I've done all of these services on my TL in the past couple years - I am absolutely psyched to see you get a 3rd gen TL too. There is still much for a DIYer like myself to learn, and having somebody that was a Honda tech now making videos on this exact car is a dream come true. Thanks a ton for making these - the production quality is something not mentioned often, but everything from the scripting, the clear shots, the cuts, lighting, etc. is perfect. Can't wait to see future vids.
Great video. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to make these videos, just know that there are people out there that really appreciate your time and energy and love these videos. Thanks....
Scanner Danner, Pine Hollow, SMA and ETCG. Those are 4 kings of youtube automotive repair. Scotty Killmer can go rot in hell. What a worthless washed up, brain dead mechanic stuck in the 80s
These videos are really relaxing to watch at 3 and 4 am when you can’t sleep. I love the quiet and peaceful shop. Plus you are super knowledgeable on cars. Always good to learn new stuff.
I own a 2G TL, and even though it's not *all* the same, it's super useful to see these maintenance items done by someone as skilled and experienced as you. I've definitely learned a ton from this series so far, you've done a really good job explaining and showing everything for sure!
Love Eric's comment at 20:56! I've got 3 kids soon to start high school. Knowing how to buy a used car and fixing it myself has saved our family thousands! My day job is being a software coder, you just need the right attitude to try things yourself.
I just bought an 06 TL, and i usually hate when videos are too long and dint get to the point and just skip over everything. but this video felt like i was watching my favorite show and now look forward to the next episode. very awesome and informative! makes me feel so comfortable working on my car with people like you and Chris making videos.
Another great Eric video. He saved me thousands while I owned my 99TL. Alas, after 290K miles, my TL was officially retired and recycled. People retire to hot places like Arizona. Cars retire to see hot places like remelting furnaces. We are a Toyota house now.
By far the best and most knowledgeable in-depth maintenance video I've seen yet on RUclips for Acura/Honda's to-date. Appreciate the honest don't do this "from personal experience" references, priceless advice.
So awesome that Eric is doing repair videos again! I have a 2008 Acura MDX, same engine, this is very helpful. Really looking forward to the power steering repair!
Love seeing you get back to your roots with the car service videos. I had a silver 05 TL with a manual and my mom had a white 08 that she just sold. Only stranded by it once with a bad throttle position sensor that was improperly reinstalled by a shady shop after some service and had rattled to pieces. Other than that super reliable and well-built car. Ended up selling mine at 152k for a brand new 2017 Civic SI 1.5t oil diluter! Haven't actually had any issues with the Civic diluting the oil though.
The first thing is the aesthetics. Although this iteration came out 15 years ago, the design has aged pretty well. It still has a sharp look that doesn't look dated like other cars of the same era. The A-Spec package and some wheels finish it off nicely, but even in stock form, it still looks classy. I am going to retrofit the headlights to the RLX "Jewel Eyes" to make it look even more modern. Second is the legendary Honda reliability. Mine has about 180,000 miles (mostly highway. I bought it from a friend, so I knew the history of the car), and still runs like a top. Keep up with the basic maintenance, and you will easily get 300,000 miles. The only thing I've done so far is a tuneup and a couple of oil changes. The V-6 engine has a nice kick to it, but I still get around 35 MPG on the highway, and the manual 6-speed transmission is a blast! The leather interior is nice, quiet, and not overcomplicated with unnecessary bells and whistles. Also, it is easy to work on. I do all my own maintenance/repairs. Overall, it is a great car for the price, since you can find them extremely cheap. It's not a record-setting super sedan, it doesn't have a rear console with a refrigerator, etc. But if you need a comfortable, roomy, economical, and reliable entry-level luxury sedan, mine serves as a daily driver pretty well.
@@mrdave777 Ok. Loved: The overall look is great. The handling in corners is great and exceptional on Type S versions. Power on base models is more than adequate and very good on the Type S. Interior styling is still very good. Not near as dated as other cars from 04-08. I really like the control placement. Everything is where you would expect it. Mt wife has the 2nd gen MDX and it seems that the controls were somewhat taken from the TL so when I drive it I am right at home. Reselling is easy. I never have to come down on price. There is much more to love but will share a "hated". The Bluetooth module will die and drain your battery if you don't drive it for a couple days. Remove the module and save yourself the headache and wasted time to diagnose. Changing the headlight bulbs is complicated at best as well. That's about it.
Thanks Eric. I bought my '06 TL for $33,000 more than you did. It only has 75k miles and the original timing belt and brakes. Mostly freeway miles. I used to commute 80 miles per day in it. I know the timing belt is way over due and the brakes need to be checked out again. What a great car though. Nothing has broken or failed. I've done the maintenance since it went off warranty... just fluids. Still has the original spark plugs. I've done 130mph in it crossing Nevada. You can't be in overdrive to go that fast. I have all the parts for the timing belt and water pump work. Will watch that video. Waiting for warm spring weather. I also have a 2005 F150 4x4 that gets driven regularly. I agree on the Michelin Pilot Sport AS tires. Excellent. I put the next size up on it. The 245/45 x 17 helps protect the rims from curb rash and makes the speedo spot on... and they look right. Thanks for the BS free tech pointers. KUTGW
One thing I learned from Eric is how to hold a bottle of oil or ATF when pouring it. The big side (of the bottle) goes up, not down. You get less splashing that way. I know it sounds stupid, but it helps.
From 24,000 views in one week to 21k in less than a day! This is truly the type of content the average person/DIYer looks for, how to save money purchasing an inexpensive car and doing their own work with knowledge from someone who genuinely knows these vehicles from the inside out. Loved the video, wish you did Toyota’s ;( I watched all the way through and I don’t even own an Acura haha!
Also good to mention, the transmission pressure switches tend to fail on these transmissions. They aren’t too expensive and should be changed on a car with that many miles. Nice informative video!
