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

164056 Views 2525 Replies 98 Participants Last post by kellym, 3 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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beato1

· #81 · Jul 28, 2020

OhthreeHondaCoPilot said:
Post #14 here:

Power steering fluid

I will be changing fluids on my 05 pilot (25k miles very soon, hopefully this weekend. This include oil, brake, and transmission and power steering fluids. I know some of these are too early to do, but I would rather do it too early than late. I have never replaced/flushed power steering...

www.piloteers.org

OhthreeHondaCoPilot said:
Post #14 here:

Power steering fluid

I will be changing fluids on my 05 pilot (25k miles very soon, hopefully this weekend. This include oil, brake, and transmission and power steering fluids. I know some of these are too early to do, but I would rather do it too early than late. I have never replaced/flushed power steering...

www.piloteers.org

I have always used turkey baster. Drain as much fluid as you're able to and refill. That should be enough to replenish the fluid. if you drain and refill several times (drive it first and work the steering side to side), you will replace most of it. I only do it once and found it is good enough. I do this to all my cars every five years.

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Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · #82 · Jul 28, 2020

beato1 said:
I have always used turkey baster. Drain as much fluid as you're able to and refill. That should be enough to replenish the fluid. if you drain and refill several times (drive it first and work the steering side to side), you will replace most of it. I only do it once and found it is good enough. I do this to all my cars every five years.

Awesome! That totally works too but, I'd recommend every 2yrs or just drain and fill the res. once a year after you've done the drain and fill several times method. This would pretty much be the simplest no mess, and least fuss method.

My post on what I did makes it sound like it's a very long and involved process but, really only takes about 15min. every two years and makes sure there is no (or absolutely minimal) old PSF leftover in the system. Only thing you need extra is some 3/8 hose, a 3/8 hose adapter/connector, and a pair of pliers for the hose clamp.

It is simply:
-jack the front tires off the ground
-pump/turkey baster the fluid out of the res.
-disconnect the return line which, is the smaller hose going into the res. (put a rag underneath to catch any leaked fluid as there will be some that you just can't get out of the res with the pump)
-plug the return line connection on the res. (saran wrap and rubber band)
-connect about 4ft.of 3/8 hose to return line with 3/8 hose connector and run to a bucket to collect old fluid.
-top off the res. with new fluid
-turn ignition key on so you disengage the steering wheel lock
-turn wheel full to the right then left and back to center
-top off res. again with new fluid
-repeat until new fluid comes out the return line.
-stop turning the steering wheel once the fluid level in the res. is between the min. max. marks
-reconnect your return line to res.
-add fluid if needed to be between the min. max marks
-done
-repeat every 2 years

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Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · #83 · Jul 28, 2020

OhthreeHondaCoPilot said:
Awesome! That totally works too but, I'd recommend every 2yrs or just drain and fill the res. once a year after you've done the drain and fill several times method. This would pretty much be the simplest no mess, and least fuss method.

My post on what I did makes it sound like it's a very long and involved process but, really only takes about 15min. every two years and makes sure there is no (or absolutely minimal) old PSF leftover in the system. Only thing you need extra is some 3/8 hose, a 3/8 hose adapter/connector, and a pair of pliers for the hose clamp.

It is simply:
-jack the front tires off the ground
-pump/turkey baster the fluid out of the res.
-disconnect the return line which, is the smaller hose going into the res. (put a rag underneath to catch any leaked fluid as there will be some that you just can't get out of the res with the pump)
-plug the return line connection on the res. (saran wrap and rubber band)
-connect about 4ft.of 3/8 hose to return line with 3/8 hose connector and run to a bucket to collect old fluid.
-top off the res. with new fluid
-turn ignition key on so you disengage the steering wheel lock
-turn wheel full to the right then left and back to center
-top off res. again with new fluid
-repeat until new fluid comes out the return line.
-stop turning the steering wheel once the fluid level in the res. is between the min. max. marks
-reconnect your return line to res.
-add fluid if needed to be between the min. max marks
-done
-repeat every 2 years

The pilot is the 4th car I have used this method on and should work for your other cars too

.

plplplpl

· #84 · Jul 29, 2020 (Edited)

About to do this again soon. 3x PS fluid drain & fill, driving it some miles between each and "workin' it."

No longer use an actual turkey baster. It's actually easier and less messy with a little hand pump.

FLUID HAND TRANSFER PUMP FOR QUART BOTTLES Gas Motor Oil Transmission Extractor 39593175468 | eBay

www.ebay.com

Lumax LX-1340 Quart Bottle Fluid Pump 27719051451 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Lumax LX-1340 Quart Bottle Fluid Pump at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

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Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · #85 · Jul 29, 2020

plplplpl said:
About to do this again soon. 3x PS fluid drain & fill, driving it some miles between each and "workin' it."

