Hello, long time lurker, first time poster. I have an '05 TL (Base+ navi) that has always had its coolant and oil changed at Jiffy Lube, and there hasn't been any reason to do anything otherwise. A couple days ago, as I was changing the spark plugs, I removed the overflow reservior to find that it was not, in, fact full of the pink goodness that I have been having Jiffy Lube use, instead, it's a dark blue/green color and I was told yesterday that my car smelled like honey, and sure enough, it did. I currently plan to flush the system using the steps laid out on the 3G garage tomorrow and hope that that fixes things. If anybody has any advisement they could offer or any advice on things I should check for an issue, that'd be amazing.

Thanks in advance,

Yongintiger (aka Jeff)

 

I should also be sure to note that there hasn't been any real change in performance (besides that of new plugs), and the issue was noticed to have occurred before the plugs were changed. Nothing huge, some people just like the details thanks again.

 

So many things wrong here. How many times have you had the coolant changed? No matter what coolant they used you shouldn't smell it. You should only use Honda/Acura coolant. This is the only stock fluid I use.

I hope you didn't have them use Dex Cool. If it sees air it gels. If it sees other coolants it gels.

I would first figure out why you're smelling coolant and where is it coming from, exhaust? Hopefully the stuff in the car now is the blue Honda fluid. If in doubt flush it out and refill with factory fluid. Don't forget to run the heater while you're doing it.

 

I am in the process of flushing the coolant now, ill post a picture of what it looks like, it's got a dark blue/green color to it with a touch of a brownish hue, I am SO hoping its not oil...

 

This was what I initially pulled out of the radiator.

http://imageshack.us/a/img545/9453/hfez.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/34/1mz2.jpg

Hopefully they just put the wrong coolant in and didn't want to say anything... Only time I'd ever be happy that was the problem.

 

The proper Honda[Acura] coolant is blue, like that in your overhead photo.

IDK which Jiffy Lube was doing, but it either: 1) put in the right Honda coolant for you, or 2) never changed your coolant.

You should not be using any "pink" or other type of coolant other than the OEM Honda premix.

 

Well, the car was purchased used about two and a half years ago from a Lexus dealership. What I was told was in there was the Zerex Asian formula and not the Honda Type 2 coolant. In the time I've had it that's what I've always used, added, or had them (Jiffy Lube) fill it with, and as far as I've read they're essentially the same thing, minus the Honda name and price tag, of course. Seeing as I already have a few gallons of the Zerex that I've had to keep it topped off, and not really the cash to buy the Honda, I'll probably be filling with this again, after that I'll be stockpiling Honda coolant for next time.