Very good that you showed the fill plug and location for the automatic transmission. I have a 2005 V6 Accord and it is exactly the same configuration as far as plug and location. Honda V6 owners should take note.
Cool video, can't wait for the timing belt and waterpump. It's funny how the windshield is brand new in the beginning and busted towards the middle of the video.
just bought an 04 tl. this seriies, and all your other videos are gold eric!! thank you. save us all money and time. Keep it up friend! you're up there with sootty kilmer!
I super enjoy these videos.. I literally listen them while i do everything from working on cars to go shopping, i listen while.i do door dash, i listen while buttf ing my wife, while i ride my dirt bike the voice is soothing and consistent never going.. Uhh or like.. Or uhh like.. Pretty on point eric.. Pretty much sayin best commentary online that doesn't bore ya to.death..
I actually have one of those. I've used it in other videos, but this funnel was handy so I grabbed it. That is an excellent hack BTW. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you ETCG. Valuable tips--- "Protip, make sure your funnel is secure before pouring in the liquid..." I have a '09 V6 and can extrapolate these steps, the structure seems very similar, and carry on to more miles and more smiles. Your videos are invaluable. Happy New Year, keep 'em coming. Greetings from the OC/ So Cal.
NICE!!!! I paid $600 for a 2004 Acura MDX and all it needs is pressure solenoids and Shift B Solenoid and she's in them streets! But how the heck you paid $200 for a bad cool car is beyond me. Fantastic video man!
Friday + a long ETCG video = awesome. Even voluntarily wachted two ads for ya. One of which was Porsche claiming its electric car had 0 emissions. They must be plugging it in, in a unicorn socket at the end of a rainbow. It's a 60 second fantasy story. :D
Honda ATF (HCF-2 specifically) is especially important for their CVTs. I did a change on my Fit and it was surprisingly easy (except fro the drain plug pointing towards the wheel). Too bad I can't really check the levels, as there's no dipstick and it's sealed. It was as easy as an oil change, if not more so (no filter). Definitely pricey fluid, though.
WAIT WHAT!?!?! eric started doing more service type videos again thats awesome!!!!! i love the older videos and not that his newer videos were bad just less to my taste... regardless he is the GODFATHER of mechanic videos on YT... good stuff hope to see more!!!!!
@ericthecarguy after reading comments below... please dont think its a question of quality!!!! you make and have always worked to increase the quality of your videos... however me personally i have always like more diag/ service type videos instead of "project" type videos... i have long sense purchase all or at least most of your paid videos and you are one of the best teachers out there your stuff is excellent!!!!
This is awesome. I have a 2006 Acura TL in super mint condition, but my wife took it to Jiffy Lube whiel i was away and they conned her into changing the Transmission Fluid... (god know what they put in there) its driving good, only drove it 20 / 30 miles since, but i'm going to take it to acura on friday to do a proper transmission fluid. Thanks for this video!
I’ve always checked the gap as most plugs are designed to fit more than one engine. Even a similar engine of different years can require a different gap.
I did the spark plugs on a lexus ls400 and got the ngk's and all the gaps were off by 2 marks but im tedious that way.i agree with what you say.i know its not alot to make a misfire but still.
sitting here enjoying my coffee and watching you do what i should be doing to my own car, here's wishing you, your family and friend's and all your followers a safe and wonderful upcoming holiday's and a happy new year @ericthecarguy , love your content!
It is great seeing this. Makes me miss my Acura tech days. I remember doing the P/S hose recall for the first time and loosing my shirt. I figured out to just slightly bend the line to get it under the mount bracket. For the battery terminals I was under the impression lithium grease is best to use on the battery terminals.
I'm with you on your tire philosophy Eric - Narrow with tall sidewalls (smaller diameter rim) for the winter and wider with lower sidewalls for the other seasons (larger diameter rims, but not crazy large; I'm not into parking hard). In my experience, Subaru and Toyota also require OEM fluids in them for longevity; maybe it's a Japanese manufacturer thing, or the fact that a lot of them use manufacturer specific parts where the domestics tend to farm out their components to third parties.
maybe I watched too much nascar as a kid, but low profile tires don't grab me like they do for a lot of people; and again, if you look at racing, narrow sidewalls don't seem to be a big deal either (F1, NASCAR). I get it, and anything is better than the trend that has ultra small sidewalls with tires 50 mm too narrow all done with 30 degree camber at all wheels and lowered to the point it scrapes on crosswalk paint; but I'm just a grumpy old man!
Now that was a good service, if that engine could smile it would :-D. This video feels like the old ones you used to do, except you have a beard now lol.
Honestly I bristle at comments like that. I don't feel the quality was any different in the #ETCGMiniSeries, #ETCGDadsTruck, or #FairmontProject videos. The only difference is this series is on a Honda. I suppose that tells me what the audience wants though. Thank you as always for your input and comments.
@@ericthecarguy I don't know what zx8401ztv meant but I came here to make a similar comment. This vid did feel kind of oldschool. That doesn't mean I didn't like the Truck and Fairmont vids, I did and I hope there will be updates on both of those projects. Those are just different types of vids. Straight up service vs. building stuff. Both are cool. Cheers.
@@ericthecarguy When they said old school, I was thinking more like before those series; like early ETCG. You seemed a bit more candid as if you were having more fun in it. I can't even pinpoint why, and it doesn't detract from other videos or series you've done for us. My thoughts through part of the video seeing how empty/clean your garage is now were ... I'd think I'd be having some empty nest syndrome! The shop looks huge and sparse without the extra cars in there!
