2003 Acura MDX

[SirRobyn0]

Installed. Comes in and out in just a minute or so, of course if I ever have to bolt the seats back in that would take a little longer. Since it's just the two of us, that shouldn't be much of an issue and if we need to go somewhere with friends we still have the van.

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Perfect, lots of space for the dogs!
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Plenty of space between the seat and the floor shelf for our stuff on trips.

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And look at all the space under the shelf!

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And actually there is a third row of seats, I could take those out as well and there would be even MORE under the floor storage space! We'll see if I decided to do that or not. But I like what I've done so far!

 

[SirRobyn0]

30K plus later and a little more than a years time I'm still rockin' the MDX as my daily. I'm pretty happy with it for the most part and it's certainly an easy vehicle to drive and comfortable enough for one guy and big pup to be in and out of everyday. Haven't had any major issues, though I did have a situation where I was getting a bit of vibration at 60+ especially when stepping on the gas. Turned out that the left front drive axle was the cause so I replaced both of them. Other than that she's been trouble free.

 

[DoubleDingo]

It's nice to have good reliable used vehicles that are mostly trouble-free.

 

[SirRobyn0]

It's nice to have good reliable used vehicles that are mostly trouble-free.

It sure is. It's not ever going to be my favorite vehicle, but it's done very well for me for sure and I plan to keep it a while longer for sure.

 

[SirRobyn0]

Ok you smart people I need a some good ideas. I've already got two possible courses of action but would like to get some input. I have the MDX up on the hoist at the shop today. I've put a little more than 30K on it so far, so it's time to change all the fluids, trans, transfer case, diff, brake, p/s, coolant, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs ect. So I'm giving it the once over when I notice that there is a screw I'm imaging it to maybe be a 1" or longer wood screw screwed into the side of the polyurethane gas tank about an inch or so from the bottom. I doubt very highly that this was picked up by a tire and thrown into it. It's stuck in pretty far. I did not attempt to remove it since I fill the tank this morning on my way to the shop.

So first and foremost I'm going to contact my insurance co to see if this is covered. If so then that's great and I'll replace it for sure.

Obviously one solution is replacing the tank.

The other idea I thought of is to run one of those metal roofing screws into it with a gasket on it, and sand the surrounding area and cover it in JB weld. It could be a temp solution if I decide to try to pull the screw out when there is less gas in it and it turns out it is through the tank all the way.

The screw is dry and I have not been smelling gas, but when I grab hold of it, there's about 1/2 inch sticking out of the tank but when I grab it with my hand it seems to be in there pretty good.

I'm guessing maybe this was an interrupted attempt at gas theft. I really have no idea how they do it but running and screw in and then pulling it out would result in at least somewhat of a flow of fuel out of the tank and it would be very quiet.

So anyhow if someone has a thought they'd like to share that would be great. Here's a couple pics for ya.

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[Ricko1966]

Ok you smart people I need a some good ideas. I've already got two possible courses of action but would like to get some input. I have the MDX up on the hoist at the shop today. I've put a little more than 30K on it so far, so it's time to change all the fluids, trans, transfer case, diff, brake, p/s, coolant, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs ect. So I'm giving it the once over when I notice that there is a screw I'm imaging it to maybe be a 1" or longer wood screw screwed into the side of the polyurethane gas tank about an inch or so from the bottom. I doubt very highly that this was picked up by a tire and thrown into it. It's stuck in pretty far. I did not attempt to remove it since I fill the tank this morning on my way to the shop.

So first and foremost I'm going to contact my insurance co to see if this is covered. If so then that's great and I'll replace it for sure.

Obviously one solution is replacing the tank.

The other idea I thought of is to run one of those metal roofing screws into it with a gasket on it, and sand the surrounding area and cover it in JB weld. It could be a temp solution if I decide to try to pull the screw out when there is less gas in it and it turns out it is through the tank all the way.

