Hey folks,

I was blessed with a 1998 Acura RL SE several months ago, and need some advice on how to maintain it. Nothing is mechanically faulty, so I would like to take a preventive approach. I know the timing belt was replaced shortly before I received the car. What are some things I need to have checked, flushed, etc?

I have made a list of several things I would like to have done to soothe my OCD, let me know what you think: replace control arm bushings, replace engine mounts, flush radiator fluid, flush power steering fluid, drain & refill transmission fluid.

 

I think control arm + mounts are if you really are OCD, you will notice when they start to wear and can fix pretty quickly. The flushes sound like a good idea, that is what i did when i bought my 02 RL with 68k miles.

Trans Flush
Coolant Flush
Oil Change + Oil Filter after I ran Gumout System Cleaner in my tank(some people think its snake oil, i have seen difference with a borescope).
New Air Filter
PCV Valve
Try to find out last time it has had a tune up, plugs + wires + distributor cap + rotors, etc.
Check Tires

I actually have to get a timing belt kit done this summer, parts 230$ and labor 300$, not bad for the whole kit, But yours is done already so that is good.

 

Thank you for the response. It's nice to get information from someone in the same situation. I will wait for the bushings and mounts. I am the first owner of this car to use synthetic oil and premium fuel, so I would guess that helps. I purchased a bottle of Techron concentrate, and will use it shortly before my next oil change. The car runs very smoothly, but my goal is to get it running like a brand new car again.

 

Previous owner here. Make sure you get the differential flushed. Yes, it's a front wheel drive car with a differential, many people neglect it.

 

Ken1997TL, I'm flattered to have someone as well known in this forum as yourself respond to my post. Nonetheless, I'm glad you said that. A family member told me that this car doesn't have a differential. I will make sure to have the differential flushed as well.

When I initially received this car, I vowed to only have it worked on at the Acura dealership. I've kept my word with only one exception. Looking at the online estimates for this stuff at the dealership, I'm not financially prepared to do it all at once, so this is certainly a work in progress.

Thank you all for taking the time to help novices like me.

 

Walsh1996, maybe look around in your near area for top rated mechanics, I use to have my RL serviced at Acura, but I found a bunch of top rated mechanics in my area from yelp + google reviews + facebook reviews, and prices are way cheaper, and they seem to care about the car and me more. Just an idea, if you prefer Acura that is fine, just from my personal experience I saved money and it made me feel like they really cared.

Also can save tons of money by doing some things yourself, such as all the flushes + filters can be done in a low amount of time and are very easy to do once you look up a view guides and watch some videos. Just another thought, if you have the time of course.

 

Thank you for the response, jaydubz. I will search for some quality mechanics in my area. I have always been under the biased assumption that "backyard mechanics" have a tendency to be more familiar with the Toyota Camry, Ford Taurus, etc., and don't know the RL like the dealership does. I will certainly get some recommendations from friends and go from there.

On related note: I said in a previous post that my ultimate goal was to get this car running like a brand new car again. Is this a reasonable goal for a 1998 Acura RL?

 

Sure, just depends how much money you want to put into it. With the timing belt + seals + water pump done recently, that helps a lot. Then getting a tune up like I said above, + the fluids will really make it running new. Maybe get a full car inspection for like 60-80 bucks to see what you need to worry about later, get suspension looked at and brakes.