looks good. considering one myself.

 

Changed my oil and replaced oil pan bolt

 

Any particular reason you replaced it? That's usually a lifetime item, no?

I changed the driver door leather armrest as it was bubbling. I also applied some rubber seal rejuvenator to all the seals in around the door ain't windows. This car is rubber seal galore hahaha

 

I replaced all 4 tires today, but now I need to get my struts replaced 😕

 

[QUOTE=projektvertx;16096131]Any particular reason you replaced it? That's usually a lifetime item, no?

Seems previous owner rounded the bolt pretty good. I tried everything to get it off even one of those sockets that are supposed to grip anything and nada. Took it to Pep Boys (last resort because I like to change my oil myself, heard horror stories) and they had a tough time getting it off as well. They said it wasn't that it was torqued on too tight, it was that the bolt was rounded so much. Just had them change the oil and put in a new plug. They used Penzoil semi-synthetic and a Puralator One filter that I supplied. Will change back to Castrol next oil change.

 

[QUOTE=Walfunk;16097990]Gotcha, that makes sense. My dad had a horror story happen with him with his oil drain plug at a Honda dealer the one time he gave it to them for an oil change so I know what you mean lol

 

Changed the oil and oil filter today with Mobil 1 synthetic oil $12 + Wix oil filter $6 + washer $.45 = $18.45 for an oil change and knowing the job was done right. I couldn't break open the Transfer Case fill bolt with my 3/8 drive, so going to buy a breaker bar and hopefully get that job done soon.

 

How did you get such a heavy discount? The heaviest discounted rate I'm able to get is 15$ for 5 quarts of Mobil1 synthetic lol

 

Got a breaker bar so was able to finish the transfer case fluid change today.

Regarding the discount, Mobil 1 has a rebate and Walmart has it on sale.
has 5-Quart Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Various Grades) on sale for $22.88 - $12 Rebate = $10.88
5-Quart Mobil 1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil (Various Grades) $10.90 after $12 Rebate + Free Store Pickup
https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/fp/318636

 

 

I've had this ugly crack/hole in my bumper ever since I bought this RL about a month ago:


No idea what happened, but it's pretty small so this weekend I went to work trying to use some bodyfill to fix it up:


Some primer on after sanding the bodyfill smooth:


Oh damn I got the wrong paint color:


I kind of expected this. My RL has "Desert Mist Metallic" paint. Duplicolor doesn't seem to produce this color anymore, and Honda seems to be using "Naples Gold" now which looks nearly identical, so I assumed there was a chance they just renamed the color for some reason. Oh well. I ordered some new paint online in the right color and I'll redo everything this weekend. For now I still think it looks better than that horrible hole.

 

Had an upholsterer replace the three segments of driver's seat leather on the bottom cushion due to a hole in the leather.

 

I popped in a 2017 navigation disk today!

0Good work!!! Hopefully the new color matches when you order it!!

Ahh yes I remember that discount!

What was the cost? i'd love to see these installed.

 

Hey y’all. Finally got a my hands on an 05 RL with 130k miles almost a month ago. So glad I didn’t go with the E320. So far I have gotten the starter and power steering replaced. At the moment she’s at the shop again to replace the valve and cam gaskets. Should be picking it up from the shop today. I want to change the spark plugs myself when I get her back. Any idea which ones are better? Acura has two to offer. Thanks y’all!

Mark Anthony

 

Welcome!! I opted for NGK plugs from advanced auto. They rand up at almost 50$ but with the coupons they have I remember paying about 35$

 

Trust me, you made the right choice. Don't know what year E320 you were looking it at but I had a 2003 that was nothing but a money pit. Transmission, sunroof, power steering, and air conditioning all went. Bulbs blew all the time, Suspension problems. Finally, the infrared key stopped working with the car and I was told, I would have to buy the key ($400), then have car towed to dealership so that they could pair the key to the car. I just got rid of that pos. My RL is the best car I have ever owned. You will be very happy with it. Almost all the features of a "higher end" luxury car without the high maintenance costs and frustration.

 

Seems like NGK is the way to go based on other threads I’ve read. My aunt works for HONDA so I can get a discount.

Brotha, I totally get it! Had a 13 528 and already had to replace the tranny! It literally cost me my arms and legs!!! So got ride of that piece of trash and just got the awesome RL. My very first car was an Acura Legend. I loved that car. And I have an S2K as my weekend car. Definitely staying on the HONDA/ACURA wagon from now on. I am so happy I didn’t go with the 08 E320 even though it had really low mileage.

Thanks for the response fellas.

 

Just picked up a daily to take over for the daily...

 

Wtfffffff, I've been wondering what you've been up to haha. Project time for the RL??

 

UPDATE: VOIFO A119S went back to seller, and got WheelWitness 2K dash cam instead... love it!!!

 

Just finally picked up the RL from the shop. Took longer due to ordering the parts. So they also changed the plugs for the delay. I guess I’ll just return the ones I bought.

 

So I got inspired by this. I didn't take the snow foam canon, but Menard's had some A/C condenser coil cleaner on heavy discount since they are switching over to winter stock. Let me tell you, I didn't think it was as dirty as it actually would be!!!

