What did you do today to your 2003-2008 Pilot?

164504 Views 2525 Replies 98 Participants Last post by kellym, 5 d ago

Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2020 (Edited)

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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Maritime

· #2,421 · 4 mo ago

Cousin Itt said:
That reminds me of the time the Stepson kept adding oil to an 85 Olds Cutlass wagon without checking the dipstick because the oil light came on. It overflowed a 15 quart oil pan when I drained it. Not sure how the engine even ran with that much oil in it. Not even sure how many gallons he had put in. The oil sending unit had gone bad.

Ha, reminds me of today, very un-mechanical coworker came in the office and said, "damn I think my brakes are done, will need to buy a new car sooner than I thought, the light came on and it barely stopped in the lot." I said "bud, lets go out at lunch and check you master cylinder" He asked "What's that?" so out we go at 12 and I pop the hood on his very old and well loved Mazda 3 GT 6 speed and low and behold his master is bone dry. I drive him the 3 min away to the auto parts store and we get a big ol bottle of Dot3 and fill it, pump brakes, fill it and a few fills later brakes are solid again. I told him he likely has a slow leak and to check the fluid but he's still buying a new car, the 3 won't pass safety next month LOL. He said in all the years I've owned a car I've never put brake fluid in one or even knew it was a thing. he said he thought the light was to tell him the pads were done.

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plplplpl

· #2,422 · 4 mo ago

And that is why we (used to be able to) get decent used cars with a lot of life left in them.

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Cousin Itt

· #2,423 · 4 mo ago

plplplpl said:
And that is why we (used to be able to) get decent used cars with a lot of life left in them.

Still can, but it takes a little longer to find them.
Matter of being in the right place at the right time, or knowing someone that is.
I see quite a few at the boneyards I wish I could have gotten to before they ended up there, but those that do supply our replacement parts.

Reactions: 4

ConrodM

· #2,424 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

Got P0420 3 days ago after clearing it from 1k miles ago. Approximately 500miles today and didn’t come back yet. Looked for loose/shorted wires yesterday and all seemed fine.

Cool Story today on my way to Louisiana:
Skipped a rest stop then coming up on next one when something told me to take it. Hit the head, got my traditional Rest Stop delight ( Mississippi Mud Ice Cream Sandwich) and did some stretching while enjoyin. Finished, carried wrapping to trash can. Turn around headed to Pilot and noticed a suv with hood opened and several older people looking at engine. It was a Pilot! Turned around and asked if they needed help. Nice lady said yes, I asked if any lights on dash such as check engine. Yes. Asked if she wanted me to check for codes- Yes please. Pulled out my scanner as she and everyone was thanking me. Found typical missfire codes on this 2003 164k mile Pilot. She said they just picked it up today from shop 3+ hrs from their house in Ga. and it had been there 6- months ( family member recommended guy who broke away from stealorship and fixing in his spare time). Advised that the codes are typically related to Valve adjustment which should be done at 105k intervals along with timing belt. Lady was thanking God the whole time I was scanning. She asked that I clear the code and I did with the understanding that she would take it to a shop again. Told her the rest stop decisions and asked that she share with her church Sunday 😄👍👍.
Her motor was very smooth and sounded great so I’m wondering if the mechanic forgot to just clear all the codes. She said he was to fix everything on the motor after a spark plug broke and damaged it. Told her to only get plugs from autozone or advanced auto- No ebay or Amazon.
I feel confident they made it the 1-1.5 hr drive back home. I’m hoping that the check engine light never came on again.

EDIT: All this to say- without this Wonderful Forum I wouldn’t have been able to do any this! Thank You Piloteers!! 🫵👍👍

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Nail Grease

· #2,425 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
Got P0420 3 days ago after clearing it from 1k miles ago. Approximately 500miles today and didn’t come back yet. Looked for loose/shorted wires yesterday and all seemed fine.

Cool Story today on my way to Louisiana:
Skipped a rest stop then coming up on next one when something told me to take it. Hit the head, got my traditional Rest Stop delight ( Mississippi Mud Ice Cream Sandwich) and did some stretching while enjoyin. Finished, carried wrapping to trash can. Turn around headed to Pilot and noticed a suv with hood opened and several older people looking at engine. It was a Pilot! Turned around and asked if they needed help. Nice lady said yes, I asked if any lights on dash such as check engine. Yes. Asked if she wanted me to check for codes- Yes please. Pulled out my scanner as she and everyone was thanking me. Found typical missfire codes on this 2003 164k mile Pilot. She said they just picked it up today from shop 3+ hrs from their house in Ga. and it had been there 6- months ( family member recommended guy who broke away from stealorship and fixing in his spare time). Advised that the codes are typically related to Valve adjustment which should be done at 105k intervals along with timing belt. Lady was thanking God the whole time I was scanning. She asked that I clear the code and I did with the understanding that she would take it to a shop again. Told her the rest stop decisions and asked that she share with her church Sunday 😄👍👍.
Her motor was very smooth and sounded great so I’m wondering if the mechanic forgot to just clear all the codes. She said he was to fix everything on the motor after a spark plug broke and damaged it. Told her to only get plugs from autozone or advanced auto- No ebay or Amazon.
I feel confident they made it the 1-1.5 hr drive back home. I’m hoping that the check engine light never came on again.

