Hi everyone,
It's been a while since i posted a thread, but this is the place i turn for advice on my G.

So took my car to the dealer for the following

oil change
check for possible radiator leak
irregular start up(occasional drop in idle at start up leading to car turning off)

Dealer stats the following
1. It's not the radiator, it's the water pump. needs replacement
My question: should i also replace the timing chain, since i am in the process of replacing the water pump? I've heard its good practice to do so.

2. Dealer says could not mimic start up issue but tech checked thottle body and recommends replacement.
My Question: First of all i think the dealer is ridiculous for telling me to replace the throttle bodies which would cost around $600, as opposed to just cleaning. So,

I've read a hand full of thread posts about throttle body cleaning. can i really clean the throttle bodies without disconnecting he wire harness, and not have to perform an ecu reset?

Thanks All!

 

yes, just be gentle. disconnect the battery(neg) before you do anything though.

also - how did they determine your water pump to be bad?

 

ok, yea wasn't 100% sure, a lot of posts say different things. So to be safe i will do as you suggest.

I didn't really get into it with them, but for the $145 diagnostic charge it cost they better be right. I ordered the part from the dealer and having a good mechanic install.

 

Throtole body can be bad too depend on how many miles u have on those. I replace mine last year but I bought it used from a Nissan maxima since they are the same and only for $60

Look around usually they sell those for $150

 

The throttle body will not go bad 99.99998% of the time, the sensors, sure. Unless you practice sucking up birds, twigs and berries its not the actual TB. Its a very simple device.

 

I cant speak personally on the TB cleaning because I have never inspected and or cleaned the one on my car, but I have had many cars in the past in which ive cleaned them. Carb cleaner and or water . I would clean it first. Usually Ill spray some carb cleaner at partial throttle, then mist water (turns into steam once combusted) I have never had a problem in 16 years.

 

I wouldn't recommend that. This is an electronic throttle body, not a cable one. You need to use throttle body cleaner, not carb cleaner and you need to be extremely careful when you handle the thing. It can get real pissy if you don't follow the correct procedures for disconnecting it.

 

I stand corrected! I have heard about how finicky this TB is so disregard my advice on cleaning it.

 

I'd remove it to clean it. Throttle body cleaner and dont touch the butterfly unless you want to do the idle learning procedure.

 

How many miles are on the car? I would imagine timing chain replacement by dealer would be expensive

 

lots of advice, thanks everyone. Yea i have 89,000 miles. I was surprised the dealer did not recommend replacing the timing chain. Come to think of it i don't recall replacing the timing chain being required in any of the service schedules for the car.

If i don't disconnect the harness of the throttle body, disconnect the negative battery terminal, will that allow me to move the butterfly in the TB?

Oh, yea and the said my suspension compression rod bushings are cracked, and need to be replaced. Which i know is a common problem.(sucks cause my extended warranty just expired)

 

Well, timing chains are usually life of the motor and not part of regular maintainence like timing belts are. Usually the only time I have replaced a timing chain was if the motor was apart and I was there anyway, but with 89k miles...timing chain is fine.

Timing belts are usually 60k miles and a lot of people equate timing chains to the same repair interval which is not necessary.

I'd imagine it would be an expensive dealer job as well

 

Never heard of a timing chain going bad on the VQ motor (VQ30, VQ35, VQ40). It should last the life of the motor. The tensioner can go bad, but that easily accessed through a plate on the chain cover. Replace it only if it goes bad.

 

When the water pump on a VQ leaks, you will see a trail of coolant on the drivers side next to the A/C comp.

 

What year is your G? Even from dealer $600 for throttle body replacement sounds too much, it should be around $400 after core exchange.

If you want to clean the throttle body yourself, do it with caution. I suggest you read this thread before you clean your throttle body: High idle after TB cleaning