Enjoying the TL content. Amusing because my wife had an 06 that is long gone but no forgotten. This was the car that changed my "Honda is God" complex. I knew every issue with this car that you have described. Right down to the door handle trim pieces falling off. The v-tech was a real treat too. As long as you knew you needed it ten seconds before you did! Have not heard you mention any radio issues yet but on hers it would only sometimes work or randomly blast at full volume if your forgot to turn it off. Would pretty much run you off the road. lol
@@ericthecarguy That body style TL IMO, remains one of the most beautifully styled cars ever mass produced. The lines were perfect and don't seem dated even in 2019. After it was totaled, she only wanted to buy another. And the few seconds waiting for the vtech, worth the wait:)
I think this is the most love this car probably ever had! This is what I do to all the vehicles I buy. I need to know the age of all my fluids, belts, filters, etc. Eric , a good idea is to upgrade that dipstick with an aftermarket all metal one.
Again...I use Maxlife trans fluid. Lucas power steering fluid. Mobil 1. Aftermarket radiator fluid. And I’m known to use 87 octane. My 06 TL runs superbly! 170k miles...
Can’t wait for the timing belt job I bought a used 2004 Acura TL 6 speed the previous owner didn’t care much about it I’m basically doing the same repairs you are performing
Eric, I’d highly recommend removing that Acura badge from the main engine cover. Ive heard they can come off from old age and possibly tear up a radiator fan and/or radiator itself. Or just leave the covers off it helps with heat soak.
I have a 04 TL I replace the terminals before but then I just bought from Acura Parts Warehouse the positive and negative and they come with the cables you can bolt them on this car is very sensitive when it comes to the battery and grounds.i know your a master honda technician and you know alot more then me. Just wanted to put my opinion in. Thanks for your videos. I've learned a lot
Good video thanks. I didnt have a turkey baster so used an old trigger mechanism from a spray bottle....it worked well and put everything directly into the container.
You mention "cheap insurance." That's so true. Full coverage (liability, comprehensive, $500 deductible collision) on my ''92 Accord is $18 a month! My '88 Acura Legend I think is $22.
I have an 07 TL, and I'm loving these videos... Aside from the videos you have mentioned... I would love to see video on the "Transmission Range Switch/Safety Switch"..... I'm getting an intermittent flashing "D" light and a check engine P1717 code. I cannot find really good detailed videos of this repair... I love your level of work, and detailed video production you make... So I you love you see a video on transmission maintenance..
A couple things I didn't see mentioned that are known on this car: 1) Compliance bushings in the lower front suspension = bad alignment and front end clunk 2) Powersteering recall = probably done years ago on this car 3) Nav models had parasitic electric drain issues = random no-start 4) Doorhandle end caps often pop off
I just got an 06 Acura TL base and suspension and both front fenders will all need to be replaced. But I just replaced those spark plus and saw zero oil, changed the oil and it came out fine no sludge. Even changed the transmission fluid. Just need to get some new suspension parts and 18in rim/tires. It’s running 20’s and one tire is 275/35/20, another 265/35/20, 235,35,20, and 245/35/20. Absolutely crazy
You need to make yourself a spark plug installation tool from a seldom used long #3 Phillips screw driver and an old spark plug boot. What's nice about this tool is that you can hand tighten the plugs and feel if there is any galling in the threads. Starting the threads is super easy because of the "bend-ability".
Could also use a plastic tube (same kind that you would use when bleeding the brakes). It will also "stop" if the threads are off, but won't damage them.
I’m very surprised you didn’t use full synthetic esp on a modern VTEC engine. I found your channel bc of my 2009 Accord i4 which I had for 5 years. I miss that car. Now I have a 2010 Camry 2.5L i4 and the car needed a lot of work. Basically I did everything you just did on the TL, plus full suspension and details. As control arms, ball joints, tire rods front and rear. It’s got 175K. Runs like a top and it has steelies on General Altimax in the winter! Also went a size smaller and narrower!
FUN! How boring is it to watch 40 minutes of car maintenance? I replay in my mind my car DIY tune up with Eric's pro tips and compare. I did pretty good.
Put a bottle of AT205 RESEALER in the oil and run it and i guarantee the oil leaks will disappear period its fixed permanently ! Best product i have ever seen it will even fix high pressure pumps like power steering pumps any seal period if they are rubber seals ! I had a automatic trans in a ford ranger that was pouring trans fluid out of the front seal as fast as you could pour it in ! I put a bottle in the trans and immediately it went to a drip ! I then drove it a mile down the road and came back and it was fixed completely and never leaked again ! This stuff is gold !
Eric I recently had a spark plug blow out on my 04 tl, it is a common issue, I would definitely recommend retorquing the plugs every 10k miles or so, a lot easier to do that than it is fixing blown out threads.. best of luck with the car
Just an FYI, there is a guy Auto Expert John Cadogan who is an expert on mechanical engineering and especially fasteners. He had several videos which explain how any grease/lube on a part changes the applied torque. Long story short, most fittings that feel 'dry' to us are usually considered lightly greased, unless they've actually been well cleaned with a brake cleaner or similar. Assuming they are not cleaned and don't feel wet/greasy, torque to manf. spec. If you add oil/grease etc, even that 1-2 drops as Eric does here, you want to subtract 30% from torque spec when torquing. IE, is its spec'd for 1oo ft/lbs, you would torque a 'wet' fastener to about 70 ft/lbs. Just that small to us amount of lube is greatly reducing friction at the thread interfaces and the lubricity is greatly increasing actual torque. We just don't feel it, or register it on the torque wrench. In short, Eric is actually torque these spark plugs 30% greater than he thinks he is, or when he's done it before when not adding that oil. This is apparently well studied in and understood by the Fastener manf's, and I'd take Cadogan's opinion over the random YT's he's mentioned who give a WAG and say deduct 10% or some number they pulled out of their ass. Considering the fragility of spark plugs, unless you do this often just making them 'snug' can mean a lot of different things to people who are all sorts of different sizes, etc. FWIW, I've never been taken much with Honda's, just seemed to small inside compared to peers.
After working on Volkswagens for a long time, I am confused on why you didn't need any torx or triple square sockets. Like, this is really easy to work on and I'm jealous.
