[Oh3CoPilot]

Replaced NGK Laser Platinum spark plugs with NGK Ruthenium HX plugs on my 03'. Oil change with Amsoil 0w-40 Signature Series oil and Amsoil EA filter. Why 0w-40 instead of the recommended 5w-20? The 0w will flow a little faster on cold starts in the winter and the 40 will protect much better on 90F+ (outside air temp.) summer days.

Also, I called NGK and verified that sparkplugs.com is an authorized distributor/seller (they didn't have them listed on their website) so, I get real plugs and not counterfeits. Yes, there is a whole world of fake/counterfeit auto parts out there and I would recommend not buying auto parts off of Ebay. If you're not buying directly from the stealership, definitely go to the manufactures website and look up their authorized distributor/seller's and if they don't have this information posted give them a call.

Here are some fun for the whole family spark plug pics:

 

[Sha93]

Blackout the grille & emblem
(no i don't want it glossy/shiny) matte black FTW
( tomorrow patch up the grille, then maybe blacken the rear H , Pilot & 4WD emblem )

 

[plplplpl]

Ruthenium

Ruthenium - Element information, properties and uses | Periodic Table

 

[zgmfx20a]

I spent nearly 10hrs doing the first valve clearance, changed cracked valve cover gasket and the manifold gaskets. I went over each valve three times just to be sure I didn't mess up lol.

I also cleaned the valve covers and manifold internals, no before pics but you can still see some varnish in crevices. Carb cleaner worked awesome, I kept them soaked while I was adjusting, some brushing and finally aired them with like 150psi to blow left over debris.

 

[d2freeman]

Replaced my alternator @ 285k miles.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

 

[ConrodM]

Plan is to get shop organized for my 1st valve adjustment. Adjusting starts tomorrow and yes, I will be checking 3 times with torque wrench 😉👍. If all goes well, then off to doing oil change and 1st ATF Filter (for Pilot) and ATF D/F with Maxlife. 220k miles and now y’all have me thinking about the 5W30 or 5W40 oil in lieu of standard 5W20? It’s Hot in Florida!
Oh..also will be installing new ngk IX plugs during valve project👍
It’s Fun Stuff & $ Saving!! 😊👍

 

[.298121]

If you want to get the DTC's from your heater/air conditioner, follow this procedure:

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Turn the fan switch off.
3. Press and release the recirc button so its on (light is on).
4. Pres and hold recirc button to get codes. Wait for the light to come on for 2 secs, then you will get blinking light codes.

# of blinks

1 Problem with blower motor circuit
2 Problem in the air mix control motor circuit
3 Problem in the mode control motor circuit
4 Problem in the evaporator temp sensor circuit

 

[ConrodM]

If you want to get the DTC's from your heater/air conditioner, follow this procedure:

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Turn the fan switch off.
3. Press and release the recirc button so its on (light is on).
4. Pres and hold recirc button to get codes. Wait for the light to come on for 2 secs, then you will get blinking light codes.

# of blinks

1 Problem with blower motor circuit
2 Problem in the air mix control motor circuit
3 Problem in the mode control motor circuit
4 Problem in the evaporator temp sensor circuit

Oohhhhh That’s Cool!!! Thanks man! Never knew this.

 

[andywatson]

Plan is to get shop organized for my 1st valve adjustment. Adjusting starts tomorrow and yes, I will be checking 3 times with torque wrench 😉👍. If all goes well, then off to doing oil change and 1st ATF Filter (for Pilot) and ATF D/F with Maxlife. 220k miles and now y’all have me thinking about the 5W30 or 5W40 oil in lieu of standard 5W20? It’s Hot in Florida!
Oh..also will be installing new ngk IX plugs during valve project👍
It’s Fun Stuff & $ Saving!! 😊👍

Allow lots of time for the valve adjustment, it's tedious and hard on your back and legs when working on the back bank. I just finished mine in a hot humid garage, so I took lots of breaks to cool down and keep my body from cramping up after hunching over the engine for 2 days.

 

[Sha93]

Redid the Pilots Grille

Blackout with Duplicolor TR250 Truck Bed Liner Black Paint from spray can. ($10.79 at Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance )

Was looking beautiful after 2 coats...

Started to put on 3rd coat and things went "bad"

Prep;
Sandpaper area with 200grits paper
Clean and dry
Add 1 or 2 light coat of primer

Coating steps;
Step 1: Sweep left 2 feet from base of target
Step 2: Sweep right 2 feet from base of target
Step 3: Sweep left 2 feet from base of target

...wait 5 minutes, then repeat coating steps above

...total of 6 sweeps from 2ft away.
wait 1 hour to cure before touching

If you do coating steps a third time, you might start getting these "water drops" look/texture
( or this could've been caused by bad spray nozzle, or me failing to hold can upside-down, most negative reviews about Duplicolor is the nozzle failure and people having to turn can 180 degrees down for spray to work)

Will redo when I feel like it -.-

 

[ckeator]

Those spots are referred to as 'fisheyes'. There was 'something' on the grill that caused the paint to not adhere - the most common culprit is oily residue followed by dust. You've actually got them everywhere - did you wash the grill with alcohol, mineral spirits or lacquer thinner before spraying?

 

[Oh3CoPilot]

Redid the Pilots Grille

Blackout with Duplicolor TR250 Truck Bed Liner Black Paint from spray can. ($10.79 at Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance )

Was looking beautiful after 2 coats...

