We were driving our 2008 TL with about 130,000 miles on it at highway speeds today and suddenly the RPMs increased dramatically when I tried to accelerate. Coasted to a stop. On the way down I tried all of the various forward gears without any response. The engine continued to run and the AC continued to produce cold air. Once stopped, none of the gears including reverse placed any load on the engine. I checked the transmission fluid and found it barely registering on the dipstick. I briefly considered trying to add some fluid, but I would have to walk a couple of miles so I called AAA, When they lifted the front end a significant amount of fluid was dripping from the front splash shield on the passenger side. I thought possibly a hose has broken or come loose if there is a transmission cooler. I removed the Front Air Guide lower plate and tried to pry off the front splash shield. It apparently is held by a number "bumper clips" and a fender "inner clip" on each end. Any suggestions as to removing these clips without breaking them so that I might remove the splash shield and see if there is any broken hoses or worse. I would have had it towed to my favorite local mechanic but he is on vacation.

 

The same thing happened to me and it was leaking from the lower radiator connection. Change my radiator and top off transmission fluid and all is well so far about 10k now. Good Luck.

 

Sam, what led you to decide to change the radiator? Could the connection not be tightened? I have not looked at what a radiator change entails. Am I correct in presuming I should not bother trying to get to the problem from underneath (getting past the aforementioned clips).

 

Get a bumper clip tool. Lisle makes a good one

 

small flathead screw driver under the top edge of the clips (not the bottom of the clip otherwise you'll break it) and twist lightly. The "top" of the clip will slowly come out and you can pull it out. Also spraying liquid wrench helps

 

Thanks for the tips on the clips. I removed most of the front splash shield and felt along the transmission line going to the passenger end of the radiator. It wiggled, and was able to pull it out with almost no pressure. Obviously the source of my leak.
The following is a look at the threaded gasketed plug from the front of the car.
View from front of car with connection pulled down slightly.The following pic is from an online source with an arrow pointing to the nipple. Apparently it is sold as part of the radiator. Will I likely have success in reattaching the nipple and having it hold?

 

Buy a new DENSO radiator on Amazon and call it a day.. it's not supposed to separate there.

 

The nipple appears to have some problems. There are/were some fine metal shavings around the threads that have/are falling off and behind the thin washer there is another piece of metal that is badly corroded with some possibly missing metal. I was unable to rethread it in and have it hold. I'm thinking junkyard for replacement unless you all advise its hopeless. Thanks.

 

 

Mine broke exactly at the same spot. Now change your radiator and fill your transmission fluid and you should b good to go.

 

I got two estimates at $800+ from an independent shop (my regular independent mechanic is gone for most of the next three weeks on vacation) and $1200+ from an Acura dealer. So out of my comfort zone big time, but the hoses are disconnected and I would appreciate any advice disconnecting the electrical connection at the bottom of the radiator. I tried pulling and depressing on the white area on the right of the pic without any movement so I thought it best to ask.

 

Push clip harder or use a screwdriver

 

Thanks to all who replied but after two replacement radiators (first was received damaged) the repair is complete including new hoses. I still need to add a little more ATF. Added 7 quarts, drained one when I realized it was overfilled and have taken to adding small quantities via the dip stick to bring it to target level. I do now notice a little bit of a whine from the serpentine belt area at higher RPMs (during acceleration mostly), but did no work there so I hope something else is not going out. I do not believe any fluids could have gotten anywhere near the serpentine belt.

 

OP, update. 19 months and 25,000 miles all is well. Last visit to dealer for discounted oil change, the CSR said that they have had several of these failures recently on TLs.