 

Mine was so dirty for a 180k miles car and i got great results after cleaning it. My AC cools faster, also might help for pulling more air and help engine not to overheat.

 

I can vouch for the AC cooling faster, definitely feels that way. I did the condenser cleaning on my dad's car without telling him while I did his oil change. The first thing he asked me about over the phone the next day was something to the effect of
"Did you do anything with the A/C in the car? It's colder than it used to be!!"

 

Haven't been up to much recently, the RL has just been chugging away with daily duty so it's hard to get anything done without having some sort of down time unfortunately.

As for the TL, she needs some love before the RL gets some downtime for the winter. Didn't get much love from the previous owner & has 300+KM, so you could imagine it's far from perfect...but it's a 6spd & only set me back $500

Hopefully should be an eventful winter..

 

Shit, if you find another deal like that, send it my way! Well worth the trip to Toronto for that kind of deal lol

 

Added a dash cam. Replaced the wiper blades.

 

I've been thinking about a dash cam for a while. What did you wind up going with?

 

I went with a Vantrue R3, and a DashCamStore power kit which plugs into an existing fuse slot. I was already looking to get a 2-camera unit for the car that my newly licensed driver drives (Vantrue N2 Pro), and there was a sale on a second camera so I went with the R3 for my car). I got the install kit to avoid splicing and wiring, and since my accessory plug is already occupied (I guess I could have used the one in the console, come to think of it, but I only just thought of that right this second, so it's too late and kit helps me hide all the wires).

There's just so much craziness on the roads these days that I felt the need to have the cam. (Red Light running, stop sign running, weaving, slow trucks, bad roads, and the like). That said, I have yet to look at any of the video, though, so have no impressions yet.

 

Dashcams are 100% worth it. Even if it's an el-cheapo one, it's still better than nothing! Like you said in today's crazyness... No wonder the Russians get them!

 

I need to bite the bullet on a dash cam..

 

Changed the ATF fluid today. Drove car on ramps. Removed one clip to the underbody panel. I did not remove the whole panel, instead I used a funnel to guide the fluid to drain in my pan. Worked great and no spillage. It drained about 3 to 3.1 quarts. Refilled through the dipstick with a turkey baster and a funnel with 3 quarts of Honda DW1. I will probably try Maxlife next.

 

I love the funnel idea!!

 

Yup, way better than removing and reinstalling the whole panel. Makes the job easy and quick!

 

Replaced a 7 year-old OEM battery with another OEM battery (at the dealer). If they last that long, definitely worth the $100 installed cost.

Alos had them install some LED DRL/High Beam bulbs, but I'm getting the DRL error and they are on full brightness 100% of the time, so need to figure out the fix.

This is the model I had installed:

 

That is a really good lifespan on the oem battery!

 

Changed the oil and filter today, good thing I did, only about 3 quarts left in it, yikes.
Running Quaker State 5-20w 100% Synthentic, ran it in the hondoo with good results, have to keep an eye on the oil level.

 

Flushed the power steering fluid today. While, I was at it, I also replaced the o ring since it is easy with the fluid drained. Probably didn't to but for $2, why not? Used about 3.5 bottles of Honda PS fluid. $6 a bottle at my local dealership. Also replaced the reservoir, I'll clean the old one and switch out the new one on the next flush. Car steering is smooth! Look at old fluid vs new.

 

How hard was it to do the power steering flush? Can you post a DYI? Thanks!

 

It was very easy to do. Shouldn't take longer than an hour max.

watch this. similar process.


Things needed.
1. 4 bottles of OEM Honda Power Steering Fluid. Only use Honda OEM fluid.
2. 3 ft or slightly longer 3/4" hose. I bought this at Advanced Autoparts.
3. Vacuum cap part # 47395.
4. Towels
5. Pliers

1. Ensure car is parked on a level surface
2. Open hood and remove the plastic panel with a phillip screwdriver
3. On the PS reservoir you will find that there are two hoses connected. The top hose is the smaller hose, and this is called the return hose. You need to disconnect this hose from the reservoir and plug the reservoir with the vacuum cap.
4. Connect the return line hose with the 3/4" hose. The end of the 3/4 hose should connect to an oil pan or whatever it is that will collect the old oil.
5. Steering wheel in the middle. turn on car for about four to five seconds. Then Turn off car.
6. Check your reservoir and it should be empty. Pour new fluid in to the very top.
7. Turn car on and quickly turn steering wheel all the way to the left, immediately turn car off. do this is fast as possible. With engine off turn the steering wheel to center position.
8. Repeat steps 6 and 7, but this time turn the steering wheel all the way to the left.
9. By now most if not all of the old fluid is drained. Fill the reservoir with new fluid to the half mark. Start car for about 3 seconds and then turn off.
10. Remove the 3/4 hose from the return line hose, and remove the vacuum cap, connect the return line hose back on the reservoir.
11. fill the resevoir with new fluid to the top.
12. start engine. with engine on, turn wheel all the way to the left and the. turn all the way to the right. do this once more.
13. check the level of the reservoir. add fluid so thay it is between the low and top line.

much easier to understand by watching the youtube video above.