Ok, so I have issues with my 06 TL. The dash is cracked (due to poor glue at the factory.). The leather seats are cracked (they are not real leather.). The transmission was replaced due to poor aesthetics and build quality. The brakes squeal like a bitch when they’re cold. The best part? After owning the aforementioned car for 1 month WITH the build issues. I couldn’t imagine having another car besides the price to repair! Which I did and couldn’t be happier at 170k! That’s pretty impressive if I may say!!!
In the owners manual of this thing it says the only to use is the genuine Honda brake fluid because if you don't apparently according to the manual it will corrode the lines It said aftermarket Dot 3 or Dot 4 can be used temporarily
Ngk spark plugs are one of my favorite never seen any problems with gaps never needed to re gap brand new plugs from what I have seen some other brands I have noticed get damaged in shipping more then ngks do
I wish I knew how to work on cars! Thats gotta be great finding a cheap car that you can use for a daily and get alot of life out of it! I like these type of videos!
Hondas are actually easy to work on, I would suggest to get bitten by the Honda bug and learn on even if you're into other cars and then switch to the brand you like, like for example, it would be a terrible idea to start learning on german cars, those cars are a nightmare
Love the videos! U, chrisfix and SMA basically are helping me and my dad keep up this journey he bought off facebook, can u bring back the fix it forward series? I loved those! Keep em coming eric!
Regarding the ATF: I changed from the Honda ATF to the Valvoline MaxLife ATF. I have an '00 Odyssey with 270k and an '03 Accord with 380k. The Odyssey is the one with the notoriously bad transmissions. I've now begun to view changing the fluid on the trans like the oil, but it becomes rather expensive. Now I do a single drain and fill every other oil change. This is just an FYI of my experience. Spark Plug sockets have a rubber insert to hold the spark plug....just confused why the magnet?....Good advice on the brake fluid...I also bleed all around until clear as a lot of the"burnt" fluid settles in the calipers and the bleed clears them out. Check the ground to body connection; it may look ok at the battery, but somewhere in between corrosion will creep in weird, but it does. Dead on on the snow tires, the "thiner tires cut through the snow, the wide tires "float" on top. I'm now moving over to 0W- 20 for winter as the better option for winter flow. P.S. I'm the original owner of both vehicles.
As someone who just got a 3rd gen TL I am LOVING this series!
I got a 01 cl and it’s almost the same process as well lol same engine
Same here I got the 3.5 Type S with the 6-speed 07 to be specific
100% absolutely agree. Got an 06 Manual here with 200K+ and my goal is to hit over 300K. Great to have these types of vids.
05 TL here ‼️
04 coupe accord with TL type S parts, LSD transmission,brembo brakes and pcm
I've done all of these services on my TL in the past couple years - I am absolutely psyched to see you get a 3rd gen TL too. There is still much for a DIYer like myself to learn, and having somebody that was a Honda tech now making videos on this exact car is a dream come true. Thanks a ton for making these - the production quality is something not mentioned often, but everything from the scripting, the clear shots, the cuts, lighting, etc. is perfect. Can't wait to see future vids.
Great video. I know it takes a lot of time and effort to make these videos, just know that there are people out there that really appreciate your time and energy and love these videos. Thanks....
As a fellow Honda mechanic, hats off to you. I hope more people follow your wisdom of doing things the right way and not the Scotty Kilmer way.
Still the only RUclips mechanic I truly trust. So thorough. Keep up the great work! Also thanks for linking parts and tools info in the description
Scanner Danner, Pine Hollow, SMA and ETCG. Those are 4 kings of youtube automotive repair.
Scotty Killmer can go rot in hell. What a worthless washed up, brain dead mechanic stuck in the 80s
These videos are really relaxing to watch at 3 and 4 am when you can’t sleep. I love the quiet and peaceful shop. Plus you are super knowledgeable on cars. Always good to learn new stuff.
Same. I stress quite a bit so I turn to these series to relax.......and low key learn everything about a J series motor.
I own a 2G TL, and even though it's not *all* the same, it's super useful to see these maintenance items done by someone as skilled and experienced as you. I've definitely learned a ton from this series so far, you've done a really good job explaining and showing everything for sure!
I love these old-style ETCG videos! Keep them up Eric
I bought a 2008 Acura TL with 100k miles, she is my baby. I do all my own work on my car mostly thanks to you!!! Keep the videos coming 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Love Eric's comment at 20:56! I've got 3 kids soon to start high school. Knowing how to buy a used car and fixing it myself has saved our family thousands! My day job is being a software coder, you just need the right attitude to try things yourself.
I just bought an 06 TL, and i usually hate when videos are too long and dint get to the point and just skip over everything. but this video felt like i was watching my favorite show and now look forward to the next episode. very awesome and informative! makes me feel so comfortable working on my car with people like you and Chris making videos.
Thinking about getting a 06 TL, how do you like yours as of today?
I've had 3 v6 hondas and i still learned alot from this video. Thank you for recording this service!
Excellent video Eric. This should be required viewing for all J series owners. Keep up the great work!
Another great Eric video. He saved me thousands while I owned my 99TL. Alas, after 290K miles, my TL was officially retired and recycled. People retire to hot places like Arizona. Cars retire to see hot places like remelting furnaces. We are a Toyota house now.
Toyota house now too after my 99 Accord V6, great car, comfortable, but fewer costly repairs with Toyota
It was that amazing and reliable, but you bought a Yota instead of another Acura? :(
@@meticulouselectronics No major complaints with the TL. But I really really wanted a Tacoma.
I have been thinking about either a crv v or rav 4 the last gen rav 4 with a v6 it’s truly something else it has some serious power for a small suv.
Toyota are great vehicle but Honda has more character and has a sportier car line! If Toyota made a Corolla trd edition I'd buy!!!
