Q45 91 overheating help

[Showtimesky]

I have a 91 q45 78000 miles and today it overheated. It was making a hissing sound a few days ago and I thought it was the tires at first and so did my friend. Smoking from the engine, center back. It has plenty of coolant and I haven't noticed any leaks. I called a infiniti dealer and they said just bring it it. I'm a woman and I know they will give me the run around. I was told it could be the radiator, belts or thermostat.

Can I drive it w/the heat on when the engine it cool to have it repaired? Any repair shops in the Atlanta area that I can trust? I saw a post w/T3 but no other info, phone numbers.

Any help will be appreciated.

[96Qowner]

You're in luck! One of the best Q45 shops in the country is in Smyrna. Give them a call. They won't take unfair advantage of you - it's a well respected shop.

T3 Automotive Limited5322 South Cobb Drive SoutheastSmyrna, GA 30080(404) 794-7700

[Showtimesky]

Wow thanks a lot. I'll call them.

Any ideas on what my cars problem might be?

[maxnix]

If the cooling system has not been R&R, it's probably time. Very difficult for us to guess with no maintenance history provided.

One large caution. Do not drive it if the coolant indicator moves towards the hot range!!

Flatbed it over to prevent damage. No towing!
Modified by maxnix at 4:01 PM 6/11/2007

[Showtimesky]

I'll have it flat bed.

[maxnix]

I'll have it flat bed.

A safe and prudent decision.

[Q451990]

With "smoke" coming from that area, I'm going to bet it's an under-plenum hose. You're in good hands with T3. They will take good care of you - and work on more 1st generation Q45s than probably any other repair facility in the US if not the world.

Please keep us posted on what happens - and welcome to NICO!

Heath

[Showtimesky]

With "smoke" coming from that area, I'm going to bet it's an under-plenum hose. You're in good hands with T3. They will take good care of you - and work on more 1st generation Q45s than probably any other repair facility in the US if not the world.

Please keep us posted on what happens - and welcome to NICO!

Heath

^^ I will and thanks again.

[3Q Jay]

You're in luck! One of the best Q45 shops in the country is in Smyrna. Give them a call. They won't take unfair advantage of you - it's a well respected shop.

T3 Automotive Limited5322 South Cobb Drive SoutheastSmyrna, GA 30080(404) 794-7700

showtime, i agree with all said here and T3 is very well respected. since you have a '91, they will in due diligence STRONGLY recommend that you replace your timing chain guides. that is no sales job--assuming yours have not been done--then you DO need to de-fuse the time bomb inside your engine. documented time and time again.

[Showtimesky]

showtime, i agree with all said here and T3 is very well respected. since you have a '91, they will in due diligence STRONGLY recommend that you replace your timing chain guides. that is no sales job--assuming yours have not been done--then you DO need to de-fuse the time bomb inside your engine. documented time and time again.

Huh? is the time bomb the timing chain guides?

[bullittandy]

Yes, the chain guides can destroy the engine when they fail.

This board and T-3 are very festidious with maintaining these cars and T-3 is likely to recommend several procedures to correctly maintain your car. I mention this because you expressed concern about being taken advantage of-this is unlikely to happen at T-3 but it can sometimes get expensive to maintain an older Q.

[96Qowner]

Huh? is the time bomb the timing chain guides?

It's a genuine problem and has caused many engines to spontaneously blow. When the guides fail, the chain slips and the valves begin to hit the pistons - at great force - the engine is usually irreparable.

Go to Q45.org and read the section titled: Chain Guides (CRITICAL for 1990-1993):

http://www.q45.org/techhelp.html

So, don't be upset if/when T3 asks you about it. It is absolutely something you're gonna have to do if you want the car to be reliable and last much longer. Petroleum oil eats away at the plastic - it's as much a function of time as mileage. That plastic has been in there for 16 years.

Here's another old thread about NICO owners' experiences:

zerothread?id=12551
Modified by 96Qowner at 8:40 AM 6/12/2007

[Q451990]

Here's a good place to start learning about the chain guide issue... scroll down to the middle of the page.

http://www.q45.org/techhelp.html

Heath

[ScottJackson]

Yep, get them guides done ASAP! And it sounds like you have a vacuum leak. That's un-metered air entering the cylinders which means the fuel injectors aren't putting in enough fuel to compensate. When that happens you run very lean and that means you run very hot in the engine, cool in the exhaust. Running way rich has the opposite effect. Both the guides and under plenum hoses are labor intensive jobs, so don't be too shocked at the labor costs. However, both are critical and if the car is in decent shape (no matter the miles), it's worth it. Also, if all your injectors are good, you're in luck and NEVER EVER EVER put gas in it with ethanol of any concentration.

[Q45tech]

Please pause until the offical diagnosis..............I'm praying. Guides appear to be the least of its problems.

[ScottJackson]

true, don't do all that work until the motor is confirmed to still be in good shape (internally).

[Q451990]

Please pause until the offical diagnosis..............I'm praying. Guides appear to be the least of its problems.

Wow... that sounds ominous - especially for an engine with such low mileage.

Heath

[DrewQ45]

Wow... that sounds ominous - especially for an engine with such low mileage.

Heath

hmmm.... head gasket???

[Showtimesky]

With "smoke" coming from that area, I'm going to bet it's an under-plenum hose. You're in good hands with T3. They will take good care of you - and work on more 1st generation Q45s than probably any other repair facility in the US if not the world.

Please keep us posted on what happens - and welcome to NICO!

Heath

Bingo!

[maxnix]

Bingo!

OK, if it didn't overheat, on to the timing chain guides.

If your car is a keeper, tell 'em you have your big girl panties on and want to hear the whole truth about what will need attention sooner and later. That way you can budget and avoid car payments.

[Showtimesky]

Thanks guys and gals for all of your help. Yes T3 fixed my car and it was the plenum hoses and I'll take care of the other problems some other time. Thanks Q451990.

[maxnix]

You might well lose everthing if timing cahin guides are not checked and updated ASAP. It is a serious safety issue. Imagine having your engine seize while you are passing a truck on a two lane road.

There are no warning symptoms.

[Q451990]

Thanks guys and gals for all of your help. Yes T3 fixed my car and it was the plenum hoses and I'll take care of the other problems some other time. Thanks Q451990.

Thanks for letting us know! Please don't wait too long on those timing chain guides

Heath

[ScottJackson]

Yep, do those timing chain guides! Not next year, not next month. NOW, or as close to now as is humanly possible. Did you have knock sensors done while the plenum was off? Were all the injectors ohm tested?

[Q45tech]

Always remember it is not the repair shops fault if you buy a defective abused car that needs $10,000 worth of rehabilitation or if you don't spend the annual $2500-$3,000 in upkeep!

Owners use to American cars can have difficultly accepting that German and Japanese Lux Cars are expensive to maintain after 7 years and can cost as much to drive as a brand new midprices $28,000 US car.

You just trade the nominal 60 month payments for an almost equivalent amount in maintenace and repairs........you save on down payments, insurance and property taxes.