Just purchased 1997 RL for cheap Possible Blown Headgasket
#1
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Just purchased 1997 RL for cheap Possible Blown Headgasket
Hi I recently purchased a 1997 RL this weekend, previous owner says headgasket is blown(white smoke coming out of exhaust). I have been looking at the service manual and noticed that there is an area in the intake manifold where coolant runs, could the intake manifold gasket have gone? And is there a way I could check to see which would be bad, ex. compression check? All input greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Jordan
Thanks, Jordan
#2
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After further thought over the week I have decided I will replace the motor for a lower mileage one (current one has 287000 miles). What maintenance should I perform on the replacement motor while it is out of the car, aside from the timing belt and water pump? This will be my first swap, so any tips and hints on removing it would be appreciated. I haven't been able to find any information on how to replace the motor aside from the service manual and it being done on legends.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#3
Water pump, timing belt, all drive belts, upper and lower radiator hoses, radiator, type ii coolant, clean/replace egr valve and pipe, clean IM, replace rings on fuel injectors only use premium fuel!
The following 2 users liked this post by jmsmiff:
99blackhatch (08-14-2013),
Whitey_1997TL (08-13-2013)
#4
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
^^^
He summed it up nicely.
might be helpful...
Interchangeable parts between Legends and RL..
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5-sw...ts-t11288.html
Safety info about doing swaps in these cars...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/safety...ing-t6530.html
This is for swapping a 3.5RL engine into a 91-95 Legend, but since the engine bays are kind of the same, I figured this might help a little bit...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5l-s...ion-t7602.html
He summed it up nicely.
might be helpful...
Interchangeable parts between Legends and RL..
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5-sw...ts-t11288.html
Safety info about doing swaps in these cars...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/safety...ing-t6530.html
This is for swapping a 3.5RL engine into a 91-95 Legend, but since the engine bays are kind of the same, I figured this might help a little bit...
http://forums.acuralegend.org/3-5l-s...ion-t7602.html
The following users liked this post:
Whitey_1997TL (08-14-2013)
#5
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Thankyou both for the tips and links. I wont necessarily be going at this right away, but all this info will definately come in handy when I do.
Just a few questions,
Do these transmissions use atf-z1 like the TLs do?
Would it be a bad idea to break loose the engine mounts and other parts now to make sure I dont have any trouble later on?
Just a few questions,
Do these transmissions use atf-z1 like the TLs do?
Would it be a bad idea to break loose the engine mounts and other parts now to make sure I dont have any trouble later on?
#6
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Good preparation is always a good idea. Start hitting them with PB Blaster and let it soak in so when it comes time to break into it all, hopefully not much will be seized up.
As for the ATF... no clue. I'm about to start looking into that as well
As for the ATF... no clue. I'm about to start looking into that as well
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Whitey_1997TL (08-22-2013)
#7
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Transmission is identical to the 1st gen 3.2 TL's.
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Whitey_1997TL (08-22-2013)
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#8
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Bought a replacement motor today with 100k for $300 plus tax has everything that would be on the motor except one exhaust manifold, alternator, ac compressor, and power steering pump.
This is going to be a fun project.
This is going to be a fun project.
#9
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
ok... so you bought an engine for $300 and the car for how much?
Looks like you're following me in some ways on my first RL build. Congrats.
Looks like you're following me in some ways on my first RL build. Congrats.
#11
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Any pictures of this monster.
What are your plans for it? I love the facelift on the 99-04, but when i stop and look at my old '96 from time to time, i liked the front end on that one as well...
Lower it and wheels and tint can make HUGE difference.
What are your plans for it? I love the facelift on the 99-04, but when i stop and look at my old '96 from time to time, i liked the front end on that one as well...
Lower it and wheels and tint can make HUGE difference.
#13
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#14
If you need some parts, let me know. I parted out a 96 RL a few years ago and have some leftovers. Need to clean out the garage.... It's either that or it goes to the landfill... I am in NH as well, near Nashua...
#15
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Reminds me of my old black one... what great and loyal cars these are.
I remember redoing the intake manifold as well. Not too difficult, but well worth it after all the work done to get it road legal.
Keep asking questions if you need help.
I remember redoing the intake manifold as well. Not too difficult, but well worth it after all the work done to get it road legal.
Keep asking questions if you need help.
#16
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Thanks SeamusNH I'll let you know if I need anything. As far as used parts go the only things I need are some decent wheel wells to patch in.
99BlackHatch as far as the front motor mounts go, do I Ioosen the bolts that mount to the subframe or the ones visible from the wheelwell?
Thanks, Jordan
99BlackHatch as far as the front motor mounts go, do I Ioosen the bolts that mount to the subframe or the ones visible from the wheelwell?
Thanks, Jordan
#17
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Couldn't tell you honestly. I've never had to swap an engine on this chassis.
I'd imagine the links i posted might give some more insight...
I'd imagine the links i posted might give some more insight...
#18
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Removed the motor and transmission tonight, regretfully I didn't remove the y-pipe due to not being able to undo the bolts and the exhaust caught on both motor mounts and ruined them, hopefully I can find some used ones for a decent price. Going to start transferring parts tomorrow night.
#19
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Did the replacement motor come with mounts as well?
If not... go online and i think you can buy hardened mounts as well. If you're this far into it, might as well but new ones to ensure that everything is good and new too... and the transmission mount as well.
Just to give you peace of mind.
If not... go online and i think you can buy hardened mounts as well. If you're this far into it, might as well but new ones to ensure that everything is good and new too... and the transmission mount as well.
Just to give you peace of mind.
#20
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I'd go with new ones but the cheapest price I have found is $300 for just one mount. Thankfully there's some RLs nearby being parted out so I am going to contact a few see if they'll take $100 for a pair.
#21
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
Smart idea! what years are being parted out? I need to locate a 99-04 Acura grill.
#23
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Well I have found a few parts cars but they are all 99-2004 and the last section of the part numbers for the mounts are different, but since the other parts that attach to the mounts are the same I am going to go ahead and assume that the 99 and up is either an improved part or just renumbered.
#24
2004 Carbon Gray 3.5RL
I guess renumbered. Yeah. All the 99-04 grills should swap out
#25
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The motor has been installed as of Sunday afternoon and running. Replaced both main seals, filled the hydraulic motor mounts I ruined with poly urethane, changed the oil. Only things left to get the car back together is to put the left cv axle in and re attach the related components, and finish attaching vacuum lines.
I currently am having one issue with the motor, it sounds like one of the hydraulic vale tappets isn't filling with oil.
I currently am having one issue with the motor, it sounds like one of the hydraulic vale tappets isn't filling with oil.
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