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great thread!
wish I was as handy as you with the mechanical stuff you've done, but then I would also feel like you about worrying about the car lol.
super clean, I hope you keep it, if not post it here and let a member take it from you.
Nope, the only mods are the tints, the Nightbreaker headlight bulbs, and the pedal covers.
Thanks bruv
ha
I actually got the inspiration to post this because I submitted an Autotrader ad. I had dug up all these old photos and memories.
The ad said it posted, but...just didn't. I asked Autotrader about it and they said they had no record of my ad even though I received a confirmation email.
So I figured that was a sign to keep it a little longer. I was on the fence about getting rid of it anyway.
If you EVER want to sell it PM me. I've had my 09 SH for 7 years now and i'm almost as ocd as you with maintenance and do everything myself as well. Hell, it's never been in the snow and i almost never drive it in the rain! LOL i've been dying to find a clean 6mt for years but most of them are beat to crap or just have too many miles. Seeing the progress on yours is amazing!! I'd love to have the opportunity to buy yours and drive it home. I'll pay cash too. Been saving for a while since i have yet to find a super clean example!
If you EVER want to sell it PM me. I've had my 09 SH for 7 years now and i'm almost as ocd as you with maintenance and do everything myself as well. Hell, it's never been in the snow and i almost never drive it in the rain! LOL i've been dying to find a clean 6mt for years but most of them are beat to crap or just have too many miles. Seeing the progress on yours is amazing!! I'd love to have the opportunity to buy yours and drive it home. I'll pay cash too. Been saving for a while since i have yet to find a super clean example!
I feel that when the moment arrives, and you have yourself a 6MT, you will ask yourself what I asked myself: "why didn't I buy this vehicle sooner?!?!" I'm not saying that the 5AT or the 6AT are bad. What I'm saying, is that the 6MT is just THAT much better!
It's been sitting around.
It was recently -6F outside and I needed to park it outside for little time so I could use the garage for something else.
Of course it snowed while it was out there so I used a leaf blower to blow most of the snow off.
When your hands are a little wet from the outside door handle, and it's -6F outside....you know what's cooler than cool?
Touching the aluminum inner door handle.
It's been sitting around.
It was recently -6F outside and I needed to park it outside for little time so I could use the garage for something else.
Of course it snowed while it was out there so I used a leaf blower to blow most of the snow off.
When your hands are a little wet from the outside door handle, and it's -6F outside....you know what's cooler than cool?
Touching the aluminum inner door handle.
I'm still drooling over your car lol! I didn't think our door handles were actually aluminum, just chrome dipped plastic. Maybe the '12-'14 are different from my '09
I'm still drooling over your car lol! I didn't think our door handles were actually aluminum, just chrome dipped plastic. Maybe the '12-'14 are different from my '09
As someone who owns both versions, the interior of the 2012 is different than that of the 2011. It has improved materials that make the overall package more prestigious.
As someone who owns both versions, the interior of the 2012 is different than that of the 2011. It has improved materials that make the overall package more prestigious.
What are some of the things that you noticed are improved?
I'm still drooling over your car lol! I didn't think our door handles were actually aluminum, just chrome dipped plastic. Maybe the '12-'14 are different from my '09
Thanks man!
One way to find out is by licking the door handles on a very cold day.
These cars have aged well, in my opinion. The exterior styling was probably a little ahead of its time. The interior styling and quality are hard to match today, even if the infotainment is a bit dated (although I'm wedded to the DVD Audio sound quality).
Nothing like rolling through the MT in VTEC and pitching it into turns and letting SH AWD do its magic. That reminds me -- I'm due for a new set of tires at 70K.
The thing that still gets me is the resolution and framerate of the backup camera on these TLs, many brand new cars are far worse in both areas and I don't understand why.
^ Yes. This was the first car I owned with a backup cam. I just assumed they were all of this quality, but I've since learned otherwise. Acura didn't skimp much on this gen of TLs. My only beef has been the not so plush carpeting and hard plastic on the door lowers, but both are true of most cars these days, and the former is easily remedied with good mats.
My old Legend had luxurious, plush/dense carpeting and upholstered/soft touch lower door panels. (But it would also get smoked today 0-60 by my wife's 2.4/6MT Accord!)
Last edited by JM2010 SH-AWD; 02-07-2023 at 09:45 AM.
What are some of the things that you noticed are improved?
Originally Posted by altair47
I think in terms of interior decoration they differ only in door handles, radio unit and navigation display resolution
Originally Posted by BROlando
Damn, I thought the aluminum door handles were there on all years of the 4G. Didn't know that was a 2012+ thing.
I know the navigation interface improved in 2012. IIRC, there were improvements to the Bluetooth access, etc.
The 4G interior materials and design are really nice, regardless of year.
2011:
2012:
1) So, the 2009-2011 interior door handles are plastic. They were upgraded to aluminum in the 2012-2014 facelift models.
2) The 2009-2011 interior trim pieces on the doors, dashboard, and center console, are a texturized plastic. In the 2012-2014 facelift models, it's sort of metallic that feels hydrodipped and smooth.
