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

163592 Views 2525 Replies 98 Participants Last post by kellym, 20 h ago

Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2020 (Edited)

4

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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ConrodM

· #681 · Jun 1, 2021 (Edited)

Got my AC Clutch, Pulley, and Stator off- Picking up replacement Stator Locally tomorrow ( in mode to Getter Done) and ordered some EXTERNAL snap ring pliers. Hopefully I will be able to recommend a set that works well for the DIY.
UPDATE: Embarrassingly enough I managed to get assembly off with modified internal snap ring pliers- but got it back on in 1/4 the time with the straight External pliers as shown below :

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ConrodM

· #682 · Jun 1, 2021

Krayziefoo said:
Same here. I ordered this one off Amazon: Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit - G2980C [New Version] - Headlights stay clear for one year: Amazon.ca: Automotive
It came with a small 1000grit pad, so I bought some sheets of 3M 1000grit wet/dry because I knew I needed to put in some elbow grease on these headlights. I spent about 2 hours on them and they turned out nice. You can see the clear coat was peeling in spots which required a lot of sanding.

Before:
View attachment 149208 View attachment 149209

After:
View attachment 149210 View attachment 149211

Very Nicely Done!! On my 2Do List!!! 😂

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plplplpl

· #683 · Jun 2, 2021

Oh3CoPilot said:
Same here, took about 45min. my first time and get it done now in about 25min. Good thing is that it's a very large filter (as far as cabin air filters go) and if you run with the recirculate on you won't be pulling in outside air (like pollen etc.. this time of the year) thus keeping it cleaner for longer. I change mine every year (after the pollen season) and if you stick to running in recirculate mode you could probably go every two years.

But recirc, unless it's horribly hot out, is like rebreathing your exhales inside a COVID mask.

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ConrodM

· #684 · Jun 2, 2021

J995 said:
Today after work she's going into the shop for a 200k service:

-Timing belt replacement (Aisin)
-Water pump replacement (Aisin)
-Transfer case fluid replacement
-Rear diff fluid replacement
-Transmission fluid change
-P0420 conveniently just turned on yesterday, so maybe getting a new O2 sensor
-Suspension check (no clunks, but at this mileage I want it looked over carefully)
-Radiator check (doesn't leak but is still the original, can't decide whether or not to just replace it)

Am I missing anything? Trying to keep it for at least 3 more years. Valve adjustment, power steering fluid replacement, and brake fluid replacement were all done recently. Michelins are good until 250,000.

plplplpl said:
But recirc, unless it's horribly hot out, is like rebreathing your exhales inside a COVID mask.

Always running recirc in Florida- it’s Extremely Hot outside 🔥🤫

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ConrodM

· #685 · Jun 2, 2021

ConrodM said:
Very Nicely Done!! On my 2Do List!!! 😂

HEADLIGHT HAZE- I’ve tried the reheat method with a heat gun- waste of time for me

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CPTDaniel

· #686 · Jun 2, 2021

Final update on the hood latch issue: It was definitely sticking and needed some lube and action, which helped immensely.

However, what finally did the trick was lifting the assembly as high up as I could and then tightening it again...I had it low enough in its positional range that the latch wasn't able to grab the bar from the hood and lock down into place. So now it's all good and in working order.

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aggrex

· #687 · Jun 2, 2021

CPTDaniel said:
Final update on the hood latch issue: It was definitely sticking and needed some lube and action, which helped immensely.

However, what finally did the trick was lifting the assembly as high up as I could and then tightening it again...I had it low enough in its positional range that the latch wasn't able to grab the bar from the hood and lock down into place. So now it's all good and in working order.

Had a similar hood closure situation after unbolting the latch assembly to remove the two fans and radiator. Proper adjustment of the hood bump stops also helped since they were removed for rust remediation.

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CPTDaniel

· #688 · Jun 2, 2021

Are the bump stops even adjustable? I have one side of the hood that sits about .200" higher than it should, but I didn't think I could fix the height of the stops to help it out.

aggrex

· #689 · Jun 2, 2021

CPTDaniel said:
Are the bump stops even adjustable? I have one side of the hood that sits about .200" higher than it should, but I didn't think I could fix the height of the stops to help it out.

On my 2004 the hood bump stops twist in or out. Initially I set them too low and had to adjust upwards for proper closure and fitment after adjusting the latch assembly up or down.

