Fatfrii

so a few weeks ago i got a 2004 TL navi, aspec, package, AM, everything i dreamed of! but it has 93k miles. didn't pay much for it though. So i wanna ask all you TL fanatics what should i do to keep my TL healthy. it drives great right now by the way. should i go synthetic? 5w-20 is kinda thin what do you guys think about using something a lil bit thicker? lets hear what advice you all have

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

First, congrats on the purchase! Post pics!

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Second, you don't need synthetic oil, but you're more than free to use it. 5w-20 oil is fine, and you won't need to use any thicker oil.

For your car's mileage, I suggest a full seafoam treatment, and changing out your transmission fluid using the 3x3 method.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Here's the link with info on the seafoam treatment:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/107-diy-seafoam-3rd-gen-tl-06-5at-specifically-638069/

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Third, this would be beneficial as well:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/110-diy-guide-replacing-3rd-4th-gear-pressure-switch-3g-tl-2004-2006-a-729149/

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Hope all of this helps!

Fatfrii

thanx ALOT! but how do you post pics?

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Your welcome. This link should help you to post pics:

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-photograph-gallery-96/how-post-your-favorite-pics-avatar-556986/

TonemanTLS

Congrats on the purchase and welcome to AZine! at 100k get ready for the timing belt and water pump change along with the pulleys etc...after that you should be ok for another 100k

Fatfrii

iv been reading more about seafoam and i heard that it is recommended to change your spark plugs after? is this true? i was going to wait until i am due for an oil change but now i am thinking maybe i should wait till i need a tune up???

gotkilled

iTrader: (1)

dont forget the cabin filter and air filter. those things are usually neglected.

Fatfrii

yes sir, im already on top of the filters

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

check the power steering and brake fluid.

Thomasv

iTrader: (2)

very important that you call acura dealer 1800# to find out if your car is up to date on all recalls.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/3g-tl-service-department-aka-garage-questions-answers-check-here-first-553557/

Fatfrii

ok another quick Q...when i take the trunk mats out to wear the spare is showing there are a thick bundle of wires? they are grounded in to the car with a bolt...is this possibly a amp hook up? it goes to the battery so i am guessing that it might be. by the way the battery cover doesn't fit over the battery because of it. but also, i do have back up sensors it could be for that? any 1 have pics from a trunk with back up sensors?

pimpin-tl

Pictures help.

subinf

I recently switched to 5-40 synthetic oil.

Seafoam is easy and cheap.

You are approaching a big maintenance (105k) so keep that in mind

Fatfrii

ok ima have to make a photobucket account cuz its true threads are usless without pics ill get the pictures of the trunk wiring

but today i found out that i have a K&N filter so i cleaned it and it looked like it hadn't been changed...ever. it seriously looked like u submerged it in mud and then rolled it bugs for succulent crunchy texture. so its soakin in the water right now

cutting to the chase...I'm not buying the cleaning kit thats a joke, so what type of oil should i use to oil it? i know that power steering fluid is thin. what about
baby oil? my engine would smell good and i call the TL my baby lol

suggestions?

Fatfrii

whats the 105K maintenance

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Timing Belt/Water pump kit

eze18772

Merry Christmas to me, I'm now also a member of the TL club. Just got an '05 TL yesterday after trading in my old, reliable '97 CL that had 225K miles. My new TL has 99K miles but the 100K maintenance has already been done by the dealer. Thanks to all the knowledgeable members of this thread who help out us less knowledgeable Acura owners. Now I just gotta get the windows tinted and it'll be perfect.

pimpin-tl

You buy the oil that was made to go on the filter and not damage it. Get the cleaning kit.

pimpin-tl

Do moleskin on your window wipers right after it gets tinted, in a day or so after. See DIY here because your tint will get scratched fast.

Fatfrii

i really can't see wd-40 ruining the filter...any 1 try this out before?

Will Y.

Just use the K&N filter oil- it's $5-$7 at most auto parts stores for a bottle that will last a few years if used properly per instructions.

Welcome to AZ.

pimpin-tl

Hmm how about we put Transmission fluid in the engine or Engine oil in the tranny and see what happens. I mean they are both oils, it should work right?

WD40 or oil that is not designed to go on a filter could ruin the filter as it's not designed to be washed out with that oil, and could eat away at the material on the filter. You just bought a TL so you can afford to purchase a k&n kit. If not, then you shouldnt own a TL.

01tl4tl

buy a K&N cleaning kit for 10 bucks- it will service the filter 5 times!
so you can do it once or twice a year if desired- the advertising says 50kmiles between cleanings, based on paper air filters flow new compared to used k&n

Filter itself is good for 1 million miles- I have not heard any million mile drivers in a TL ...yet~

Water is to rinse the cleaner and old oil out- not as a cleaner itself
Use the special cleaner- then rinse fully, then reoil with the exact amount of oil!!!!
not the entire oil can like a neighbor did which caused huge problems as way too much oil got sucked into the engine on a dodge truck

Done per directions you will never have a problem

the kit is less than the paper filter you expected to replace,, so whats the issue?

Sub-- why the 40 oil?- something w 30 is pretty much the right mix for flow and protecting the parts on impact...but I dont have a gen3 book to check
Could cause oil pressure issues
If you lived in arizona I could see it~

subinf

Figured it wouldn't hurt. I used to work on a 2nd gen TL and the guy ran 5-50 forever...no issues.

Fatfrii

i said screw it...went to autozone a bought the recharge kit, they didnt sell oil buy it self.

Fatfrii

next issue...how much is the 105k maintinence????

subinf

Where in CA are you? Estimates seem to be above 1k

Fatfrii

id either go to metro acura, or acura of riverside

Fatfrii

ok here are pictures of the wiring in my trunk and the battery as well as other pics of my car just to show yall

pimpin-tl

That's factory wiring. Nothing aftermarket I see.