3) The 2009-2011 navigation display screen is warmer (and mine takes time to warm up to full brightness), where as in the 2012-2014 facelift models, it's a cooler color and doesn't take time to brighten up.
Those three differences are instantly noticeable and difficult to ignore, especially the trim pieces if you feel them. I didn't really observe thoroughly to find out if there are any other differences, whether subtle or drastic.
2) The 2009-2011 interior trim pieces on the doors, dashboard, and center console, are a texturized plastic. In the 2012-2014 facelift models, it's sort of metallic that feels hydrodipped and smooth.
Can you be more specific about this? There is no difference in the pictures.
My understanding is that the interior trim on the 09-11 models was aluminum cast (or almost "sprayed") on to a plastic substrate to resist denting. Then in the 12-14 models they went to a simpler molded plastic piece. If you run your fingers over the earlier models' trim, you can feel the textured surface. On the MMC models, the trim feels smoother and less textured.
I did not realize that the 12-14 models got enhanced graphics for the infotainment screen.
But it's been awhile, and I may be remembering this incorrectly.
I gathered up the necessary parts for the oil pump reseal...and a few other things from Honda/Acura.
New windshield wiper inserts - also bought cerium oxide powder to try and polish the windshield first. The PO allowed the wipers to run dry and the windshield has streaks from the wipers.
I bought some DPSF and trans fluid...last time I did this was like 53K miles, and the car is at 70K miles currently.
I think I still have enough of the transfer case fluid remaining...but may try something better than the super thin mineral oil that Honda brands and sells.
I decided to keep a maintenance record for the car because when I bought it, the Carfax had all the performed maintenance listed (every 5K miles).
I wanted to keep that type of record alive...but I don't want anyone else working on my car.
So I decided to do a Google sheet record, with each tab showing the odometer mileage and evidence of service. I also keep all the receipts for the parts I've purchased.
For example...
Maintenance items when 5 of your vehicles are Hondas....
It's been warm, and more importantly, raining a lot here. We've had a mild winter overall, but the repeated rain means that all the road salt is now washed away!
So I thought it would be a great time to wash up the TL and start driving it again.
But as soon as I opened up the door to get in it, I discovered this!!
What words did I use? I was all...."Gosh bless it. What the darn?! What kind of mother loving bull horns is this?!! fudging shorts!", and it went on for a while like that.
I don't know why it didn't dawn on me before, but the hardware that came with the Strut King pedals was just black zinc oxide coated....which is barely any corrosion protection at all.
As mentioned, I don't drive this car in the salty midwestern winter. However, I did have to move it in and out of the garage a few times.
The salt from the driveway on the soles of my shoes was enough to cause this horrific scene. Imagine if I actually drove the car in salt.
The hardware rusted out and transferred all the rust onto the stainless steel pedal covers.
I wrote a song ab it. I call it Wet Ass Feeties (WAF).
Anyway, so I took the pedal covers out of the car to clean them.
A quick dip in some acid and a little agitation with a nylon brush and they were back to new.
I purchased some SS hardware so this wouldn't happen again.
FWIW, 316SS is the one you want to use if you can get some.
The machine screws/nuts are M4 sized and the tapping screws are #10X1/2"
I also put some more brush into the pedals using sand paper.
Back in the car....
I did like the black finish of the old hardware before. Minus the nightmarish rust.
So I might try and find some black oxided stainless steel hardware in the future.
It seems kinda dumb to put a finish on SS, but its used for military applications where the hardware has to be corrosion resistant, but also stealthy.
Or also for when you want your car to have dripp
Driveway shot! Planning on driving it to work tomorrow.
The interior of my cars is always as totally sterile of an environment as possible....so there's no way my brain could forget that those rusty screws were under my feet.
Glad to be driving the car again, though it seems like we might get snow tomorrow...so it will get parked once more if that happens.
Gotta get all the fluids swapped. And get into the oil pump re-seal job. So maybe its good that it will just be sitting around for a bit longer if it snows.
Off topic... this car's audio system used to seem so raging to me lol. But it seems super tame now. Likely because I've been driving my big trOck that has a truly ridiculous factory system.
The interior of my cars is always as totally sterile of an environment as possible....so there's no way my brain could forget that those rusty screws were under my feet.
Glad to be driving the car again, though it seems like we might get snow tomorrow...so it will get parked once more if that happens.
Gotta get all the fluids swapped. And get into the oil pump re-seal job. So maybe its good that it will just be sitting around for a bit longer if it snows.
Off topic... this car's audio system used to seem so raging to me lol. But it seems super tame now. Likely because I've been driving my big trOck that has a truly ridiculous factory system.
I was blown away by the ELS at first, but since i've owned mine for 7 years now, the novelty kind of wore off for me as well. Don't get me wrong, it sounds incredible, i'm just not AS excited about it. Only thing missing is a manual in my case
Post pics of you doing the OP reseal! I definitely love seeing all the updates on your car!!!
For sure man. I have a car whose engine I need to finish installing. But after that, I'm planning on working on the TL
I will say...it was bone dry the last time I checked (no leaks). So....maybe the drippy's were just residual dribbles of oil from when I did the cam seals?
