I just did my first oil change, 3,250 miles, used Mobil 1 5W30. Man, this car uses the thinnest oil I've ever seen - I felt like I was changing the engine's water! :-)

Checking out the engine, I noticed some nasty scruff marks on the plastic shroud covering the engine! I'm not sure if these were on the car when I picked it up or where they came from - but it looks easy enough to simply replace the plastic shroud - anyone have any idea how much this piece of plastic might cost??

 

I'll reply to myself :-)

I called an Acura dealer and the plastic engine shroud can be replaced for a mere $54 - not bad!

 

Any idea what happened?

(Sorry you missed the meet, the place you picked was PERFECT!!!

:-jon

 

Funny story on the meet... I had to miss it because I had to do some work in Middletown that morning, but on the way back I drove up the Pike around 12:30-1:00pm and completely forgot about the meet.

Then in Newington I saw a TLS on the other side of the highway - cool! Then another one, and another one, and it finally dawned on me that you guys were probably just leaving Hooters! :-)

Next time!

I also think I figured out what caused the scruff marks, unfortunately....

After I changed the oil I took the car around the block and checked for any leaks. That's when I noticed the scuff marks on the shroud.

Later, I found a cap from one of the oil containers in my grass, and I think what must have happened is when I put the last quart in, I got a call from work.

After the call I probably left the cap on top of the engine and slammed the hood down (like a dummy) and drove around the block that way. The cap bounced around between the top of the hood and the engine, and it caused the scuff marks.

There is no damage, its just noticable. $54 lesson