The screw is dry and I have not been smelling gas, but when I grab hold of it, there's about 1/2 inch sticking out of the tank but when I grab it with my hand it seems to be in there pretty good.

I'm guessing maybe this was an interrupted attempt at gas theft. I really have no idea how they do it but running and screw in and then pulling it out would result in at least somewhat of a flow of fuel out of the tank and it would be very quiet.

So anyhow if someone has a thought they'd like to share that would be great. Here's a couple pics for ya.

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I've actually used a sheet metal screw with a rubber washer,indefinitely in the past. It lasted years until I forgot about it and the car was gone. It was on the bottom of the tank. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[SirRobyn0]

I've actually used a sheet metal screw with a rubber washer,indefinitely in the past. It lasted years until I forgot about it and the car was gone. It was on the bottom of the tank. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I actually have a similar scenario in the drivers tank of the square where the factory plastic cover cause a leak in the corner of the tank and it's been holding fine but of course that's a steel tank and this is a polytank on the MDX. I don't see why it wouldn't work fine either.

 

[Grit dog]

Ok you smart people I need a some good ideas. I've already got two possible courses of action but would like to get some input. I have the MDX up on the hoist at the shop today. I've put a little more than 30K on it so far, so it's time to change all the fluids, trans, transfer case, diff, brake, p/s, coolant, air filter, cabin filter, spark plugs ect. So I'm giving it the once over when I notice that there is a screw I'm imaging it to maybe be a 1" or longer wood screw screwed into the side of the polyurethane gas tank about an inch or so from the bottom. I doubt very highly that this was picked up by a tire and thrown into it. It's stuck in pretty far. I did not attempt to remove it since I fill the tank this morning on my way to the shop.

So first and foremost I'm going to contact my insurance co to see if this is covered. If so then that's great and I'll replace it for sure.

Obviously one solution is replacing the tank.

The other idea I thought of is to run one of those metal roofing screws into it with a gasket on it, and sand the surrounding area and cover it in JB weld. It could be a temp solution if I decide to try to pull the screw out when there is less gas in it and it turns out it is through the tank all the way.

The screw is dry and I have not been smelling gas, but when I grab hold of it, there's about 1/2 inch sticking out of the tank but when I grab it with my hand it seems to be in there pretty good.

I'm guessing maybe this was an interrupted attempt at gas theft. I really have no idea how they do it but running and screw in and then pulling it out would result in at least somewhat of a flow of fuel out of the tank and it would be very quiet.

So anyhow if someone has a thought they'd like to share that would be great. Here's a couple pics for ya.

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Holy sheet! lol. I betting that is and will be the most random unexplained automotive issue you or anyone else discovers for a while!
Before the pics I would have assumed it was screwed all the way in. And a quick patch from a rookie gas theft attempt. Because it would be about a 1:1million chance it got flung and stuck like a dart.

BUT even a rookie tweaker would seemingly drill a bigger hole than that. (Unless maybe they were so fckin high they only came equipped with an old 8 penny nail and a couple Mc Donald’s cups! And wasn’t smart enough to put the hole closer to the bottom of the tank.) Lol
If it wasn’t your dd it’s almost worth seeing how long that little miracle screw lasts! Hahahaha
But like Ricko said, I wouldn’t even think of dropping and replacing the tank. I’d run the tank down to E and replace it with something with a gasket behind it and some goopy on the threads and probably never worry about it again! Likely it’s been there since before you bought it 30k miles ago!

 

[Grit dog]

PS, Whata deal for that nice car! Even now in hindsight. Gotta love that about where we live.
There’s some nice snack wagons around here for sale.
Just picked up this beauty for my sister (in the rust belt) recently.
$2k, 130k miles, clean in and out. Not impeccably maintained but not abused at all. Looks like it was bought by a school teacher who voted for Obama, Hillary and Joe while owning the car! Lol.

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Her husband flew out, changed the oil, rotated the tires and bombed it back to Wisconsin at 80mph with the AC and cruise control on and the stereo blasting!