By far the best and most knowledgeable in-depth maintenance video I've seen yet on RUclips for Acura/Honda's to-date. Appreciate the honest don't do this "from personal experience" references, priceless advice.
best Honda mechanic here hands down ! good work my man
So awesome that Eric is doing repair videos again! I have a 2008 Acura MDX, same engine, this is very helpful. Really looking forward to the power steering repair!
Love seeing you get back to your roots with the car service videos. I had a silver 05 TL with a manual and my mom had a white 08 that she just sold.
Only stranded by it once with a bad throttle position sensor that was improperly reinstalled by a shady shop after some service and had rattled to pieces. Other than that super reliable and well-built car.
Ended up selling mine at 152k for a brand new 2017 Civic SI 1.5t oil diluter! Haven't actually had any issues with the Civic diluting the oil though.
Good video. I'm on my 3rd 3g TL. Never have to replace them. I just find better ones. Resale is tremendous. Currently have a '07 Type S. Love it.
I bought my first one about 6 months ago, and completely love it! I keep looking for an 07-08 Type-S, but they're so hard to find with a manual.
Thanks for the suggestion. I've been checking it out, and they do seem like an awesome option. I'll start looking for deals.
Trevor Kinzer Can you please elaborate in detail about your TL cars? What you’ve loved. What you’ve hated?
The first thing is the aesthetics. Although this iteration came out 15 years ago, the design has aged pretty well. It still has a sharp look that doesn't look dated like other cars of the same era. The A-Spec package and some wheels finish it off nicely, but even in stock form, it still looks classy. I am going to retrofit the headlights to the RLX "Jewel Eyes" to make it look even more modern.
Second is the legendary Honda reliability. Mine has about 180,000 miles (mostly highway. I bought it from a friend, so I knew the history of the car), and still runs like a top. Keep up with the basic maintenance, and you will easily get 300,000 miles. The only thing I've done so far is a tuneup and a couple of oil changes.
The V-6 engine has a nice kick to it, but I still get around 35 MPG on the highway, and the manual 6-speed transmission is a blast! The leather interior is nice, quiet, and not overcomplicated with unnecessary bells and whistles.
Also, it is easy to work on. I do all my own maintenance/repairs.
Overall, it is a great car for the price, since you can find them extremely cheap. It's not a record-setting super sedan, it doesn't have a rear console with a refrigerator, etc. But if you need a comfortable, roomy, economical, and reliable entry-level luxury sedan, mine serves as a daily driver pretty well.
@@mrdave777 Ok. Loved: The overall look is great. The handling in corners is great and exceptional on Type S versions. Power on base models is more than adequate and very good on the Type S. Interior styling is still very good. Not near as dated as other cars from 04-08. I really like the control placement. Everything is where you would expect it. Mt wife has the 2nd gen MDX and it seems that the controls were somewhat taken from the TL so when I drive it I am right at home. Reselling is easy. I never have to come down on price. There is much more to love but will share a "hated". The Bluetooth module will die and drain your battery if you don't drive it for a couple days. Remove the module and save yourself the headache and wasted time to diagnose. Changing the headlight bulbs is complicated at best as well. That's about it.
I have been watching your videos for years and I'm glad to see you got the TL since that's my day to day driver.
20:51 Great advice and reason why I watch shows like this.... I learn from experts like you Eric plus some great comments.
Great videos. Now I know what they are doing at the Acura dealer when I have my TL serviced
Thanks Eric. I bought my '06 TL for $33,000 more than you did. It only has 75k miles and the original timing belt and brakes. Mostly freeway miles. I used to commute 80 miles per day in it. I know the timing belt is way over due and the brakes need to be checked out again. What a great car though. Nothing has broken or failed. I've done the maintenance since it went off warranty... just fluids. Still has the original spark plugs. I've done 130mph in it crossing Nevada. You can't be in overdrive to go that fast.
I have all the parts for the timing belt and water pump work. Will watch that video. Waiting for warm spring weather. I also have a 2005 F150 4x4 that gets driven regularly.
I agree on the Michelin Pilot Sport AS tires. Excellent. I put the next size up on it. The 245/45 x 17 helps protect the rims from curb rash and makes the speedo spot on... and they look right. Thanks for the BS free tech pointers. KUTGW
love these TL videos!!!!!! keep em coming
One thing I learned from Eric is how to hold a bottle of oil or ATF when pouring it. The big side (of the bottle) goes up, not down. You get less splashing that way. I know it sounds stupid, but it helps.
From 24,000 views in one week to 21k in less than a day! This is truly the type of content the average person/DIYer looks for, how to save money purchasing an inexpensive car and doing their own work with knowledge from someone who genuinely knows these vehicles from the inside out. Loved the video, wish you did Toyota’s ;( I watched all the way through and I don’t even own an Acura haha!
For Toyotas: ruclips.net/channel/UCc0508DmRG72ILIkc4Vr8ygvideos
Also good to mention, the transmission pressure switches tend to fail on these transmissions. They aren’t too expensive and should be changed on a car with that many miles. Nice informative video!
This is so nostalgic seeing you working on honda's
Very good that you showed the fill plug and location for the automatic transmission. I have a 2005 V6 Accord and it is exactly the same configuration as far as plug and location. Honda V6 owners should take note.
I was so addicted to that whole video. I have a TL 2004 that needs some maintenance.
Cool video, can't wait for the timing belt and waterpump. It's funny how the windshield is brand new in the beginning and busted towards the middle of the video.
Stupid timing belts… the sole reason why I didn’t buy an excellent condition 11’ Accord coupe V6 when I had the chance, it was a total deal breaker.
This is just like the best practices on how to maintain your Honda! Thanks Eric as always.
Yay, Eric is back to doing the type of videos that got me watching in the first place! Keep 'em coming Eric!
just bought an 04 tl. this seriies, and all your other videos are gold eric!! thank you. save us all money and time. Keep it up friend! you're up there with sootty kilmer!
