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Well after 13 years I am back! I’m surprised my account was still here and I could log in. Long story short I joined originally back in 2010 when I was 19 years old and had a 2004 Base auto. Fast forward and I’m about to turn 33 this year and just picked up this 2004 TL 6 Speed for $500. It has 243k miles on it, no leaks surprisingly. This is going to be my autocross project car.
I didn’t take many pictures to start. I did do a couple videos. The interior was absolutely trashed so I spent 5 hours cleaning and gutting it the day I brought it home.
here she is:
here are some pictures of how bad the seats are. The backs had mold on them:
here is the video of the tear down:
https://youtu.be/Ge3cHqmCGzM
I will get some more pictures up soon to show current state. It had 5 codes thrown all relating to oxygen sensors so I have those on the way. The engine shakes bad on start up so I had originally thought it was a bad pcv valve or egr valve so I replaced both of those. While doing that I noticed the passenger side motor mount was completely shot so I think that’s my problem. Ordered that and it should be here in a couple days.
The headlights also don’t work. The previous owner said her mechanic told them it was because the entire fuse box needs replaced. Didn’t make sense to me so I will look into that. Needs new tires, could use brakes, some of the wheel studs are broken so I will have to replace those. The trunk latch release doesn’t work. Its missing lights for the license plate. Passenger mirror is damaged. Hood, roof, trunk, fenders all have faded paint. Rear bumper cover is scrapped and damaged.
I’m sure there are more issues but I plan to fix them all and turn this thing into a clean mean autocross machine!
I just need to know. HOW THE FUCK DO SEATS GET THAT BAD?
i should have taken more pictures of the interior because it was destroyed. The previous owner basically used it as a trash can. I filled my 96 gallon trash can.
Started cleaning some interior stuff. When I say pictures don’t do justice on how dirty this interior was I truly mean it. Years of caked dirt, grime, cigarette tar and ashes. Disgusting.
Well after 13 years I am back! I’m surprised my account was still here and I could log in. Long story short I joined originally back in 2010 when I was 19 years old and had a 2004 Base auto. Fast forward and I’m about to turn 33 this year and just picked up this 2004 TL 6 Speed for $500. It has 243k miles on it, no leaks surprisingly. This is going to be my autocross project car.
I didn’t take many pictures to start. I did do a couple videos. The interior was absolutely trashed so I spent 5 hours cleaning and gutting it the day I brought it hom
I will get some more pictures up soon to show current state. It had 5 codes thrown all relating to oxygen sensors so I have those on the way. The engine shakes bad on start up so I had originally thought it was a bad pcv valve or egr valve so I replaced both of those. While doing that I noticed the passenger side motor mount was completely shot so I think that’s my problem. Ordered that and it should be here in a couple days.
The headlights also don’t work. The previous owner said her mechanic told them it was because the entire fuse box needs replaced. Didn’t make sense to me so I will look into that. Needs new tires, could use brakes, some of the wheel studs are broken so I will have to replace those. The trunk latch release doesn’t work. Its missing lights for the license plate. Passenger mirror is damaged. Hood, roof, trunk, fenders all have faded paint. Rear bumper cover is scrapped and damaged.
I’m sure there are more issues but I plan to fix them all and turn this thing into a clean mean autocross machine!
You might want to think about replacing the whole engine. Obviously, I have no way of knowing, but I'd guess that the last time it was filled with fresh oil and a filter was 243k miles ago.
Still, $500 bucks is a great deal. If you're able to drive the car from the seller's house to yours, I'd say it's a pretty good deal.
Don't trip on the seats. You can find some at a junkyard and then if you want you can replace the leather or just get a seat cover.
One thing. If someone was murdered in a car, the seller is required to disclose that information to all potential buyers. So, I hope that motherfucker was upfront with you on that.
I'm a dumb fuck with psychological issues and I say the goofiest things, but I usually mix them with some serious thoughts. So, don't mind my idiocy.
the old mount had failed and the passenger side of the motor was actually 1/2”+ out of alignment with the new mount position. I’m certain this was what was causing the issue with the engine shaking on start up
Took the bumper off to start on the headlights and figuring out why those don’t work. Ordered new igniters and ballasts.
cleaned out the intake filter housing as well and decided to delete all the intake muffler piping. This is my 6th honda and it still amazes me the amount of intake piping these have to keep them quiet
It's not likely ALL your ignitors and ballasts are cooked...
also good to know, check your local LKQ...mine usually has at least 10 or 12 3G TL...
NEVER manual or type S but for things like headlights or tails etc etc.
Okay so I only ordered one ballast and igniter just to test if that was indeed the issue. I replaced the driver side and hooked everything back up and turned the lights on and the car lost power. Shit. I disconnected the battery, checked all wiring and fuses and then unplugged the hid light connector leaving only the side marker and drl’s connected. Turned headlights all the way on and the car maintained power. I turned the lights off and checked fuses again. No blown fuses. I replaced all the headlight fuses anyways. Connected hid connectors back and turned lights on. This time they both came on! I then turned them off and then back on again and only the driver side came back on. I couldn’t get the passenger back on. Now my plan is to replaced all fuses again and replaced the passenger side ballast, ignitor, and bulb and see what happens.