Before I put it away, I dish soaped and pressure washed the block as well as I could. When I drove it last, I definitely took it to the max between a few gear changes. Still bone dry.
Will check it in a few weeks when I drive it again.
Well hopefully its bone dry! I imagine you're just going to reuse the timing belt kit you recently installed too, right? My car has been doing the same thing. I cleaned it super well after i changed the oil a month or so ago and it's been bone dry as well! I even drove it pretty aggressively on my favorite winding mountain road in the Santa Cruz mountains too. I swore the oil pump was leaking.
Well hopefully its bone dry! I imagine you're just going to reuse the timing belt kit you recently installed too, right? My car has been doing the same thing. I cleaned it super well after i changed the oil a month or so ago and it's been bone dry as well! I even drove it pretty aggressively on my favorite winding mountain road in the Santa Cruz mountains too. I swore the oil pump was leaking.
Yeah, all the timing components are virtually brand new, so if I do the OP reseal, I'll just put the same timing parts back in.
It wasn't leaking when I did the timing belt otherwise I woulda done the reseal then.
So I'm really hoping it was just residual oil that I saw.
@BROlando Awesome thread... Truly car lover! I have 2011 6MT in MBM with 61K miles that I plan to work on by myself this year pretty much exactly what you did plus replace all suspension parts. Past 6 years / 22K miles it's been on 20"s and I can tell my ride is not great.
Recently had to replace Knock sensor pig tail that got chewed by rat without taking top intake part off.
@BROlando Awesome thread... Truly car lover! I have 2011 6MT in MBM with 61K miles that I plan to work on by myself this year pretty much exactly what you did plus replace all suspension parts. Past 6 years / 22K miles it's been on 20"s and I can tell my ride is not great.
Recently had to replace Knock sensor pig tail that got chewed by rat without taking top intake part off.
Thanks brother. You should post a thread when you get around to working on yours.
The 4G TL is so under appreciated. Nobody knows about them, but everyone that sits in/rides in mine comments on how nice it is.
I think these will eventually become one of the sought after Acura's with a core following...similar to the Legend 6MT's are now.
^^ Agreed. My 2G Legend was a '92, so only a 5MT, but I sure wish I'd had room to keep it when I got my TL. I don't see moving on from my TL for the foreseeable future. Such a great, all-around car. Mine is just about to hit 70K miles, so still a baby, usage-wise.
2500 miles ago, I did an oil change. I pressure washed any oil residue on the oil pump and pan area.
Today, its all bone dry. So...my car didn't have any oil pump leak, as it turns out! It was probably just oil drip from doing the cam seals.
Also, not a drop of oil burned or leaked.
As Professor Farnsworth would say: "Good news everyone!!" LOL!
Seriously though, that is good new. At least you won't have to reseal the oil pump FOR NOW. I've looked at and test drove 2 6mt TLs recently since i'm still on the hunt for one. They both had the camshaft noise and both had oil leaking around the oil pan from what looks like a possible oil pump leak.
thats great to hear, Currently have a minor rear main seal and an oil pump seal leak.
I thought I was pretty good with maintaining my car (this is my first car) as I've changed all the fluids and replaced various things such as transmission mounts, foglights, etc. But after seeing your journey with this car and the immaculate and detailed maintenance records I was blown away.
I just ordered the front aspect kit along with new brakes, a j pipe, obx PCDs, and a new drive belt and tensioner. Planning to fix the the oil pump seal with a timing belt change in 20-30k and hoping to get a paint correction soon
As Professor Farnsworth would say: "Good news everyone!!" LOL!
Seriously though, that is good new. At least you won't have to reseal the oil pump FOR NOW. I've looked at and test drove 2 6mt TLs recently since i'm still on the hunt for one. They both had the camshaft noise and both had oil leaking around the oil pan from what looks like a possible oil pump leak.
I bought all the parts to do it. If I have a full day free (ha!), I may just choose to go ahead and do it.
Originally Posted by Muntster
thats great to hear, Currently have a minor rear main seal and an oil pump seal leak.
I thought I was pretty good with maintaining my car (this is my first car) as I've changed all the fluids and replaced various things such as transmission mounts, foglights, etc. But after seeing your journey with this car and the immaculate and detailed maintenance records I was blown away.
I just ordered the front aspect kit along with new brakes, a j pipe, obx PCDs, and a new drive belt and tensioner. Planning to fix the the oil pump seal with a timing belt change in 20-30k and hoping to get a paint correction soon
Sounds like a super satisfying list of stuff. Are you planning on doing it all at once? One big transformation?
Sounds like a super satisfying list of stuff. Are you planning on doing it all at once? One big transformation?
Thats the plan. Just had it at the dealer for a top end ticking and a rattling/knocking noise when the ac engaged. They said the engine sounded fine and that it probably needs a valve adjustment soon which I plan to do. They said the knocking was caused by a faulty drive belt tensioner and wanted $500 to replace it and almost $1000 for a valve adjustment and spark plugs. Figured I would do it myself along with some other goodies. Wont be too surprised to see worn cams though.
12-02-2022, 05:56 PM
