Q45 questions

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Hey all,

Coming home to the USA in a few more months after 10 years here in Japan.

Looking at a reliable and decent looking car.

I can not stand US cars. And have been considering a Toyota Previa (I know.....but if I can get the Estima body kit I want it would look good)

Chevy Astro van....too damn big though.

Infiniti's are what I am looking at now.

M30J30 Q45

Not too keen on any of them, but have a decent deal on a 91 Q45 possibly in the works. What should I ask about? Is there any huge problems that may be lurking in the car?

Engine was swapped with a JDM VH45DE and only has 60,000 miles on it.

Just looking for info, opinions, anything that you can think of that might help me out.

Appreciate it.

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Sorry, by saying "I'm not too keen on any of them"

I mean I know squat about them, not that I don't like themI know all 3 are FR and have V engines. The 30's being V6 and the 45 being a V8...other than that.....I know nothing.

Going from S13 Silvia, RPS13 180SX and A31 Cefiro experience.

The Cefiro is basically a baby brother to the Q45, only it had a RB20DET in there.

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Start with the camshaft drive chain guides.

Was the engine switched at T3? If not, then you will want to know what was done to rehabilitate it before it was installed.

There is a ton of information in the previous posts here that will illustrate the concerns on each generation of Q45, and on each model run. Many of the issues are common to all cars in general.

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

What do you mean by T3?

Forgive me for not using the search button....lol...computer is a pile and the internet on the base over here is slower than a civic.

Post by **AZhitman** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Welcome, RedStage!!!

I'd prescribe the following:

Get a comfortable chair, your favorite beverage, a couple sammiches, and spend a whole day reading two forums:

Infiniti GeneralInfiniti Online Mechanic

Honestly, if you do so, and take some notes (or print out some good sections), you'll be AS informed (if not more so) than many dealer techs. I kid you not.

Let me know if you need anything, and Welcome to NICO!

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Thanks...been here for a bit under the 240SX.org forum.

Pretty daunting task...trying to decide on a used car. Glad that these forums are out there....will be digging through the old topics to see what I can get.

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

I concur........ You will go from knowing nothing to about everything in hours....... Its almost like a magical transformation

I sometimes go back and read all the other posts just to refresh my memory!!!!

And I can guarntee you that all your questions will be answered in the previous posts........

But here is a quick overview......

The 90-93 Qs had plastic timing chain guides, and eventually the teeth will wear out, causing the engine to basically self destruct..... At best, if the guides fail, you are looking at replacing a bent valve or 2, and at worst the engine could be completely shot!! But, most people get their guides updated (metal ones like in the 94-96) and have no problems...... Chances are, if the engine was replaced, the guides failed, and right now you would be driving a time bomb for the new engines guides to fail.... If it wasnt replaced at T3 (an independent Lexus/Infiniti shop, probably the best place in the country for older Qs), then the guides havent been updated on the new engine........ If you get the car, you wont want to drive it until you get the guides done (usually about a 1500-3000 job, depending on where you go)....... There have been too many early Qs shot because of this!!!

That is really the only major problem they face..... There are other problems, that you will discover after searching!!! Good luck!!!

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

OUCH.....

The previous owner before the seller is supposed to be an Academy Award winning actor. The car has racing suspension, exhuast and intake. Nice rims and looks clean as can be for a 91.

Hoping that this Actor paid for a good VH45DE. Trying to get more info out of the seller.

But those guides don't sound too friendly....thanks.

Post by **QShip** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

I think that very same car was posted by another member a few weeks ago.

It was on eBay.

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Found this one in Autotrader. California.Could be same one, but looked today in Ebay for Q45 stuff and it wasn't in there.

Post by **DAEDALUS** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Yeah, it was listed on Ebay as being located in Manhattan Beach, or thereabouts if I recall. I wish I had time to go take a look at it, since it's virtually right down the street from me. If you don't mind saying, I'm curious to know what you're paying for it. I recall it had some cool mods done.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Yes, this car was on ebay. It brought about $4,400.00 It is owned by a lawyer,and it is black, but was originally dark silver. The guy that owns it now bought it, but his wife thought it rode rough. He then bought a '94, I think. The guy knows very little about the car, or Infiniti's. I was impressed with the look of the car, and especially loked the 18" wheels and the aftermarket grille.

The big thing is try to find out who replaced the motor. Then talk to that guy, to see if the guides are steel.

Post by **Jesda** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

I'm not too keen on this 91 Q. Fuel injector replacement sounds urgent, and EXPENSIVE.

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Just talking to the owner right now.

He's in a bind to sell the car., nad can't wait til I get to Monterey in OCT-NOV timeframe.

Car is gorgeous though.

Might see what I can work out with him.

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

BTW....how hard is it to tell if the guides are steel or plastic?

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Email Jeff Williams about it..... He got a ton of information about this car from the owner!!!!

Post by **Q45Viper** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

About $700 just to look at the guides, better to track the history. You will also want to know about the transmission history. Histrory can many times be checked by entering the VIN in an Infiniti dealers computer, it should show all work done at any Infiniti dealer. As for the transmission...Has it been replaced or updated/modified with correct cooling. This is the only other major weak link. DO NOT believe those who tell you the chain guides are not a problem or that they can listen to the engine and tell you it is ok. There are legions of us here who heard that crap and then opened the engine to find a chain guide broken and hanging there. Which is still ok until that day it drops down into the engine internals. 5 seconds later..engine toast. At that point engine replacement or repair costs more than the car is worth. The two best things to do with these cars are the guides replacemant and a thorough transmission flush, to include dropping the transmission pan and replacing the filter and then adding an external cooler, simple and a couple hundred for the cooler. After that everything else is not really small change but not catastrophic from a dollar standpoint.

Post by **elwesso** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

There is always SOMETHING that can be done, but not necessarily needs to be done...... IE you COULD run on back knock sensors (like I am) or o2 sensors, but it wont run right and you wont get good fuel economy!!

If you want it to run perfect, then save some $$$.... if you dont care, do whats necessary and drive till she dies!!!

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

THat guy sent me abunch of pictures, and I posted some info on a previous forum.

Here is the ebay auction the car was on:http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...91664

Post by **RedStage** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

That's it!

I sent the owner a link to the NICO forums, told him there were a few people interested in the car.

He needs to sell now, and I'd love to but I just can't buy site unseen.

Post by **Jesda** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

Interesting that the popular cars in japan include tiny little boxes, like what we call the Toyota Scion xB and the Nissan Cube. They look like slammed Astro vans miniaturized into uselessness.

Post by **I30T** » Fri Aug 08, 2003 5:50 am

The Scions are like the G-Wagons made without class. It really is like the "Gen Y" Astro van. i hate it when people label the generation and make everyone think the Element is the greatest car ever made. I will personally beat the hell out of anyone i know that buys one of those assmobiles.

oh and by the way, here's the top-secret blueprint for the xB.

And on an on-topic note, if you want to find out more, howstuffworks.com is a godsend.

and good luck with Infiniti, you won't be disappointed.

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