For the brake fluid, I use a pump from an old shampoo dote with a foot of hose pushed onto the spout. One pump has lasted 8yrs so far.
Bob Reikowski definitely gonna have to try that out!
For me you are the best mechanic on youtube, always very well explained videos and really informative.. I have learnt so much from you Eric thanks!!
I super enjoy these videos.. I literally listen them while i do everything from working on cars to go shopping, i listen while.i do door dash, i listen while buttf ing my wife, while i ride my dirt bike the voice is soothing and consistent never going.. Uhh or like.. Or uhh like.. Pretty on point eric.. Pretty much sayin best commentary online that doesn't bore ya to.death..
When filling your oil, you can use a cut-open bottle of brake fluid as a funnel. The threads on the bottle perfectly fit the opening of the fill port.
I actually have one of those. I've used it in other videos, but this funnel was handy so I grabbed it. That is an excellent hack BTW. Thanks for the comment.
Thank you ETCG. Valuable tips--- "Protip, make sure your funnel is secure before pouring in the liquid..." I have a '09 V6 and can extrapolate these steps, the structure seems very similar, and carry on to more miles and more smiles. Your videos are invaluable. Happy New Year, keep 'em coming. Greetings from the OC/ So Cal.
This was so beautiful man. The information, the small tips, and the way you explained things
NICE!!!! I paid $600 for a 2004 Acura MDX and all it needs is pressure solenoids and Shift B Solenoid and she's in them streets! But how the heck you paid $200 for a bad cool car is beyond me. Fantastic video man!
Friday + a long ETCG video = awesome.
Even voluntarily wachted two ads for ya. One of which was Porsche claiming its electric car had 0 emissions. They must be plugging it in, in a unicorn socket at the end of a rainbow. It's a 60 second fantasy story. :D
Honda ATF (HCF-2 specifically) is especially important for their CVTs. I did a change on my Fit and it was surprisingly easy (except fro the drain plug pointing towards the wheel). Too bad I can't really check the levels, as there's no dipstick and it's sealed. It was as easy as an oil change, if not more so (no filter). Definitely pricey fluid, though.
For future reference there is a 12mm plug on the front of the transmission that you can remove and it will drain the extra fluid and set the level.
Great video! Just recently replaced my 98 Cherokee with an 06 TL. Your video is helping me slowly go through this car since I know zero about it!❤
best part of the morning so far
WAIT WHAT!?!?! eric started doing more service type videos again thats awesome!!!!! i love the older videos and not that his newer videos were bad just less to my taste... regardless he is the GODFATHER of mechanic videos on YT... good stuff hope to see more!!!!!
@ericthecarguy after reading comments below... please dont think its a question of quality!!!! you make and have always worked to increase the quality of your videos... however me personally i have always like more diag/ service type videos instead of "project" type videos... i have long sense purchase all or at least most of your paid videos and you are one of the best teachers out there your stuff is excellent!!!!
This is awesome. I have a 2006 Acura TL in super mint condition, but my wife took it to Jiffy Lube whiel i was away and they conned her into changing the Transmission Fluid... (god know what they put in there) its driving good, only drove it 20 / 30 miles since, but i'm going to take it to acura on friday to do a proper transmission fluid. Thanks for this video!
I’ve always checked the gap as most plugs are designed to fit more than one engine. Even a similar engine of different years can require a different gap.
I did the spark plugs on a lexus ls400 and got the ngk's and all the gaps were off by 2 marks but im tedious that way.i agree with what you say.i know its not alot to make a misfire but still.
sitting here enjoying my coffee and watching you do what i should be doing to my own car, here's wishing you, your family and friend's and all your followers a safe and wonderful upcoming holiday's and a happy new year @ericthecarguy , love your content!
Thank you. Happy Holidays to you and family as well!
@@ericthecarguy awesome!
"...bad things will happen, BAD things WILL happen."
-ETCG
So, you are saying *bad* things will happen?
It is great seeing this. Makes me miss my Acura tech days. I remember doing the P/S hose recall for the first time and loosing my shirt. I figured out to just slightly bend the line to get it under the mount bracket.
For the battery terminals I was under the impression lithium grease is best to use on the battery terminals.
Just did my P/S hose and I know exactly how you felt lol. I just bent mine around the mount and used a zip tie to hold it down.
nice to see you back online!
I'm with you on your tire philosophy Eric - Narrow with tall sidewalls (smaller diameter rim) for the winter and wider with lower sidewalls for the other seasons (larger diameter rims, but not crazy large; I'm not into parking hard).
In my experience, Subaru and Toyota also require OEM fluids in them for longevity; maybe it's a Japanese manufacturer thing, or the fact that a lot of them use manufacturer specific parts where the domestics tend to farm out their components to third parties.
maybe I watched too much nascar as a kid, but low profile tires don't grab me like they do for a lot of people; and again, if you look at racing, narrow sidewalls don't seem to be a big deal either (F1, NASCAR). I get it, and anything is better than the trend that has ultra small sidewalls with tires 50 mm too narrow all done with 30 degree camber at all wheels and lowered to the point it scrapes on crosswalk paint; but I'm just a grumpy old man!
Now that was a good service, if that engine could smile it would :-D.
This video feels like the old ones you used to do, except you have a beard now lol.
Honestly I bristle at comments like that. I don't feel the quality was any different in the #ETCGMiniSeries, #ETCGDadsTruck, or #FairmontProject videos. The only difference is this series is on a Honda. I suppose that tells me what the audience wants though. Thank you as always for your input and comments.
@@ericthecarguy Your opening statement was a bad pun - intended or not. :-)
@@ericthecarguy I don't know what zx8401ztv meant but I came here to make a similar comment. This vid did feel kind of oldschool. That doesn't mean I didn't like the Truck and Fairmont vids, I did and I hope there will be updates on both of those projects. Those are just different types of vids. Straight up service vs. building stuff. Both are cool. Cheers.