Started to put on 3rd coat and things went "bad"



View attachment 137755

Prep;
Sandpaper area with 200grits paper
Clean and dry
Add 1 or 2 light coat of primer

Coating steps;
Step 1: Sweep left 2 feet from base of target
Step 2: Sweep right 2 feet from base of target
Step 3: Sweep left 2 feet from base of target

...wait 5 minutes, then repeat coating steps above

...total of 6 sweeps from 2ft away.
wait 1 hour to cure before touching

If you do coating steps a third time, you might start getting these "water drops" look/texture
( or this could've been caused by bad spray nozzle, or me failing to hold can upside-down, most negative reviews about Duplicolor is the nozzle failure and people having to turn can 180 degrees down for spray to work)

View attachment 137758 View attachment 137757
View attachment 137756

Will redo when I feel like it -.-

If you have to be that close to see it then it's not that bad of a job with those few spots.

 

[ConrodM]

Allow lots of time for the valve adjustment, it's tedious and hard on your back and legs when working on the back bank. I just finished mine in a hot humid garage, so I took lots of breaks to cool down and keep my body from cramping up after hunching over the engine for 2 days.

Yes sir!! My plans too! Back is tight now and haven’t even started!! LOL. I bought a moving blanket from HF to drape over Engine as I will try the belly flop approach to do the rear valves. If that doesn’t work, I have a 2 ft tall bench that standing on might do some good for extended reaching? I’m 5’-11” 198 pounds- should have layed off all the beer and peach ice cream & BBQ Ribs past few weeks!!! But....the 4th is always party time and you have to practice before hand 😉👍

 

[ckeator]

I'm built like a linebacker (6'0 and 250#), and honestly, I didn't think adjusting the valves on my '03 was that bad. It took me about 6-8hrs but half the time was simply spent waiting for the valve covers to soak so I could peel off the crud and crusty old gaskets. I was working on a few other projects the same day and rotated back and forth between those and the Pilot.

The only real frustration I had was I bought the special valve adjustment tool and found it useless, there just wasn't enough space for the wrench to be useful. I ended up using a shorter wrench and separate screwdriver, which just typically takes a bit longer.

Yes, use the 2ft high bench - I used a 20" high portable fold up work platform (the kind you use when working on 8 ft ceilings in your house) and it was perfect. I would also recommend starting with the back and finish with the front - this puts the initial strain on your back and neck which makes the front valves seem like butter....

 

[cnelson0641]

This is the kind of stuff I like to see! I just posted a thread about a cyl5 catastrophic failure, and I was thinking about doing a valve adjustment pre-emptively.

Sounds like for a valve adjustment, I just need new gaskets for the head and valve covers as I take them off? Any other special tools (aside from the valve adjustment tool which looks as useless as ckeator says it is)?

--Chris N.

 

[Depleted Islet]

I finally got my Roam rooftop awning! I’ll be able to install it tomorrow after my brother makes a square tube spacer for me! I’ll post pics!

 

[andywatson]

This is the kind of stuff I like to see! I just posted a thread about a cyl5 catastrophic failure, and I was thinking about doing a valve adjustment pre-emptively.

Sounds like for a valve adjustment, I just need new gaskets for the head and valve covers as I take them off? Any other special tools (aside from the valve adjustment tool which looks as useless as ckeator says it is)?

--Chris N.

You have to remove the intake plenum to get the valve covers off, so buy a set of intake gaskets too (EGR lid gasket, upper and lower spacer gasket, and throttle body). I also had ordered one of those specialty valve adjustment tools but found it useless for the exhaust valves because it's too long, and kind of clunky and inaccurate for the intakes valves, so I just did the ol' wrench and screwdriver method. Also need an accurate torque wrench for setting the valve nuts to the right torque, as well as when you bolt the plenum and cover back on. If you haven't removed your EGR port cover and cleaned it recently, you'll want some cleaner to remove all the built-up crud you're gonna find in there. I used 4 cans of cleaner on my lid and intake manifold.

 

[ConrodM]

This is the kind of stuff I like to see! I just posted a thread about a cyl5 catastrophic failure, and I was thinking about doing a valve adjustment pre-emptively.

Sounds like for a valve adjustment, I just need new gaskets for the head and valve covers as I take them off? Any other special tools (aside from the valve adjustment tool which looks as useless as ckeator says it is)?

--Chris N.

Only other thing I’ve seen on vids is some using a large socket to press in the tube seals. Didn’t get one and think I will attempt to remove a seal and see how it goes. Not sure “if it ain’t broke... don’t fix it applies”???

 

[ConrodM]

Only other thing I’ve seen on vids is some using a large socket to press in the tube seals. Didn’t get one and think I will attempt to remove a seal and see how it goes. Not sure “if it ain’t broke... don’t fix it “ applies???

Also got a set of Offset feeler gauges and some extra long gauges 12”. Will let y’all know which worked best

 

[ConrodM]

You have to remove the intake plenum to get the valve covers off, so buy a set of intake gaskets too (EGR lid gasket, upper and lower spacer gasket, and throttle body). I also had ordered one of those specialty valve adjustment tools but found it useless for the exhaust valves because it's too long, and kind of clunky and inaccurate for the intakes valves, so I just did the ol' wrench and screwdriver method. Also need an accurate torque wrench for setting the valve nuts to the right torque, as well as when you bolt the plenum and cover back on. If you haven't removed your EGR port cover and cleaned it recently, you'll want some cleaner to remove all the built-up crud you're gonna find in there. I used 4 cans of cleaner on my lid and intake manifold.

I believe I posted a picture of the gaskets and part numbers while replacing my Knock Sensor. Just do a search with my name