When I needed spark plugs for my 2010 I just went to the local AutoZone and grabbed some. About $15 each.
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I got a little sidetracked and had to run a few errands so I didn't get a chance to coat the headlights or vacuum and coat the interior, but this is the first time I've had Victus in the garage since mid-January, so I did make sure to give things a good look over, and I did get plenty done. I'm not sure if I'll be able to, but I'll try to fit those last things in sometime tomorrow, else it will have to wait.
First order of business was the cabin air filter, which I can do in my sleep now (it's a lot easier on this than my Odyssey where you have to pry out the stoppers). Here's the comparison:
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For reference, the old filter is an OEM Honda filter and was replaced in June 2017 at roughly 16k miles, so it had about 6 years and 13k on it. The new filter is this EPAuto filter I got off Amazon:
After that was taken care of, I moved on to the engine air filter. This was no simple task. I take back what I said when I first got this car about the space in the engine bay. There really isn't a ton of space at the airbox. The screws holding it together were far too tight for me to be able to get them loose with my 1/4in drive screwdriver and an 8mm, but there also wasn't enough space for my ratchet that would have made short work of it. So I resorted to using some channel lock pliers on the screwdriver handle to get enough leverage. That did the trick. The only other slight annoyance was that the placement of my VCMTuner II was right in the same area as one of the airbox screws, meanign I had to work around it. But that wasn't too terrible.
Here's that comparison:
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Neither CarFax nor Honda's MyGarage have any record of this filter having been replaced, so it very well could be the original filter. Even if that's the case, it really doesn't look all that bad. New filter is also an EPAuto filter:
Needless to say, it's definitely time for an oil change based on the dipstick:
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I don't think I've ever let my oil get that dark before, except after running some additives in my 2010. Happy to see that the level is still perfect, though. And while I was in the area, I checked on the front spool valve. Bone dry, so I'm still good there. I'm not going to let that ruin my day on the side of the highway. I plan to catch it the moment it starts.
Lastly, since I had the engine cover off to check on the spool valve, I decided to take the opportunity to properly degrease it and recoat it in 303. Looks quite excellent now, as does the rest of the engine bay:
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The intake manifold is getting a bit dirty at the rear edge of the plenum cover though, so I'll have to clean that up at some point.
First order of business was the cabin air filter, which I can do in my sleep now (it's a lot easier on this than my Odyssey where you have to pry out the stoppers). Here's the comparison:
For reference, the old filter is an OEM Honda filter and was replaced in June 2017 at roughly 16k miles, so it had about 6 years and 13k on it. The new filter is this EPAuto filter I got off Amazon:
Amazon.com: 2 Pack - EPAuto CP134 (CF10134) Premium Cabin Air Filter includes Activated Carbon : Automotive
Buy 2 Pack - EPAuto CP134 (CF10134) Premium Cabin Air Filter includes Activated Carbon: Passenger Compartment Air Filters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
After that was taken care of, I moved on to the engine air filter. This was no simple task. I take back what I said when I first got this car about the space in the engine bay. There really isn't a ton of space at the airbox. The screws holding it together were far too tight for me to be able to get them loose with my 1/4in drive screwdriver and an 8mm, but there also wasn't enough space for my ratchet that would have made short work of it. So I resorted to using some channel lock pliers on the screwdriver handle to get enough leverage. That did the trick. The only other slight annoyance was that the placement of my VCMTuner II was right in the same area as one of the airbox screws, meanign I had to work around it. But that wasn't too terrible.
Here's that comparison:
Neither CarFax nor Honda's MyGarage have any record of this filter having been replaced, so it very well could be the original filter. Even if that's the case, it really doesn't look all that bad. New filter is also an EPAuto filter:
Amazon.com: EPAuto GP468 (CA10468) Replacement for Honda / Acura Rigid Panel Air Filter for Accord V6(2008-2012), Accord Crosstour(2010-2011), Crosstour V6(2012-2015), TL(2009-2014), TSX V6(2010-2014) : Automotive
Buy EPAuto GP468 (CA10468) Replacement for Honda / Acura Rigid Panel Air Filter for Accord V6(2008-2012), Accord Crosstour(2010-2011), Crosstour V6(2012-2015), TL(2009-2014), TSX V6(2010-2014): Air Filters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Needless to say, it's definitely time for an oil change based on the dipstick:
I don't think I've ever let my oil get that dark before, except after running some additives in my 2010. Happy to see that the level is still perfect, though. And while I was in the area, I checked on the front spool valve. Bone dry, so I'm still good there. I'm not going to let that ruin my day on the side of the highway. I plan to catch it the moment it starts.
