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.
What did you do today to your 2003-2008 Pilot?
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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:
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![137712]()
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:
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I just went out and backed the bolt out about 2 turns, then it got super tight. I used a syringe and needle to inject 6cc of PBblaster under the bolt head so it ran down the threads and not all over the bracket. Waited about 15 minutes, then cranked on the bolt some more and got it to come out. Here's a photo, showing why it didn't want to come out easily. Several of the last few threads were all gunked up with galled aluminum. I chased the threads of the hole in the bracket with a tap and then used the new bolt and everything seems good now. I'll definitely use some antiseize when I'm back in there this weekend. But maybe that explains why several people have broken that bolt when trying to remove it from the bracket.
I've got a couple plastic oil drain cans that I use for catching fluids, but one doesn't have a lid so whatever you catch in it will dissipate the odor into the garage. The Honda DW-1 ATF doesn't smell bad at all, but the Maxlife smells horrible. I used Honda genuine VTM-4 fluid for the rear diff. It's stinky too, but not as bad as other diff fluids I've worked with, and kind of reminds me of the smell of the Navy ships I've been on.If you're dabbing a little behind your ears and/or elsewhere, you're doing it wrong. It's not enchanting Eau de Max.
Of course you used VTM-4 fluid only for your rear diff, right?
Congrats on the full size spare. You are now a Piloteer worthy of the name.
But I'm still required by statute to ask, "Valve side up or down?"
I bought one of those Slippery Pete pumps from Amazon for this job, and it worked okay at first but broke all apart after I removed it from the jug when I was putting everything away, so it ended up getting diff fluid all over the cardboard sheets I was using to protect my floor. So easy cleanup, and I threw the pump away, but still managed to stink the place up all afternoon. I'll try the Harbor Freight pump next time, since it's still kind of a one-time-use kind of thing, and it's easier to throw out an oily pump than try to clean it and store it till the next rear diff change.
And I put the new spare with the valve side up. I've read all the threads about the pros and cons of the different methods when I was researching what year tires would fit on mine, but luckily found the same year and model in the junkyard so I know it's the exact same wheel. I can see the spare tire if I stand behind the Pilot now, so I know why most people might prefer the look of the tiny spare, but since I travel in remote areas with no cell coverage regularly, the security of knowing I've got a full size spare is worth it. I also carry appropriate tools in the back for emergencies. I'd like to find a better jack to keep in the Pilot though since I know the factory jack has its limitations.
I didn't open the PS reservoir to see if it would puke fluid, but mine was way louder than the one in that video. I was really worried it was the pump going bad because it was a harsh metal-grinding sound, but figured the o-ring was a good first step. Instead of fighting with the bolt under the hose fitting, I just unbolted the PS pump entirely from the engine so that I could tilt it up, put a 10mm socket on that little bolt, and then I didn't loose any fluid when I pulled the hose off. Having easy access to that little bolt allowed me to easily reinstall it to 8 ft-lbs when done, per the manual.And did you have a ¼" swivel socket?
Ah yes. All those days of working in my hot garage are long past. No tank tops now though, our high temp was 42F today. My Pilot took me to plenty of beach trips and mountain adventures in the past several months, and I think it's one of the most enjoyable vehicles I've had in the past 25 years.
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