Where should i go for my VCG + spark plugs replacement?

A Q45 forum / Cima forum for the President of Infiniti's lineup. Brought to you by Infiniti Parts USA, your OEM source for Q45 parts!
User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

i need to get my VCG replaced for my car & i've called some local shops around my area & even the infiniti dealership for some price quotes. First shop told me an estimate of around $600-700 just for the VCG. Second shop quoted me around $400 (if i bring in my own parts) - $600 at the most for VCG + spark plugs (added on $25 more). Third shop quoted me $300 for labor + parts (he said i can bring in my own parts if its cheaper that way), this was also just for the VCG. The dealer, i just called to get quotes on the gaskets which came out to about $40/ea. So to me, my best bet would be either the second shop which was gonna be a VCG + spark plug job or the third shop which is the $300 + parts. What do you guys think? what are the usual prices a VCG + spark plug job go for?


User avatar
Q451990
Moderator
Posts: 11030
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
Location: Columbia, SC
Contact:

Post

What year of Q are we talking about? Please update your profile...

You can probably save money on the parts by ordering from Infiniti of Scottsdale, or one of the other online parts places. The last time I looked trademotion had messed up the valve cover gasket part of their database, showing tubes of RTV for everything (but that only applies to the 90-93 Q45) - so you may have to call them. http://www.infinitpartsusa.com

In terms of the shops... do you trust them all equally? I'd put a lot of weight on who I think would do the best job.

Heath

life602
Posts: 49
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:37 pm
Car: 2002 infiniti q45
Location: youngtown,arizona

Post

yeah bro look at the shop reviews it will give u alot of backfeed info bro..google them or if u have a smart phone use ur gps thing and type the name of the shop on the search columb or use yelp

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

Q451990 wrote:What year of Q are we talking about? Please update your profile...

You can probably save money on the parts by ordering from Infiniti of Scottsdale, or one of the other online parts places. The last time I looked trademotion had messed up the valve cover gasket part of their database, showing tubes of RTV for everything (but that only applies to the 90-93 Q45) - so you may have to call them. http://www.infinitpartsusa.com

In terms of the shops... do you trust them all equally? I'd put a lot of weight on who I think would do the best job.

Heath
We're talking about a 99 Q. Sorry I'll update it ASAP! Yeah I know I can save money that way. I just need to know what parts are needed for this job. The best quote I got for the VCG + spark plugs was $495 + whatever cost the plugs are (going with NGK platinums).

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

life602 wrote:yeah bro look at the shop reviews it will give u alot of backfeed info bro..google them or if u have a smart phone use ur gps thing and type the name of the shop on the search columb or use yelp
Thanks life602. I'll lookout up.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3255
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: '21 Nissan Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
'05 Nissan X-Terra S 4x4
'97 Infiniti Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
'84 Nissan 300ZX (Original Owner)
'16 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power & 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Where are you located? Maybe someone on the board can steer you in the right direction to a local shop that we've done business with in the past.

The hook up on Infinti of Scotsdale will save you $$,they sell factory parts for less via mail order.

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

BadQ45t wrote:Where are you located? Maybe someone on the board can steer you in the right direction to a local shop that we've done business with in the past.

The hook up on Infinti of Scotsdale will save you $$,they sell factory parts for less via mail order.
I'm located in hawaii. I need the hook up! :dblthumb:

BadQ45t
Posts: 3255
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: '21 Nissan Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
'05 Nissan X-Terra S 4x4
'97 Infiniti Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
'84 Nissan 300ZX (Original Owner)
'16 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power & 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

Lucky dog, wish I knew a mechanic in Hawaii :).

Well I would be for sure you will get much better prices from everythinginfiniti for the parts. I have bought brakes, mats, plugs, etc from them and paid 1/3 to 1/2 of my local dealerships.

User avatar
Q451990
Moderator
Posts: 11030
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
Location: Columbia, SC
Contact:

Post

naes wrote:I'm located in hawaii.
Pay my airfare and hotel bill and I'll come there and change them for you :biggrin:

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

Q451990 wrote:
naes wrote:I'm located in hawaii.
Pay my airfare and hotel bill and I'll come there and change them for you :biggrin:
haha :chuckle:
BadQ45t wrote:Lucky dog, wish I knew a mechanic in Hawaii :).

Well I would be for sure you will get much better prices from everythinginfiniti for the parts. I have bought brakes, mats, plugs, etc from them and paid 1/3 to 1/2 of my local dealerships.
i wish you knew a mechanic also so you could recommend me! :yesnod hah shipping would be cheaper or something?
& what parts would i need for this type of job (vcg + spark plugs)? I know spark plugs & the VC gasket, but what else would i need. maybe i can order the parts i need & just pay labor.

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

So i made an appointment to get my VCG & spark plugs done in next month! I got quoted $600 at a local shop. Spoke with the owner over the phone & he's been in the business for a long time & had the best customer service & seemed super legit. I'm gonna check out the shop this week to see if its as good as he seems. But what do ya'll think of the quote i got?

User avatar
Q451990
Moderator
Posts: 11030
Joined: Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:21 am
Car: 1990 Q45 - 118K, 2022 Toyota 4 Runner, 2004 Frontier M/T - 108K, 2012 Xterra (Mom's), 2023 Rogue (Inlaws)
Location: Columbia, SC
Contact:

Post

Sounds pretty reasonable if he's using factory parts and doing a good job... especially for Hawaii prices.

Heath

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

Imma check on the shop tomorrow afternoon. I'll update ya'll after i get back.

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

So i checked out the shop & the owner there is legit. Hella cool fella that was willing to check out my car & answering all my questions. Great customer service as well. Im scheduled next week in the morning to get my VCG + spark plugs done.

User avatar
naes
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:02 am
Car: 1999 Infiniti Q45
Location: Hawaii

Post

So i got my VCG's, spark plugs, and an oil change done today from this local mechanic i found all for $590 including a discount & im definitely going back to this dude for all my engine fix ups. Now the car's running alot better now.


Return to “Q45 Forum / Cima Forum”