RedsTL

My first major problem with my 08 TL-S, happened right at 80k

Here's my report from Acura. Thoughts/suggestions? Any help appreciated

truonghthe

OP did you ever check your fluid level? like engine oil, transmission oil, coolant etc...? if you failing to do it then its partial your fault. 100% things listed above can be done at home around $600, that including replace the radiator. Looks like they trying to move you to the sale department asap and they will rape you on both side trade in and new payment.

Will Y.

Were you shown the damage that requires radiator replacement?
Was there a fluid leak from the radiator itself?

A fluid leak from a hose or line normally does not require replacement of the radiator (a coolant leak at the coolant reservoir line connection with the radiator filler is usually a bad hose which can be replaced and clamped).

Thermostat replacement sounds wholly unnecessary.

Compare the tire prices from on-line sites like TireRack before buying them from the dealer-- $500 is a lot for mounting and balancing two stock-size tires, even for the Michelin MXM4 Primacy A/S. The dealership may lower or match other prices.

RedsTL

Thanks for the replies!!

I asked and he said that it was the radiator itself that cracked, hence replacement. Just "normal wear" , nothing to do w/ fluid levels or anything.

So basically I'm gonna call around and get a couple of other estimates to see if they can come down a bit. Thanks for the insight and help.

YeuEmMaiMai

did you OVERHEAT the car?

title says that coolant got in trans fluid and there are 1 of 2 ways that can happen on a car

oil cooler in rad cracked (your car appears to have this according to Acura parts diagram for 08 TL-S auto)

oil to water heat exchanger cracked (some cars including the older TL have those) they are not located in the radiator but on the top of the trans.

To take the rad out (general instructions) you might have to do some other things but it should go pretty straight.

A. BUY A GOOD QUALITY RADIATOR and green coolant. Honda rads are very good and so far all of mine have lasted the life of the cars they are in.

Ok here comes the fun (do this when the car is COLD)

1. Park car set parking brake, open hood and loosen rad cap.
2. Raise car up just enough to get under it.
3. Remove lower splash shield to gain access to lower rad hose and electrical connectors for the fans.
4. Open petcock and let rad drain, remove slash shield if you need better access.
5. Unplug fans and remove aft cooler lines and cap them off (plastic wrap and rubber bands work in a pinch), and then remove lower rad hose from rad.
6. From the top of the car remove fan shroud and if required overflow bottle.
7. Remove upper rad mounting points 2 bolts each side, and the upper rad hose.
8 If you have disconnected everything, the rad should lift right up with fans attached.
9. Verify that the two cooler lines are securely fitted on the new rad, do NOT over tighten.
10. Transfer fans to new rad. You may or may not have to use your old mounting hardware.
11. If the lower rubber mounts came up wit the rad, remove them and place them back into the car where they go in the bottom cross member.
12. Change t-stat with new one.
13. Install new rad with fans attached.
14. Go under car, close petcock, reattach atf cooler lines, and reattach lower rad hose using a new clamp.
15. If you had to remove splash shield, reinstall it.
16. Reattach overflow tank and upper hose using a new clamp.
17. Fill up rad with coolant mixed to the proper % for your climate conditions. squeeze upper hose to get as much air out as possible. If your t-stat housing has a nipple on it open it up and attach a clear hose to it. Route the other end to a catch container
18. Fill overflow tank right up to the top and then start car.
19 Add coolant as needed, watch clear hose on nipple, when no more bubbles come out close the nipple and remove hose.
20. Check for leaks under car and everywhere else you removed a hose.
21. When rad will not accept anymore coolant, put the cap on and drive car with heat on max for a few miles and then park it.
22. Come back in about 4 hours and check coolant overflow, add as needed to bring up to the max cold line. repeat next few times before you drive the car.