@@ericthecarguy i think it's ment in a very positive way 😉
@@ericthecarguy When they said old school, I was thinking more like before those series; like early ETCG. You seemed a bit more candid as if you were having more fun in it. I can't even pinpoint why, and it doesn't detract from other videos or series you've done for us.
My thoughts through part of the video seeing how empty/clean your garage is now were ... I'd think I'd be having some empty nest syndrome! The shop looks huge and sparse without the extra cars in there!
Love that this engine is in my Accord. Have always trusted your videos Eric.
Enjoying the TL content. Amusing because my wife had an 06 that is long gone but no forgotten. This was the car that changed my "Honda is God" complex. I knew every issue with this car that you have described. Right down to the door handle trim pieces falling off. The v-tech was a real treat too. As long as you knew you needed it ten seconds before you did! Have not heard you mention any radio issues yet but on hers it would only sometimes work or randomly blast at full volume if your forgot to turn it off. Would pretty much run you off the road. lol
They had most of the issues sorted out with these vehicles by the time they got to the 08s. From my experience, the 99-03s were the worst TLs.
@@ericthecarguy That body style TL IMO, remains one of the most beautifully styled cars ever mass produced. The lines were perfect and don't seem dated even in 2019. After it was totaled, she only wanted to buy another. And the few seconds waiting for the vtech, worth the wait:)
I think this is the most love this car probably ever had! This is what I do to all the vehicles I buy. I need to know the age of all my fluids, belts, filters, etc. Eric , a good idea is to upgrade that dipstick with an aftermarket all metal one.
Do they make a metal one,,,,please link it on here please!!
@@saxonfan I can't remember where I got it. I don't even have the car anymore.
@@seeya205 ok I will keep looking...thanks again
This video helps me a lot make it easy for me to work in the car
Again...I use Maxlife trans fluid. Lucas power steering fluid. Mobil 1. Aftermarket radiator fluid. And I’m known to use 87 octane.
My 06 TL runs superbly! 170k miles...
Can’t wait for the timing belt job I bought a used 2004 Acura TL 6 speed the previous owner didn’t care much about it I’m basically doing the same repairs you are performing
Great video Eric, I really appreciate the effort that goes into making them. Wishing a Merry Christmas to you and your family.
I've been using castrol transmission fluid for 120,000 miles with no problem.
Peter Boissiere best stuff is the castrol syntran
Nice video as usual Eric.
could watch this for years...great job
Eric, I’d highly recommend removing that Acura badge from the main engine cover. Ive heard they can come off from old age and possibly tear up a radiator fan and/or radiator itself. Or just leave the covers off it helps with heat soak.
I have a 04 TL I replace the terminals before but then I just bought from Acura Parts Warehouse the positive and negative and they come with the cables you can bolt them on this car is very sensitive when it comes to the battery and grounds.i know your a master honda technician and you know alot more then me. Just wanted to put my opinion in. Thanks for your videos. I've learned a lot
Good video thanks.
I didnt have a turkey baster so used an old trigger mechanism from a spray bottle....it worked well and put everything directly into the container.
You mention "cheap insurance." That's so true. Full coverage (liability, comprehensive, $500 deductible collision) on my ''92 Accord is $18 a month! My '88 Acura Legend I think is $22.
I have an 07 TL, and I'm loving these videos... Aside from the videos you have mentioned... I would love to see video on the "Transmission Range Switch/Safety Switch"..... I'm getting an intermittent flashing "D" light and a check engine P1717 code. I cannot find really good detailed videos of this repair... I love your level of work, and detailed video production you make... So I you love you see a video on transmission maintenance..
A couple things I didn't see mentioned that are known on this car: 1) Compliance bushings in the lower front suspension = bad alignment and front end clunk 2) Powersteering recall = probably done years ago on this car 3) Nav models had parasitic electric drain issues = random no-start 4) Doorhandle end caps often pop off
I just got an 06 Acura TL base and suspension and both front fenders will all need to be replaced. But I just replaced those spark plus and saw zero oil, changed the oil and it came out fine no sludge. Even changed the transmission fluid. Just need to get some new suspension parts and 18in rim/tires. It’s running 20’s and one tire is 275/35/20, another 265/35/20, 235,35,20, and 245/35/20. Absolutely crazy
You need to make yourself a spark plug installation tool from a seldom used long #3 Phillips screw driver and an old spark plug boot. What's nice about this tool is that you can hand tighten the plugs and feel if there is any galling in the threads. Starting the threads is super easy because of the "bend-ability".
Could also use a plastic tube (same kind that you would use when bleeding the brakes). It will also "stop" if the threads are off, but won't damage them.
I’m very surprised you didn’t use full synthetic esp on a modern VTEC engine. I found your channel bc of my 2009 Accord i4 which I had for 5 years. I miss that car. Now I have a 2010 Camry 2.5L i4 and the car needed a lot of work. Basically I did everything you just did on the TL, plus full suspension and details. As control arms, ball joints, tire rods front and rear. It’s got 175K. Runs like a top and it has steelies on General Altimax in the winter! Also went a size smaller and narrower!
you could of changing the screws to a smaller one in stead of enlarging process , but you still did like always... a good job
I think any mechanic has double gasket the oil filter at least once it makes you pay attention in the future
Just got an 08 TL....this video is very helpful 👍🏽
Really enjoying this series.! Keep up the great work.
a MAJOR THANK YOU, Helped me get mines back in the game.
Very nice vid Eric and excellent choices regarding your tires :)
FUN! How boring is it to watch 40 minutes of car maintenance? I replay in my mind my car DIY tune up with Eric's pro tips and compare. I did pretty good.
