Today at Atelier Kaz - ex-Honda R&D, F1, Indy/CART engineer

This is the fitting that caused the delay this time.

There was no trace of someone touched it in the past so possibly from the factory but
there was extra material attached at the 3rd thread from the bottom of this photo.

When tried installing the new CL hose, the fitting will engage smoothly for the first few turns and then suddenly gets very heavy.

Almost like cross-threaded but only at 3rd thread???

So, I thought I damaged it when removing the fitting because it was really tight but checked the mating thread at the old CL hose and
that side was perfect with no issues. Interesting......


Anyway, can't leave it like this so thought about replacing it with the one on my NSX as a quick fix.

Unfortunately, this parts is discontinued in Europe and has to be ordered from Japan so that's not good option considering the requirement to move my NSX regularly.

Thought about creating replacement pipe and fitting using the aftermarket pipe/flare tools but with LEV model, the big extra size canister is sitting
right in front of this fitting that I was worried about not being able to copy the exact shape.

The fitting could get loosened if something touches the pipe and kept vibrating it for a long time.

So, decided to repair the thread using the non-standard die.




Until it's done, had to keep the area wide open for extra room as I had to take the pipe off the car so couldn't install majority of the coolant hoses in the eng bay.
















From time to time with the LEV models, I had to cut the old hose in order to remove the hose clamp because it was installed in not so ideal angle from the factory.....

















As mentioned earlier, you can see the build-up of corrosion at the internal wall of the coolant pipe in this photo.















Also, the rust at the usual place on this pipe.



















New thermostat installed.

















Carb cleaner to clean the intake manifold.

Due to the angle of the photo and lighting, it may look dark but it's actually now shiny silver metal surface.















New header tank with 303 protectant applied.
















Finally, the CL pipe fitting repaired and torqued to the spec.

















Now I can install the rest of the hoses and done.