I know that it would be a hassle, but have you considered video recording the various important steps that you are partaking in as you clean and rebuild, replacing all the broken components of your project car? There are a lot of people who do this and upload it to Youtube and I watch this stuff all the time. I enjoy it and always learn something.
Obviously, you have your hands full (and they're very dirty hands) and therefore recording shit would be just another thing to occupy your mind. So, I understand if you're not inclined to do this. I just thought that it would be cool.
Well, I don't know how you'd check it but I once fried a few circuits on mine for weird shit like courtesy door lights etc etc when running speaker wire
and accidentally stripping and grounding something out.
I'm fairly certain a bunch of shit including headlight control run through that thing...probably an overly complicated control module but might be worth
checking to see if yours has an issue if the replacement other side headlight ballast/ignitor don't stop the fuse popping.
Nice find...$500...hell yeah, you'll have some fun with this thing for sure...
elbow grease restorations are my favorite...
Man, not me. Elbow grease is the part I loathe. I get off on the modifications. Upgraded fuel pump, injectors, boost controller (if the car is turbocharged), mandrel bent stainless steel exhaust from the downpipe to exhaust tips, CAI, High amperage alternator, large dry-cell battery, two or three amplifiers, CDT component's with subwoofer.
You get the picture. But If I have to clean the goddamn filth left over from the previous owner, I began to question the existence of God and whether life is worth living in this cold, cruel world. Haha.
This is one dirty ass mf'ing car man. It's amazing how you're able to clean it. And also amazing how well filth keeps things preserved.
No offense meant at all, BTW.
Thanks everyone! Yeah I have a youtube channel and have done many cars before. I did do an intro video for this and put it on YouTube but I am going to redo it. Filming is my least favorite part and editing sucks even more lol. I will film parts though like a time lapse of restoring the headlight lens, cleaning the engine bay, replacing suspension components etc
Bro, we're on the same path...about a 1000 subs...no desire for better editing or camera (I have a gopro wifey got me but I don't have a laptop that can handle editing...)
But I still love making DIY and sharing shit...
Went to pick your part today and they had a bunch of TL’s but I only sourced parts off of one.
scored the door handle pieces I was missing and the guy didn’t even charge me for them. Also scored the aluminum interior trim piece and new rear side-markers to ditch the ugly smoked ones
also scored a black driver and passenger seat for $45 each! They have a 90 day guarantee. The driver seat has no tears and the passenger has one small tear.
i plan to go back for the center console, rear deck cover, trunk latch (mines broken), taillights, and headliner
Got the headliner out, the smell and stains there was no salvaging it. I also removed the rear speaker deck as I plan to install a black one from the TL at the junkyard. I went ahead and removed the front dome light and cover because ill replace that with a different color as well. Going to replace the sub visors too lol. The rear dome light was broken so I’ll have to replace that too. Luckily these were all in good shape on the junkyard TL so I’ll be heading back to get that stuff
the only thing I couldn’t figure out how to remove was the sunroof slider cover so if anyone has a video on that I’d appreciate it!
Started it up after replacing motor mount, o2 sensors, egr valve, and pcv valve. Motor still shook and ran rough. Decided to let it idle till warm so I could drain the oil and change it.
drained the oil and only 1 quart came out…F me not good lol. Ended up get a oil flush additive and a cheap full synthetic to refill the engine. Let it idle on the flush for 10 minutes and the. Drain it again, brand new oil was black after that so I’m think the flush stuff worked.
the engine ran a lot smoother after that but is still vibrating abnormally. I’m going to check the spark plugs, fuel injectors, and look for a vacuum leak now to hopefully get the motor running good.
Bro, we're on the same path...about a 1000 subs...no desire for better editing or camera (I have a gopro wifey got me but I don't have a laptop that can handle editing...)
But I still love making DIY and sharing shit...
Got the headliner out, the smell and stains there was no salvaging it. I also removed the rear speaker deck as I plan to install a black one from the TL at the junkyard. I went ahead and removed the front dome light and cover because ill replace that with a different color as well. Going to replace the sub visors too lol. The rear dome light was broken so I’ll have to replace that too. Luckily these were all in good shape on the junkyard TL so I’ll be heading back to get that stuff
the only thing I couldn’t figure out how to remove was the sunroof slider cover so if anyone has a video on that I’d appreciate it!
Holy moly, man. You're going balls to the wall. Are you going to throw some Dynamat down?
I was thinking of doing that because I'm about to start installing my head-unit, component speakers, amps, etc.
Holy moly, man. You're going balls to the wall. Are you going to throw some Dynamat down?
I was thinking of doing that because I'm about to start installing my head-unit, component speakers, amps, etc.
you know I’m not sure. Right now I’m trying to replace anything cloth related just to get the smell out. I plan to do those diamond stitch floor mats instead of new carpet
04-03-2023, 04:19 AM
