raxephon]

no, but i saw that one... mine is champaigne colored and in MUCH better condition than that one.

I certainly hope so.

I went and checked out the green one, ran away after the first 5 minutes of looking it over.

[maxnix]

If your local dealer can't get the service history because the car has never been there then get a Carfax

A carfax report and the Infiniti dealer performed service history are two exclusive and separate sources of different information types.

You have to assume your guides have not been replaced unless you have visual confrmation that they have or the Infiniti service history says they have been replaced.

If you sink $300 into your fuel pump and FPCU then your engine craters, you have just wasted your funds and labor.
Modified by maxnix at 10:58 AM 1/6/2009

[Q45tech]

" have very little disposable income, and cannot afford to be doing all these repairs... the more i think about it, the more i am inclined to possibly let her go"

Buying 16 year old $65,000 [corrected for inflation] foreign lux V8 means that someone should have spent $32,000 MINIMUM in previous years of ownership.

Every 90-93 Q we see needs $5,000 in repairs NOW many need $10,000 some need $12,000..........................just to restore the mechanical electrical systems back to brand new performance.

[Whiskeyfox]

Well, i got the service records today from the dealer, and they go through about 58k miles, with no mention of the timing chain guides... although, the guy who owned it took it in for every little nit pick thing you can imagine, lol.

anyways, my mechanic friend tried to get my AC going today--- we evacuated what was in there and started over... we found out it has no leak, but just like it was before we started, the system went to 70 psi on the low side, and 100psi on the high side... compressor kicks in, but still no AC anyhow, he thinks the expansion valve is stuck open... do you verteran Q45ers think that my problem is an open expansion valve and that replacing it would fix the problem?

EDIT: pricing of the expansion valve has led to a revelation... apparently, this part is the same as on a whole slew of different vehicles... cross referencing parts like this might save some money in the long run, going to the store or the salvage yard and telling the vendor the part is from a pathfinder, say, might yield a lower asking price...?thanks again, folks!

WF

Modified by Whiskeyfox at 5:43 PM 1/6/2009

Modified by Whiskeyfox at 5:46 PM 1/6/2009
Modified by Whiskeyfox at 7:13 PM 1/6/2009