Pulling the engine FX35. Any suggested parts while I'm at it?

4

4x4 Nut

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Location
OH
Car
2004 FX35 AWD
Hello, I recently purchased a 2004 FX35 AWD with 249K & in need of repairs. The vehicle itself is in very nice condition & clean. The front U-joint on the front driveshaft wore out & the owner didn't know it until the shaft exited the yoke while running down interstate. The shaft flopping around broke the trans bell housing & in turn the engine oil pan boss supports that bolt to the bell. I'm pulling the engine right now & have found a used bell housing, hoping to weld the oil pan (I have a TIG welder), & will install new driveshaft. I'll of course look everything over such as belts, pulleys, water pump, etc... and if needed, replace while the engine is out. I'm also going to be doing the following items.
Trans fluid & filter
Transfer case fluid
F&R diff fluids
Check suspension- ball joints, struts, steering, etc...
Check brakes (probably flush some fresh fluid through too)

I'm curious if there might be any other common things I should give attention too. Any improvements that would be recommended. I did see a thread that cold air intake isn't really beneficial, but a spacer & exhaust might be. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for any help & advise. This is my first Infinity, but so far I think I'm going to like it.
 
Your gonna do the work to pull an engine with 249k and then put it back in the car!?

Dude pick up a newer/lower mileage VQ for a couple grand and save yourself the hassle.

I would also do Long Tube Headers while the engine is out, since access would be so easy. Later on its next to impossible to do...
 
As long as this engine is in good running order I don't see a reason to replace it- even if the miles are high. I'm going to check the bearings while the pan is off & probably look up at the cylinder walls if visible, but if those are good, it'll go back in. Thinking about doing a water pump & timing chains though.

I think I'll pass on headers. I'd be open to small things, but for me, I don't need to drop 1000+ into headers. Thanks for the reply though.
 
Can you do a compression test? I would just to be safe. And check the valve covers, that's common cause of leaks and on an engine that old and with that many miles, definitely something to check. Too bad you can't see if it's consuming oil or not, that isn't uncommon on VQ's. A VQ35DE can be had for ~$1K? It's a lot of money, but it's money you may be spend anyways shortly after putting an engine with 249K back in. I suppose if you don't mind pulling the motor twice, it's not a big deal. But since you don't really know the history of those 249K and the previous owner didn't even know his driveshaft was shot; I'd be hesitant about how well he maintained the car.
 
Sold my 2004 FX35 back in 08' with 105,000 because it was burning oil pretty good. I would check that engine real good before deciding to fix or replace it
 
Update- The FX has been setting most of this time waiting for me to put some time in on it. A few weeks ago I dropped the engine/ trans out & separated everything. I'm currently searching for a bell housing, so if anyone has or knows of a yard that would have one for sale please let me know. I'd appreciate it.

I pulled the engine oil pan & also the rear most rod bearing cap. The crank journal is beautiful yet- looks like factory polish. The bearings aren't bad, but do show some wear so I'll slip in a new set of rod bearings. Also going to put in a timing chain set. Hopefully I can find a bell housing soon as I'd like to have it running in the next couple weeks. Here's some pics.

Dropping engine, trans, & case as an assembly.
12122727_10153605705106142_2436304150449425750_n.jpg


---------- Post added at 11:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:25 PM ----------

The guilty culprit- front driveshaft U-joint wore out & decided to exit it's operating position. Knocked a nice big chunk out of bell housing.

12088326_10153605711756142_5647448810617221882_n.jpg


---------- Post added at 11:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 PM ----------

On another note, all of the suspension, steering, & wheel bearings are nice & tight. Only thing I've found is the steering shaft U-joint has some tightness to it & is going to be replaced. I'm going to have some of the underbody parts blasted & powder coated because of a touch of rust on some of them. All fluids will be changed. Should be in good shape soon.
 
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