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Update and work on my 335k miles acura TL

S

spidey07

No Lifer
2004 Acura TL 6 speed manual transmission, 335k miles

The rear wheels have been making noise for some time. Brakes grinding horrifically ineffective, check engine light on, parking brake practically ineffective but it's drivable. Engine runs a little rough, idles rough. I was concerned about wheel/hub bearings so I took her in.

Brakes:
Rear Calipers fubar, shop said typical of honda when they get this high mileage. I didn't disagree as the noise from the rear wheels and gut wrenching grinding that was felt. New calipers, new pads/rotors, flush/refill break fluid, bearings are in good shape (I asked to make sure to check)

Check Engine light:
Misfires on all 6 cylinders + a CAT reading/sensor, she's been running/idling rough. Tells me oil is low, channels on oil to valves and VVTECH sensors, blah, run a cleaner through it...He was pretty cool in being pissed off about the oil channels, his solution was clean that out.

Struts:
Gee, you think I need new struts after 335k miles and bouncing all over the place the last 150k? Yeah, I do. He was amazed that everything else was just fine including CV

I don't know if I'm buying his bullshit, but man to man he told me my car was a workhorse, motor sounds great.

New brakes, new struts/shocks acceptable, motor firing properly on all cylinders...DAMN I am a happy man. She's back, she's beautiful and ready to run.

2 bones well spent. That motor is happy.
 
One of my wife's best friends has a 2002 Lexus with over 350,000 miles on it. Still running strong on the original motor.

I took this pic of her odometer and this was well over a year ago.
 
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JulesMaximus said:
One of my wife's best friends has a 2002 Lexus with over 350,000 miles on it. Still running strong on the original motor.

I took this pic of her odometer and this was well over a year ago.
Click to expand...

Really, the only work I've had done on her are wearable items. With the struts and the motor running right I have a new car. Hell, these are the original spark plugs. I had fun playing with her on the way home. Like a new car, after suffering through a VW Jetta as a rental...that sucked.

I don't do car payments. This lady will serve me well, I love her.
 
kudos to you. my 07 accord is still a baby at 120k. tempted to sell it privately, kbb has it going at 8k and get an 07 RL for not much more as its a little classier looking and has shawd. however i've had this car since 4miles, love no car payments and i've done all the maintenance myself
 
Spidey, Jules, those miles are incredible... Shows that taking care of a car can do wonders. Also, where you live matters a lot. What area do you live in, Spidey?

Jules, is that Lexus ES300, and is driven around San Diego, away from salt? I am really fond of that color of wood. I was really close to buying 2005 ES330(same as 300 but with bigger motor) last May of 2013. Great comfort but I decided to buy myself a 2013 Honda Accord Sport.
 
ThatsABigOne said:
Spidey, Jules, those miles are incredible... Shows that taking care of a car can do wonders. Also, where you live matters a lot. What area do you live in, Spidey?

Jules, is that Lexus ES300, and is driven around San Diego, away from salt? I am really fond of that color of wood. I was really close to buying 2005 ES330(same as 300 but with bigger motor) last May of 2013. Great comfort but I decided to buy myself a 2013 Honda Accord Sport.
Click to expand...

Yes, it's an ES300, dark blue with camel interior. She used to live in Carlsbad and commuted to Irvine every day. She lives up in Irvine now though.

Salt doesn't really have any affect on cars here unless you live right on the coast (like less than 50' from the ocean). My 10 year old Nissan didn't have a single bit of rust on it anywhere when I sold it last March.
 
I'm in KY, so snowy/icey winters but plenty of salt used. She's still covered in salt from weeks ago. It's basically white from the salt spray, you'd be hard pressed to tell the "real" color. Paint and everything are fine, no rust. The mechanic was telling me these things are like a tank and getting 500k out of it isn't out of the question at all.

I've been trying to find another one. I figure if I could get a 6 speed manual TL for 10-12k and 100k miles I'd have a car I love for another 10 years. I'm having trouble locating one, not many made.
 
halik said:
pics?
Click to expand...

Here's your pics, only for you though. Just took them.

saltcar1sized.JPG
 
ballmode said:
Have you owned the car the entire life?
Click to expand...

Yes. Change oil every 20k miles, maybe 30/40k or once/twice a year. Still on the single timing belt/chain change from 150k.

I know by bragging something is going to happen. But damn she's running good.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Yes, it's an ES300, dark blue with camel interior. She used to live in Carlsbad and commuted to Irvine every day. She lives up in Irvine now though.

Salt doesn't really have any affect on cars here unless you live right on the coast (like less than 50' from the ocean). My 10 year old Nissan didn't have a single bit of rust on it anywhere when I sold it last March.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's nice. 🙂 I like that color. Did she say whether she has plans to purchase a newer vehicle? I would not be surprised if it were another Lexus. 🙂

spidey07 said:
Yes. Change oil every 20k miles, maybe 30/40k or once/twice a year. Still on the single timing belt/chain change from 150k.

I know by bragging something is going to happen. But damn she's running good.
Click to expand...

Wow, 20k mile oil changes? Makes sense as highway miles are easy on the car per mile driven. On my Honda, according to computer estimates, I can change every 11k-12k miles with 70/30 Highway/City. Just checked the oil today, 7K miles after the change, still looks golden and no oil consumption.
 
Wow that's a buttload of miles! Congrats. Good to see it holding up so well.

Are you gonna take it to 500k???
 
Pretty cool car, I had debated getting one at one point but didn't, are all of the manual transmission TL's type-S models?
 
Sounds like you are lucky to be driving such a solid car. Playing with fire not keeping up very well with routine maintenance as it sounds like you're doing.
 
Wash me!

Get an MTM Foam Lance (~$50),

A pressure washer if you don't already have one.

Chemical guys Maxi Suds II

Fill lance 2" with Maxi Suds and fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.

Get road salt off car nao!

 
disappoint said:
Wash me!

Get an MTM Foam Lance (~$50),

A pressure washer if you don't already have one.

Chemical guys Maxi Suds II

Fill lance 2" with Maxi Suds and fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.

Get road salt off car nao!
Click to expand...

All dudes that get hardons about car washes are weird; just take it through the nearest diy carwash and be done with it.
 
Harrod said:
Pretty cool car, I had debated getting one at one point but didn't, are all of the manual transmission TL's type-S models?
Click to expand...

No there are some auto Type-S ( all the ones i've seen have been auto oddly) and there are non Type S's that are manual. The manual base have brembo's that might make for a more costly brake job.
 
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