Ok guys, she's gettin a sort-of internal makeover Monday. My Q45 will be in the shop all week next week. Here's what I'm doing:
1. Replace front brake calipers. (I bought Fred's old ones)2. Bleed brake system and refill with Valvoline Synpower DOT 3/43. Check cooling system for leaks. Replace upper and lower radiator hoses. Replace thermostat and upper and lower thermostat housing.4. Flush cooling system and refill with 70% distilled water, 1 bottle of Redline Wetter Water, and the rest Nissan Green antifreeze.5. Replace cooling fan clutch and cooling fan blade.6. Remove and clean plenum. Replace plenum gaskets.7. Remove and clean throttle body. Replace TB gasket.8. Remove and clean IAC valve. Replace IAC Valve gasket.9. Remove and clean EGR Tube and clean the backpressure valve. Replace EGR Valve Gasket.10. Replace O2 sensors.11. Replace front tie-rod ends and rack boots.12. Replace oil filter. Pour in one bottle of Auto-Rx along with oil.
Am I missing anything? Whaddya think? Any Q's? suggestions?
Nick
Q goes to mechanic Monday
"For optimum results, store Auto-Rx® at room temperature or a bit higher for four hours prior to use to ensure the liquid is at room temperature or a bit higher. Once it mixes with your engine oil, the temperature won't matter."
This part of the instructions is easy to overlook. Not sure how much difference it makes. I just tossed my bottle on the rear seat window ledge and in the Texas heat it was plenty warm when I added it.
I don't know how well you know the folks working on your car - but if not well I would be tempted to pour the Auto-Rx in myself.
I was headed down to Houston when I added the Auto-Rx to my J30 and did not have time to change the filter myself so I stopped at a quick oil change place. The guys had a set routine and just a filter change threw them for a loop. While I was busy asking the fellar what aired up the tires to not bother cause they were how I wanted them I almost missed the filler back up with oil guy trying to put in oil even though I had just explained I was just changing the filter and adding the Auto-Rx.
Miscommunication happens.
This part of the instructions is easy to overlook. Not sure how much difference it makes. I just tossed my bottle on the rear seat window ledge and in the Texas heat it was plenty warm when I added it.
I don't know how well you know the folks working on your car - but if not well I would be tempted to pour the Auto-Rx in myself.
I was headed down to Houston when I added the Auto-Rx to my J30 and did not have time to change the filter myself so I stopped at a quick oil change place. The guys had a set routine and just a filter change threw them for a loop. While I was busy asking the fellar what aired up the tires to not bother cause they were how I wanted them I almost missed the filler back up with oil guy trying to put in oil even though I had just explained I was just changing the filter and adding the Auto-Rx.
Miscommunication happens.
Thanks for the input so far. I'm only going to replace the hoses that really need replacing as ALL under plenum hoses were replaced last August. I'll check the knock sensors and harness for wear also. As far as my mechanic goes, he has been working on my car since it came off extended warranty at 100k and the rest is history. He loves my car which is hard to find in a mechanic these days. So to answer your question, I COMPLETELY trust him.
AZ, so far the parts cost has hit only 800 bucks. This is only because Fred gave me a wicked good deal on the calipers and Joe at Scottsdale is the man! I don't know how much labor will be as it's one of those things where I tell him: "you can have my car for a week. take your time and fix everything. if you see any problems i didn't list call me." then curtis calls me and we go from there. So far I'm estimating labor at around 500 but it could be as high as 900...we'll see.
Anyway, I have a feeling my car will feel like a new machine after all this work.
Nick
AZ, so far the parts cost has hit only 800 bucks. This is only because Fred gave me a wicked good deal on the calipers and Joe at Scottsdale is the man! I don't know how much labor will be as it's one of those things where I tell him: "you can have my car for a week. take your time and fix everything. if you see any problems i didn't list call me." then curtis calls me and we go from there. So far I'm estimating labor at around 500 but it could be as high as 900...we'll see.
Anyway, I have a feeling my car will feel like a new machine after all this work.
Nick
Update:
Well I was supposed to pick my car up this evening but Curtis called this morning and we talked about some things. Turns out the Tstat housing labor is going to be more than expected. Also, he said that some hoses ARE broken and will need replacing. So I called around and of course Wichita has nothing in the way of Infiniti parts (the dealer had 1 coolant hose). I just ordered just north of 200 bucks worth of stuff from Joe and had it overnighted (thanks joe!!). Hopefully, everything will now be fine but this 500 dollar labor estimate is looking more like 900 now including fluids. This will mean that this summer I will have spent $1,259 on parts and about $1,000 on labor. This comes to grand total summer project of $2,259.
I hope I don't get any more bad phone calls today.