EDIT: All this to say- without this Wonderful Forum I wouldn’t have been able to do any this! Thank You Piloteers!! 🫵👍👍

I’m not a fan of buying spark plugs from big box stores, lol, but loved your story. Hope they made it home safely 😌🙏.

Reactions: 3

PHM

· #2,426 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
EDIT: All this to say- without this Wonderful Forum I wouldn’t have been able to do any this! Thank

Yes, I agree, I find this forum very helpful. In my day it was fix by trial and error until in time you learned how to repair cars properly. Saves a lot of trips to the library hoping they have a manual for the type of repair you are doing. We are spoiled now that we have the internet and good people on the forums to guide us along.

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ConrodM

· #2,427 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

Nail Grease said:
I’m not a fan of buying spark plugs from big box stores, lol, but loved your story. Hope they made it home safely 😌🙏.

Me too! Seems like they only had approximately 70 miles left and as smooth as their engine was idling I feel confident they did. They also had IIRC the ABS light on but didn’t clear that b/c would require other calibration I believe.

Then if no big box, or web, are u going to Stealorship for plugs
?

Reactions: 1

Nail Grease

· #2,428 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
Me too! Then if no big box, or web, are u going to Stealorship?

I certainly don’t like the price of the big box store, but the biggest problem is asking the clerk what spark plugs do I need for a Honda Pilot? No telling what you might walk out with, and hopefully not Autolite. 🤨👎
Yes, I shop online but never fleabaey.

Reactions: 3

ConrodM

· #2,429 · 3 mo ago

Uuuuuuuhhhhhh…. Ooohhhhh…. Comments Welcomed! 🤣🤷‍♂️
Btw, the AT-205 hasn’t caused any issues after it fixed my leaking Power Steering Pump.

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plplplpl

· #2,430 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

I've always liked the Project Farm guy, and now I like him even more.

AT-205 FTW IMHO.

More Information for ATP AT205

Thanks for the FYI, @ConrodM

PS: The PF guy should be awarded a trophy as an auctioneer master speaker/editor. Much appreciated that he didn't diddle and dawdle, but distilled all the useful information.

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Nail Grease

· #2,431 · 3 mo ago

So my question would be…
Is it fair that he mixed a ratio of 50/50 when the lubricity test was done? You would never have that much concentration of the stop leak product in your engine oil. My opinion is that this part of the testing is flawed.
Might would consider pre-mixing the products that did separate? Obviously AT-205 has little viscosity among the other products that separated.

Reactions: 1

ConrodM

· #2,432 · 3 mo ago

Nail Grease said:
So my question would be…
Is it fair that he mixed a ratio of 50/50 when the lubricity test was done? You would never have that much concentration of the stop leak product in your engine oil. My opinion is that this part of the testing is flawed.
Might would consider pre-mixing the products that did separate? Obviously AT-205 has little viscosity among the other products that separated.

Agree 100%

mschflbn

· #2,433 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

Last night after a trip to KC, I swapped out the serpentine belt. I saw a small crack and threw in a Continental soon as we got home. I had hoped it would solve the odd noise I've had coming from over there. I'm attaching a video. Right around 18 seconds it is more prominent. I need to probably get a mechanics stethoscope like @plplplpl suggested. My screwdriver isn't getting down there far enough to check everything!

plplplpl

· #2,434 · 3 mo ago (Edited)

It won't break the bank. I'd rather have mine than the Starbucks pumpkin spice lattemacchiatomochacchino I gave up for it.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002212597341.html?spm=a2g0o.order_detail.0.0.774bf19cCdtZ62

www.harborfreight.com

Mechanics Stethoscope

Amazing deals on this Mechanics Stethoscope at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

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ConrodM

· #2,435 · 3 mo ago

Looking for headlight replacement bulbs. At Walmart 🤣

plplplpl

· #2,436 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
Looking for headlight replacement bulbs. At Walmart 🤣

For the benefit of anyone else tackling this project, be sure to fully document your process, pictures and all.

Reactions: 1

aggrex

· #2,437 · 3 mo ago

plplplpl said:
For the benefit of anyone else tackling this project, be sure to fully document your process, pictures and all.

The shopping experience or the bulb selection??

Musical instrument Hat Idiophone Crowd Event

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aggrex

· #2,438 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
Looking for headlight replacement bulbs. At Walmart 🤣

@plplplpl would concur that Fahren has performed well as headlight replacement bulbs.

Reactions: 2

ConrodM

· #2,439 · 3 mo ago

Well…. I took what they had. There was a good write up on the forum with pictures. I’ll see if I can find it and post the link

andywatson

· #2,440 · 3 mo ago

ConrodM said:
Well…. I took what they had. There was a good write up on the forum with pictures. I’ll see if I can find it and post the link

Did you just take them, or did you pay for them?

Reactions: 5

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