Our Q45 is dying please advise some help

[J.Newtron]

Hello everyone,

My name is Scott and I am new to your forum.My girlfriend and I read this forum to help us fix our 1992 Q45 which has been nothing but a money pit.

We are having a problem with the car not starting.

I have replaced the MAF a few months ago and also changed the plugs.We have heard a humming noise from the rear for some time and my girlfriend read that this could be the fuel pump.

Well we were at the store last night and when we went to the car it would not start.It sounds like it wants to catch but does not.

The car will not pass inspection from what the mechanic tells us. He said it is most likely the C. Converter since the idle is very jerky and gas runs through it like water.

We had to have the car towed to our house last night and need to figure out something since we have 5 kids.

Any idea?

I know I am not the best at describing issues so if you need more please post and I will answer the best I can.

All I know is she loves the car and wants to keep it, but we do not have that kind of money to sink into it.

Thank you.Scott

[Q_SHIP]

Unless you KNOW that the timing guides have been replaced, I would sell the car. It's just not the one for you IMO.

The humming is the fuel pump. That could be what is not letting the car start as well. Most likely you will now need to replace the fuel pump control unit as well. This is the reason you want to catch the fuel pump before it totally fails.

[96Qowner]

You also need a qualified Infiniti technician, not the mechanic you're using - the catalytic converter is not a problem. Bring it to:

LA Rue Automotive11518 North Garden Street, Houston, TX 77071(713) 774-0161

The fuel pump will be in the neighborhood of $400 - 500 installed. But you also have a bigger problem, plastic-backed timing chain guides. That's a $2000 fix. If you don't replace them, one of these days they'll fail and drive a valve into a piston = toasted engine. Read this:

zerothread?id=25201

Bring it to La Rue. They know what they're doing.

[Ozzie]

If you have mechanical knowledge, you can probably change your timing chain guides yourself.

This will still cost you in the neighbourhood of $400-$500 for the parts.Slightly used ones here....zerothread/225960 for $250, with an oil pump too!

Your mechanic is an idiot, only looking to fleece you of your money, by doing expensive yet "easy" work.

Fuel pump and Fuel Pump Control Unit (FPCU) are probably the cause of your Q not starting at the moment. Try looking through the classifieds section for these parts, or try member "PopPop" as he seems to have a lot of parts.See here zerothread/162550

Send him an email at [email protected], and see how much he can do the FP and FPCU for you.Good luck!

[DrewQ45]

I have a few fuel pump control units (FPCU) if you need. One is from a 92'.

...Drew...

[92Q45guy]

I know how it is. The Q45 is a outstanding car. But, It's very high maintence. The Q's have there problems. Chain guides, fuel injectors, knock sensors, transmission's, to name a few. If I was not a Do it your self type. I would'nt have bought it. If I were you I would consider getting another car. Or you will find yourself spending a lot more money on it.

[mikebestes]

Find the parts you need right here on this site. You will save a lot of money and someone will have want you need. I have a 92 Q45 a and there have been consistent problems, but I have slowly done little things here and there thanks to encouragement and advice to others on this site. If it was not for this site I think I would have sold it two years ago. I recently found a $500+ part on this site for $100. Chain guides are mandatory, an external transmission cooler is necessary. This car could be considered a money pit and you may want to sell it, however start with a new mechanic. There are mechanics out there that can read your level of desparation and really take advantage of it. The difference between your situation and mine is the fact that when I bought mine nearly five years ago at an auction for $4900 (Blue book was about 9K at the time) I did my research and knew that I would have to put some money into it. I have averaged about $1200 a year keeping it running pretty well and to me that beats a $400+ car payment each month. Basically, it sounds like you need a little encouragement and it sound like your car may be about $2,000 from being where you want it to be. With these cars we all come to a crossroad, "is it worth it to me to keep this thing or not?" I have been there. Be thankful that you do not have an active suspension like I do. In closing, dump that loser mechanic. I have found that it takes a special mechanic to work on these cars and they are out there, you just need to find them. I have found a few mechanics that have simply said, "I do not have much knowledge about these cars." Those are the ones you can trust. When looking for a mechanic treat it as a job interview. I had one guy tell me that he would work on it and he told me what he would charge, but when asked if he had ever worked on one he honetly said "no." The mechanics are out there and it is unfortunate that yours, at least at this time a "gold digger." Good luck!

[maxnix]

Jeez, guys. The truth doth smarteth.