the Q is on life support

[jimmys G50]

I've had my '93 Q since January 2005 and it's never had any REALLY serious problems. The TPS along with the fuel injectors have been problematic and I didn't think they would be detrimental to my car's health.

So a few weeks ago my Q has been noticeably rough. I thought automatically it was the fuel injectors (no noise from the fuel pump and spark plugs can't be the culprit). I told my mechanic, who is also my father, the deal and he's like "Your car gives me a headache."

I called the dealership shortly after and asked for prices for fuel injectors... $187. And if I get the list price about $175. I looked some more and like 2 weeks ago found Bosch injectors for like $130. I told my father again and he says "Don't buy them yet, we have to make sure the injectors are the problem."

A week passes and I have to move my car because of street cleaning. I try to use the remote start, it didn't start. I thought "OK, maybe it was out of range." I try to start it with the key, it cranks but no start. WTF??? I try again, no good. My heart starts pounding and I call my father. He tells me to sit tight and he'll be there soon.

My father arrives nearly an hour later. He cranks the engine for like 5 seconds, still nothing. He plays with the throttle and turns the key and after like 1 minute of trying it starts... BUT it's shaking vigorously. He revs the motor and lets go of the throttle. As soon as that happens the motor almost shuts off. He revs the motor some more and after another minute of nervous waiting he says "Sh*t. Dammit. Oh sh*t. It's the f*cking fuel injectors." A few more seconds pass and I remind him of the Bosch injectors and he replies with "Nesh, I don't think its worth putting a few hundred dollars into this thing." He does have a point, my Q isn't exactly in mint shape.

To move the Q we push it with his '99 Caravan across the street. The future doesn't look so bright for the Q. Right now it's sitting, slowly dying and the brakes are rusting. So now I've got to shop around for a new car. My father mentioned a '98 A4 Quattro stick that a very close friend is selling.

If anyone has comments or suggestions, reply. I've been in a depressing mood ever since the cancer struck.

[Jesda]

Save money on parts!!!http://www.everythinginfiniti.com/

Test your injectors:http://www.q45.org/ohminjectors.html

[miata007]

By the way, how do you measure the resistance of each fuel injector. I looked at the link with pics but still confused. I saw there was a connector for you to probe(or something). Does the car have to be running?

Thanks!

007

[jimmys G50]

I checked the fuel injectors before and at least 4 of them were out of spec.And the car does not have to be running because when you disconnect the wire harness for the injectors, it cannot start.

[jimmys G50]

Oh, and a little buyer's guide tip for those who want a G50: make sure the Q you want is in super shape, don't be like me. I bought mine for $2000 and it's been one headahce after another. Also, make sure you can afford the parts, another one of my mistakes.

[elwesso]

Hes right.... when the injector connector is unplugged the car wont start....

Its IMPORTANT that nothing in the car be on (doors not open, stereo on, etc) because it will change the resisitance readings.... They will all be off by the same value....

Thats good advice though Jimmy.... Early Q just are becoming more and more stupid to dump money into unless theyre in really good shape, either cosmetic or mechanical... Im convinced ive gotta have at least one of those about as good as one can expect to really consider putting more money into it.....

[jimmys G50]

UPDATE: The Q is still sitting. My cousin Nick suggested that he buy it and "try" to fix it and sell it. I told him the laundry list of problems the Q has along with the labor involved. This was the end of the conversation. An Audi as the next car is becoming more plausible. Anyone know any forums for Audis that I can reach besides AudiWorld.com?

[Rex]

Wow, hope it's a new Audi. From what I've (most of have all heard it), it will make best friends with a local mechanic.

Did you have a chance to ohm the injectors, there's a how to http://q45.org/ohminjectors.html

[miata007]

I am still not clear in measuring the fuel injector resistance. I am assuming each fuel injector has two wires. One is power and one is ground. Do I just measure the resistance across it? I can do it at the connector? Mine is a 97 Y33, should the FSM have the info on the connector?

I have posted my car wire was chewed off by field mice. Anyway, on Wednesday I was able to look at my co-worker's car. It turned out the wires were connected to the two knock sensors. As a result, I will have to remove the plenum in order to get to the cables. So at the same time, I like to check the fuel injectors, coils, oil leaks, hoses, wires and etc at this time. In the FSM that I recently purchased, there isn't much details on how to remove the plenum. So I am gonna go slow and take some pics. I had took some already but need to find a site to host them before I can post them here.

Thanks for you help. Hope you guys have a good Thanksgiving!

007

[jimmys G50]

Yeah right, the Q probably sent someone's kid at the dealership through college.

[maxnix]

So now I've got to shop around for a new car. My father mentioned a '98 A4 Quattro stick that a very close friend is selling.

So your father prefers the fire to the frying pan? He might be in over his head. If you can't take care of the Q, definitely get rid of it while it is still worth a little something.

Yeah right, the Q probably sent someone's kid at the dealership through college.

Well, the Audi will get him through Med school.

[Jesda]

Old Qs will thin your wallet. Audis will put you into bankruptcy. They so freaking gorgeous though! And the interiors are world class. Unfortunately, here in the US, the dealers are worthless. Get a good European auto mechanic and enjoy the ride, if you can afford it.

[DrewQ45]

Old Qs will thin your wallet. Audis will put you into bankruptcy. They so freaking gorgeous though! And the interiors are world class. Unfortunately, here in the US, the dealers are worthless. Get a good European auto mechanic and enjoy the ride, if you can afford it.

Jesda, you are right about the Audis. They make some of the best lookin/ best shaped cars on the road... absolutely beautiful, but I'm scared of them.... with bad reliablity, it's like being in love with a beautiful gold-diggin chick. The Q is also beautiful... G-50s being sexy older ladies with class. They will still cost you, but not as much.

...Drew...

[jimmys G50]

Well my father has been a mechanic for like 20 years and the shop he used to work at specialized in European cars. We had an '86 5000, it was so loyal to us and we beat the hell out of it. I can see why people argue that Audis aren't reliable but you know what? If something breaks, its not gonna cost me as much as the Q.

[elwesso]

However the reliability issue isnt the same with nissan and audi..... Some audi's are really reliable and cheap, others are really expensive...

Across the board, id argue that over 10 years of nissans/infinitis, they are cheaper to own and buy parts for.