Put a bottle of AT205 RESEALER in the oil and run it and i guarantee the oil leaks will disappear period its fixed permanently ! Best product i have ever seen it will even fix high pressure pumps like power steering pumps any seal period if they are rubber seals ! I had a automatic trans in a ford ranger that was pouring trans fluid out of the front seal as fast as you could pour it in ! I put a bottle in the trans and immediately it went to a drip ! I then drove it a mile down the road and came back and it was fixed completely and never leaked again ! This stuff is gold !
Having all the right tools for the job makes the job so much easier
Loving the old school vibe I get! A+ Video!
Thank u for taking the time to share this very useful information. It is greatly appreciated sir
I want to see the valve adjustment and the engine oil seal replacement on this.
That’s very detailed. Thanks a lot for making such videos. You are a real help and motivation.
The j series engines are awesome. I have a 13 accord v6. Best car I’ve ever owned
Eric I recently had a spark plug blow out on my 04 tl, it is a common issue, I would definitely recommend retorquing the plugs every 10k miles or so, a lot easier to do that than it is fixing blown out threads.. best of luck with the car
That's unfortunate. I haven't seen that yet.
Just an FYI, there is a guy Auto Expert John Cadogan who is an expert on mechanical engineering and especially fasteners. He had several videos which explain how any grease/lube on a part changes the applied torque. Long story short, most fittings that feel 'dry' to us are usually considered lightly greased, unless they've actually been well cleaned with a brake cleaner or similar. Assuming they are not cleaned and don't feel wet/greasy, torque to manf. spec. If you add oil/grease etc, even that 1-2 drops as Eric does here, you want to subtract 30% from torque spec when torquing. IE, is its spec'd for 1oo ft/lbs, you would torque a 'wet' fastener to about 70 ft/lbs. Just that small to us amount of lube is greatly reducing friction at the thread interfaces and the lubricity is greatly increasing actual torque. We just don't feel it, or register it on the torque wrench. In short, Eric is actually torque these spark plugs 30% greater than he thinks he is, or when he's done it before when not adding that oil.
This is apparently well studied in and understood by the Fastener manf's, and I'd take Cadogan's opinion over the random YT's he's mentioned who give a WAG and say deduct 10% or some number they pulled out of their ass.
Considering the fragility of spark plugs, unless you do this often just making them 'snug' can mean a lot of different things to people who are all sorts of different sizes, etc. FWIW, I've never been taken much with Honda's, just seemed to small inside compared to peers.
After working on Volkswagens for a long time, I am confused on why you didn't need any torx or triple square sockets. Like, this is really easy to work on and I'm jealous.
ruclips.net/video/q1AZnb4ft1s/видео.html
@@ericthecarguy ha, of course you have a video on it! Humble mechanic is an awesome channel too.
On Honda's all you need are a 10 socket and wire ties!!! VW are cool esp the 2.5!
Ok, so I have issues with my 06 TL. The dash is cracked (due to poor glue at the factory.). The leather seats are cracked (they are not real leather.). The transmission was replaced due to poor aesthetics and build quality. The brakes squeal like a bitch when they’re cold.
The best part? After owning the aforementioned car for 1 month WITH the build issues. I couldn’t imagine having another car besides the price to repair! Which I did and couldn’t be happier at 170k!
That’s pretty impressive if I may say!!!
FYI: 16" wheels (and many 17's) won't fit the 6-speeds or Type-S TL's that come with Brembo 4-piston front calipers.
Great series thank you etcg,Merry Christmas everyone ✌
In the owners manual of this thing it says the only to use is the genuine Honda brake fluid because if you don't apparently according to the manual it will corrode the lines It said aftermarket Dot 3 or Dot 4 can be used temporarily
Ngk spark plugs are one of my favorite never seen any problems with gaps never needed to re gap brand new plugs from what I have seen some other brands I have noticed get damaged in shipping more then ngks do
NGK plugs are package very well. They have a cardboard cylinder over the threads and electrodes that protects them
One of my Bosch plugs was off by a mile with no apparent damage on the box. Should be 0.8 mm / .032", but it was 1.2 mm / .048"
@@VortechBand tell me you're not using BOSCH plugs on Hondas, ONLY use NGKs, you dont have to trust me research it online and you'll see
@@dawicked2k8 Not on a Honda, just commenting in general about whether you should check the gap on new plugs :)
@@VortechBand 👍
Great video Eric! Thank you! How do you recocomend checking the level of transmission fluid?
I wish I knew how to work on cars! Thats gotta be great finding a cheap car that you can use for a daily and get alot of life out of it! I like these type of videos!
Hondas are actually easy to work on, I would suggest to get bitten by the Honda bug and learn on even if you're into other cars and then switch to the brand you like, like for example, it would be a terrible idea to start learning on german cars, those cars are a nightmare
Good video! Just the thing I didn’t know I needed to see!
Love the videos! U, chrisfix and SMA basically are helping me and my dad keep up this journey he bought off facebook, can u bring back the fix it forward series? I loved those! Keep em coming eric!
Regarding the ATF: I changed from the Honda ATF to the Valvoline MaxLife ATF. I have an '00 Odyssey with 270k and an '03 Accord with 380k. The Odyssey is the one with the notoriously bad transmissions. I've now begun to view changing the fluid on the trans like the oil, but it becomes rather expensive. Now I do a single drain and fill every other oil change. This is just an FYI of my experience.
Spark Plug sockets have a rubber insert to hold the spark plug....just confused why the magnet?....Good advice on the brake fluid...I also bleed all around until clear as a lot of the"burnt" fluid settles in the calipers and the bleed clears them out. Check the ground to body connection; it may look ok at the battery, but somewhere in between corrosion will creep in weird, but it does. Dead on on the snow tires, the "thiner tires cut through the snow, the wide tires "float" on top.
I'm now moving over to 0W- 20 for winter as the better option for winter flow.
P.S. I'm the original owner of both vehicles.