Lastly, since I had the engine cover off to check on the spool valve, I decided to take the opportunity to properly degrease it and recoat it in 303. Looks quite excellent now, as does the rest of the engine bay:
The intake manifold is getting a bit dirty at the rear edge of the plenum cover though, so I'll have to clean that up at some point.
That was supposed to be today, but apparently the tech at the shop is out all week, so it'll have to be next week.
I did at least talk to him and nail down what's on the docket. I can confirm that at long last, the timing belt will be replaced. Hope you all can rest easier now knowing that.
Outside of that, it's mostly the stuff you'd expect. Oil, ATF, brake fluid, coolant, and just a general inspection. Also a tire rotation/balance. I wonder if that'll fix the very slight highway vibration I've been feeling on occasion.
I vacuumed up that area of the plenum cover I was talking about before.
![Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Automotive design Personal luxury car]()
Looks much better now. However, while vacuuming it up, it didn't seem like just dirt like I thought before. Unfortunately, it looks more like droppings left by an animal. I don't see any other signs of animal intrusion, but it's something I'll have to keep an eye on. Can't say I've had that issue before.
And while I had the vacuum out, I cleaned up the carpet and seats. Crazy what just a bit of vacuuming can do.
![Car Vehicle Speedometer Motor vehicle Automotive design]()
![Car Vehicle Motor vehicle Car seat cover Window]()
![Car Motor vehicle Car seat cover Automotive design Vehicle]()
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All that's left is the headlights and interior coating, then it'll be time to send Victus back to the street.
Part of me feels like just cleaning off the headlights and not bothering with another coating of protectant. I don't really feel like taping up and covering the area around the lights again to spray it, I'd be content with just leaving it be and spending the $25 to get it cleared up when the time comes, but the other part of me knows I have that coating sitting around doing nothing and an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.
Looks much better now. However, while vacuuming it up, it didn't seem like just dirt like I thought before. Unfortunately, it looks more like droppings left by an animal. I don't see any other signs of animal intrusion, but it's something I'll have to keep an eye on. Can't say I've had that issue before.
And while I had the vacuum out, I cleaned up the carpet and seats. Crazy what just a bit of vacuuming can do.
All that's left is the headlights and interior coating, then it'll be time to send Victus back to the street.
Part of me feels like just cleaning off the headlights and not bothering with another coating of protectant. I don't really feel like taping up and covering the area around the lights again to spray it, I'd be content with just leaving it be and spending the $25 to get it cleared up when the time comes, but the other part of me knows I have that coating sitting around doing nothing and an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure.
So the headlights were the last thing I took care of today before I finally brought it back outside from the garage. Interior coating will have to be another time. I don't think it's too bad right now though, it should still be good enough to handle the sun of early summer.
I actually did go through the trouble of taping around the lights:
Honestly, taping up these headlights could probably be a full time job with their odd shape. It may look cool, but it's certainly not the easiest thing to tape, especially when you're trying to be precise like I was.
I was preparing to clean off the old coating with some IPA and then spray on a fresh coat. However, while I was cleaning it off, I noticed that the plastic was already beginning to show some signs of oxidation that you can't really see in the photos but you can see with an up close look.
Considering that the instructions on the coating say to apply it on a freshly restored headlight and these were going to be sitting outside with the bit of oxidation that's on them now, after seeing this, it didn't seem worth it to me, so I decided to forgo the respray and leave them bare for now. When the oxidation gets worse, I'll just pay the $25 to restore them and apply the coating immediately after.
So all that effort masking off the light ended up being for nothing. 😭
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