No longer use an actual turkey baster. It's actually easier and less messy with a little hand pump.

FLUID HAND TRANSFER PUMP FOR QUART BOTTLES Gas Motor Oil Transmission Extractor 39593175468 | eBay

Lumax LX-1340 Quart Bottle Fluid Pump 27719051451 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Lumax LX-1340 Quart Bottle Fluid Pump at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

The Lumax is exactly the pump I have.

aggrex

· #86 · Jul 29, 2020

plplplpl said:
About to do this again soon. 3x PS fluid drain & fill, driving it some miles between each and "workin' it."

No longer use an actual turkey baster. It's actually easier and less messy with a little hand pump

Same pump is under $10 at Harbor Freight

Line Technology Cable Electronic device Font

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Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · #87 · Jul 29, 2020

This is the new reservoir($30) I bought because I was too lazy to clean the old reservoir. The reservoir has a filtering screen in it to catch deteriorating hose junk and figured it wouldn't be so easy to clean and take more time to clean than just replace with a new reservoir with a new clean screen. I plan on replacing the reservoir every 5yrs

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

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Tahoefever

· #88 · Jul 29, 2020

Valve Adjustments and a little cleanup in the engine bay .. not bad for 256k

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Sha93

· #89 · Jul 29, 2020

Tahoefever said:
...a little cleanup in the engine bay .. not bad for 256k

View attachment 138506 View attachment 138507

Steam cleaned ?

Oh3CoPilot

Discussion Starter · #90 · Jul 30, 2020

Sha93 said:
Steam cleaned ?

aggrex

· #91 · Jul 30, 2020 (Edited)

Sha93 said:
Got rid of the donut (spare) .... took a chisel and a torch to remove the rusted spare-tire-hoist.

After I extricate my never lowered or used 16 yr old spare tire I should probably test the unused jack. The attached picture from @WannaLearn doesn’t inspire much confidence when lifting a Pilot with the OEM scissor jack. In addition the jack will be useless with my LIFTED Pilot.

Tire Automotive tire Vehicle Wheel Car

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WannaLearn

· #92 · Jul 30, 2020

Haven’t Done No work to My Car Ever really. No Engine clean, No Tune Up, No Detailing, No Transmission fluid Change. But I Want to do ALL that Today. While I still got this momentum. It’ll be rough trying to do this once I become lazy again. Any Suggestions?

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WannaLearn

· #93 · Jul 30, 2020 (Edited)

Bought a new driver seat with glass all over it from the yard💯
Anyone Sees 👀 any issues??

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aggrex

· #94 · Jul 30, 2020

WannaLearn said:
Bought a new driver seat with glass all over it from the yard💯

Make sure the metal seat frame is not fractured as some members have discovered from normal use. The glass fragments could be indicative of a bad accident.

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WannaLearn

· #95 · Jul 30, 2020

I think🤷🏾 (Pic1)Don’t know if it’s for my model tho😬Pic (2) mine says 03/06, The other car in the yard said 07. ALSO SAD TO FIND OUT I HAVE AN 06 and not an 07😢

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Tahoefever

· #96 · Jul 30, 2020

Sha93 said:
Steam cleaned ?

Spray foam de greaser just spray and wipe ..found it at walmart..nice stuff ..

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andywatson

· #97 · Jul 31, 2020

I had a productive day with the Pilot. Changed the rear differential fluid, drained and refilled the front trans with Maxlife ATF (for the second time in a week), then drove an hour to a junkyard that has an 04 Pilot and got a full size wheel with decent tire for use as my new spare, then came home and did a third round of ATF drain and fill with Maxlife. My garage really stunk after dealing with all that differential fluid and ATF. Maxlife smells really nasty compared to DW-1.

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plplplpl

· #98 · Jul 31, 2020

andywatson said:
My garage really stunk after dealing with all that differential fluid and ATF. Maxlife smells really nasty compared to DW-1.

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?"

plplplpl

· #99 · Jul 31, 2020

To paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson in Snakes on a Plane, I fixed the

bolts on the

license plates.

Again. This time I had to use expandable dry wall mollies on the inside. I spent more time and more sweat on this than anyone should have to.

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ckeator

· #100 · Jul 31, 2020

plplplpl said:
Again. This time I had to use expandable dry wall mollies on the inside. I spent more time and more sweat on this than anyone should have to.

You couldn't just use a larger self-tapping machine screw? If you get desperate the Gorilla two-sided tape will take care of your problems - of course, you're likely to peel off some paint when you take the plate off, but it would've been much easier than those mollies from hell...

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