Ok, got my 04 RL today and I have a few indicators on:
SRS?
Check engine- most likely O2 sensor
Flashing D4 light- VSS most likely

Not sure what to do for the SRS but can i use an aftermarket O2 and VSS sensors?
How can I tell if the timing belt has been changed?

 

You can use aftermarket O2 sensors. Not sure about the VSS (I used OEM).
I'm pretty sure you can't tell if the timing belt has been changed just by looking at it. Is it a local buy? If so, check the local Acura dealers to see if they have anything on file or run a CarFax on it.

 

^^^^ Agreed. Timing belt and water pump should be on the CarFax. O2 is an easy fix as long as the bolts on the under side of the heat shield under the car aren't rusted out... IF it is the secondary O2. otherwise you're not in too much trouble.

 

This was not a local buy, it came from the midwest. I spoke to the dealer and he informed me that the PO put some stop leak in the radiator trying to fix a leaky radiator hose With that said, I don't wanna take any chances with that stuff clogging the water passages in the water pump. I'm gonna go ahead and have the wp/tb and drive belts changed.

 

Wow. Keep us updated with how things go sir. Best of luck and hopefully everything is all good

 

Is this the VSS for our car?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/96-99-00-01-...368da6&vxp=mtr

 

About the SRS light I recently had that happen to me everytime time somebody sat in the passanger seat it would come on after getting tired of resetting it, took mine in to local Acura dealership told me it was a buckle issue it happened to be under manufactures lifetime warranty had it replaced for free.

 

This


Call the local dealer give em your vin number and ask about the recall. Should be free.

Acura dealers are only allowed to give information to the owner that had the services performed unless you bring in your car for service proving it is your car with registration insurance. If not they will not give you maintainance info over the phone.

Check engine could be caused by the vss as well making the d4 light blink.

Dont start replacing parts until you know for sure thats what the problem is.

Does your speedo work? Youd be surprised how many other systmems depend on proper milage reading.

 

Ok, so I took the RL in for the 100k service. I got new wp,tb all drive belts and the upper/lower radiator hoses. The dealer also let me know that my oil leak was a rear main seal and it would cost $960 to repair I'd like to di this myself but I'd have to drop the entire tranny which I don't have the tools for. I also need a tranny mount, I can feel it rattle when it shifts.....

 

Oil in my overflow bottle I've never experienced anything like this with any of my Acuras

 

what like headgasket, or just something th dealer did?

 

Dealer says the PO put some kind of block seal and it happened to be oil based so that's why it's going to the overflow bottle. I asked if they could flush it out but the technician said its not a good idea

 

block seal in the coolant? why?

why exactly did he say it would be a bad idea to flush?

 

Apparently the PO tried to use some kind of sealant instead of replacing a leaky hose and it's quite possible she tried to do something about the rear main seal using something along the same lines. The tech says not to flush b/c it may uncover something

 

Well hey don't need to flush with some sort of chemical machinery, they can just drain and refill a couple of times. Did they say that was going to be a persistent problem?

 

Update! Turns out I have a bhg! That's why there was oil in the coolant; not from some mysterious "block sealant" as the dealership claims. I'm really frustrated b/c the dealer charged me all that money for a service that was worthless. Because of their misdiagnosis I wasted $900

 

Call the BBB and Call Acura customer serivce, tell them EVERYTHING...