So, uh...what am I in for? (1993 Q45)

[Brian576]

I needed a beater car and found a 1993 Q45. Three hundred and fifty Washingtons later, I owned a strong running Q. It needs a hood (previous owner scored an eight-point white tail buck), brakes all around, and it has an exhaust leak. It also seems to need some suspension bits like shocks and struts. So, with 175,000 miles, what other scary stuff can i expect to find? Parts are cheap, I was pleased to find, and it seems like it will be a really nice driver with a few hundred bucks and some busted knuckles. Also, the 4.5 makes excellent vroom noises .

[Q451990]

to NICO!

For that kind of $$ you can't go wrong. I'd start with changing all of your fluids... Suspension is a pretty big undertaking, but everything is pretty much available.

The timing chain guides may be an issue on your Q. 1994 was the first year with the metal backed ones. We have some reports of the 1993 having the updated guides, but there's no actual VIN cutoff or date to go by. You'll want to search the forum for "timing chain guides" and educate yourself on that.

Fuel pumps and their control module are another common failure item. If you hear something like a hive of bees behind your back seat - especially at idle with the tank under 1/4, it's time for a pump.

Others will add more, but that's the quick run-down.

Heath

[BadQ45t]

For the price you paid, I would just replace all the fluids, make sure the car is in safe running condition, and drive it until it drops. To start with those timing guides at this stage, it would cost you more for the parts than you just paid. There used to be a few members who do that job for a reasonable price, if your a great shade tree mechanic it could be a project for you, there are plenty of people who wrote up the procedure back in the day.

But if i were you, get it in running condition and enjoy whatever she has left in her.

[Haitian_King]

Cheap parts? Where!?

[szh]

The one major item that may cause you money heartaches is the transmission. If not looked after properly, 175k miles is quite high and the repair cost is near $3,000 (labor included in that).

I agree with the earlier post that you should change all fluids and then just enjoy the car till it stops working!

Z