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mschflbn

· #690 · Jun 3, 2021

New inner and out tie rods done today. For the life of me I couldn't get much budge out of the new lock washer on the inner tie rod, even with my giant plumbers pliars. I have an alignment scheduled for tomorrow so I'm going to ask them if they'll slip the boot off and stake it for me. Hopefully they don't charge a ton for it. 🤷‍♂️

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road2cycle

· #691 · Jun 3, 2021

aggrex said:
Had a similar hood closure situation after unbolting the latch assembly to remove the two fans and radiator. Proper adjustment of the hood bump stops also helped since they were removed for rust remediation.

I ran into a similar problem a few years back when replacing the radiator. When I dropped the hood it would bounce up sometimes instead of catching and remaining latched. I had Sharpie marked the outline of the latch before removal, but I think I put it in a couple millimeters too low initially. A minor latch height adjustment resolved the issue.

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mschflbn

· #692 · Jun 4, 2021

Washed the ol guy today, got an alignment (and the got my locking washers bent over my inner tie rods for 100 bucks - worth it for my sanity) and put on a turtle bumper sticker. Because his name is Sherman. And he's a turtle because he's old and slow 😂.

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aggrex

· #693 · Jun 4, 2021

mschflbn said:
Because his name is Sherman. And he's a turtle because he's old and slow 😂.

Interesting...can relate with the turtle sticker for AWD. If you do any soft off-roading going slow is key as well as having some armor

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ConrodM

· #694 · Jun 4, 2021 (Edited)

2

Picked up 1- Can of 134A refrigerant with dye & 1 with out. NO LEAK STOP as I have mistakenly done in the past. From what I have read it will mess up more than what may already be a simple issue to fix? Eagerly waiting for new gauges to arrive from Amazon. Presently after going thru all 3- Loaner gauges from autozone yesterday I got a static reading of 25 psi both sides which is Low for our temps in Florida. Keeping fingers crossed that adding 134-a will give me Cold air!!!

UPDATE:
GOT AC in Florida HEAT!!! 😁👍👍

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ConrodM

· #695 · Jun 5, 2021

Got refrigerant from Advanced Auto. Autozone only had with stop leak

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road2cycle

· #696 · Jun 5, 2021

Good luck getting the A/C system recharged.

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ConrodM

· #697 · Jun 6, 2021

road2cycle said:
Good luck getting the A/C system recharged.

Got it done & had 37 degrees middle vent at one time😁👍 Took the wife for ice cream- All Good, Stopped at Grocery so she could run in for couple items (I stayed in Pilot enjoying Cool AC & feeling real proud lol) headed home and about a mile from house -NO AC!!! Then as we pulled in- it kicked back on briefly. Put gauges on & added a little more 134-a. Further diagnosis tomorrow or Monday 👍. I did notice while compressor was off the only fan running was condenser- even if I closed hood and ran 2k rpm for a couple minutes. Ambient temp near Pilot while idling was around 95. Low pressure was 45-47 psi & High side was 250psi. I’m thinking Both Fans should be running but temp gauge stayed in normal spot.

road2cycle

· #698 · Jun 6, 2021

ConrodM said:
Got it done & had 37 degrees middle vent at one time😁👍 Took the wife for ice cream- All Good, Stopped at Grocery so she could run in for couple items (I stayed in Pilot enjoying Cool AC & feeling real proud lol) headed home and about a mile from house -NO AC!!! Then as we pulled in- it kicked back on briefly. Put gauges on & added a little more 134-a. Further diagnosis tomorrow or Monday 👍. I did notice while compressor was off the only fan running was condenser- even if I closed hood and ran 2k rpm for a couple minutes. Ambient temp near Pilot while idling was around 95. Low pressure was 45-47 psi & High side was 250psi. I’m thinking Both Fans should be running but temp gauge stayed in normal spot.

Good luck getting it figured out. I haven’t played around with A/C so the only thing I can offer is moral support. Keep us posted.

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ConrodM

· #699 · Jun 6, 2021 (Edited)

road2cycle said:
Good luck getting it figured out. I haven’t played around with A/C so the only thing I can offer is moral support. Keep us posted.

It’s not going to beat me!! May take me awhile but I’ll get it 😉. Too close now 👍.
Of course....Anyone Feel Free to Jump in 😁👍👍

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ConrodM

· #700 · Jun 7, 2021

Yep......I have been driving around with only the Condenser Fan saving my motor for who knows how long??? Sheesh!!! Anybody replaced the Radiator (Main) Fan? I’m thinking this could explain why at times the Compressor kicks out ?

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