Nick
Well I was supposed to pick my car up this evening but Curtis called this morning and we talked about some things. Turns out the Tstat housing labor is going to be more than expected. Also, he said that some hoses ARE broken and will need replacing. So I called around and of course Wichita has nothing in the way of Infiniti parts (the dealer had 1 coolant hose). I just ordered just north of 200 bucks worth of stuff from Joe and had it overnighted (thanks joe!!). Hopefully, everything will now be fine but this 500 dollar labor estimate is looking more like 900 now including fluids. This will mean that this summer I will have spent $1,259 on parts and about $1,000 on labor. This comes to grand total summer project of $2,259.
I hope I don't get any more bad phone calls today.
Nick
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Q45tech
- Moderator
- Posts: 14296
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2002 3:19 am
- Car: 1990 Q45 342,400 miles 22 years ownership with original engine
1995 G20t 5 speed 334,000 miles 16" 2002 wheels - 205/50/16 Sr20ve vvl
Hardly worth servicing the old Q unless you spend $3,000 per year [just kidding] but even with my discounts [same as members get from Joe] and all the used parts I feel safe in wasting the time to use as replacements............I still spend $1500 per year in new parts. Things that were change in the 80-120k range are failing again at 253k...............but 120-170k parts life seems good to me.Problem with a 200,000 mile parts car is what is still good enough to trust.But I am amazed that the steering rack and pump are still as built from 1989. Same with all seat motors and controls, brake calipers, AC evaporator, and most rear suspension swing arms.
So far this year I have only spent $570 in parts need to order some new tires for the new 16" wheels...........only $450 left after that, mmmmmmmm what will it be. transmission mount or Motor mounts.....decisions decisions. Needs plugs in 7,000 miles, the oxygen sensors have 133,000 miles, drivers window starting to get noisey..............never ending project.
So far this year I have only spent $570 in parts need to order some new tires for the new 16" wheels...........only $450 left after that, mmmmmmmm what will it be. transmission mount or Motor mounts.....decisions decisions. Needs plugs in 7,000 miles, the oxygen sensors have 133,000 miles, drivers window starting to get noisey..............never ending project.
Yeah I know what you mean, in addition to this project I replaced the Power Steering Pump, MAF, Coolant Temp Sensors and all 4 shocks in January. Last September I bought a new transmission that has a lifetime warranty. So if you don't count my $2,000 job last August I still spent $4800 this year on my car. And that doesn't count a lot of little thing I've done.Q45tech wrote:Hardly worth servicing the old Q unless you spend $3,000 per year [just kidding].
Q45tech wrote:Needs plugs in 7,000 miles, the oxygen sensors have 133,000 miles, drivers window starting to get noisey..............never ending project.
You said it best, it IS a never-ending project but I hope I can take a 3 or 4-month break after tomorrow. Suspension is for Christmas time (i.e. upper links, tension rods, fstb, rear sway bar, new bushings, etc etc.)
Nick
Well just talked to my mechanic and it seems like everything else is going well. The engine is in very good shape he says and he sees very little wear on the rings. He says the new calipers I got are in very nice condition (thanks Fred ) and one spark plug looked a little worn when replaced. I'm glad I'm getting OEM's back in there. I should pick up my car tomorrow night. I'll let you know how everything turns out.
Nick
) and one spark plug looked a little worn when replaced. I'm glad I'm getting OEM's back in there. I should pick up my car tomorrow night. I'll let you know how everything turns out.Nick
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greg_atlanta
- Posts: 1111
- Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 4:37 pm
- Car: 2008 G35 Journey Sedan, silver/black (no sunroof), 1992 Q45 (in a past life)
Q45tech wrote:So far this year I have only spent $570 in parts
I've only spent $204 in parts & labor this year (well... add $225 for tires I purchased in October and installed in May). Two more oil changes and one rotate/balance and I'm done for the year.
Need hoses, plugs, knock sensors, etc. at some point.... but taking a year off from repairs to pay off some of the old repairs sitting on credit cards. Don't feel safe taking a long road trip but car is fine for running around town.
You know preventative maintenance is paying off when you can drive a 11 year old car with 188K and do nothing but change the oil for a whole year.
I'm driving 1800 miles from Spokane WA to St Louis MO this weekend. In fact, I'm moving.
Had my car examined for 3000 miles of driving. I've been through three oil changes and 10,000 miles since I bought the car in April at 169k. Suspension is in great shape, full alignment done, replaced tires, replaced fuel pump and control module, replaced air filter, replaced fuel filter, replaced AC compressor, replaced AC high pressure relay, replaced AC fuses, recharged R12 (got R12 for free).
Basic stuff. Oh and front brake pads coming this weekend. Its been so damn hot and I dont wanna install them. Other than that, I'm good to go! w00t! Meet me in St Louis!
Had my car examined for 3000 miles of driving. I've been through three oil changes and 10,000 miles since I bought the car in April at 169k. Suspension is in great shape, full alignment done, replaced tires, replaced fuel pump and control module, replaced air filter, replaced fuel filter, replaced AC compressor, replaced AC high pressure relay, replaced AC fuses, recharged R12 (got R12 for free).
Basic stuff. Oh and front brake pads coming this weekend. Its been so damn hot and I dont wanna install them. Other than that, I'm good to go! w00t! Meet me in St Louis!