Update and work on my 335k miles acura TL

[sontakke]

Looks like I should seriously consider doing it or having it done; I have had slight and almost imperceptible periodic (every two seconds) thump at idle for last 100K or so. It does look like a whole weekend job for an armature to try it. How many hours for you?

I had done it on a 4-cyl Honda twenty years ago but compared to that job, this would be lot more involved.

 

[tortillasoup]

one shitty thing about the job aside from removing all the parts is fucking around with the spark plug hole gaskets. one thing that bugged me a lot was the spark plug hole gaskets which after much frustration, figured out that you need to get a vice grip, grab a really good chunk, then pry it out by pushing down on one end of the vice grip like in a see-saw motion, careful to put a towel under the vice grip so you don't mar anything. Heating up the valve cover in the oven or with blow dryer so it's warm also helps a lot when re-installing those spark plug hole gaskets. It's also important to lubricate them as it's a really tight fit, then push them with a large flat surface like the back side of a 30-34mm (can't remember) socket and hammer just a little (careful not to damage them). If you don't do it right you'll have to remove the gasket and start all over with a new gasket.

It's easily a 2+ day job for an amateur to do. The ETCG video is excellent though he doesn't cover the replacement of any gaskets. Might want to shop around for a price quote on this job and if this is your only vehicle, that you have no backup vehicle, you may not feel comfortable enough to do all the work and have it done in a timely manner.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Our friend was just over visiting so I took a picture of her odometer.


Her car.


They'll have to crush this car when she replaces it because nobody is going to buy a 12 year old Lexus with 356,000 miles on it.

 

[spidey07]

Given how mines done I have no trouble buying another with 200 on it.

Lexus does make some incredible cars without the maintenance of their competitors. Same with Acura.

As to replacing it? Why would I? I have at most 10k in routine maintenance in it. I normally figure about a 1000 to 1500 every 2-3 years or 100k miles.

 

[JulesMaximus]

She spent about $12k on it 2 years ago, which included a new transmission, but it has been nothing but oil changes and tires since. She did say she replaced a coil recently. First one to go out in 356,000 miles... are you listening Audi?

 

[jagec]

As to replacing it? Why would I? I have at most 10k in routine maintenance in it. I normally figure about a 1000 to 1500 every 2-3 years or 100k miles.

+1 to that. Thinking about replacing a "worn-out" car after you get the first $2k repair bill is 1980s thinking.