What engine is in the 2004 Acura TL?
The 2004 Acura TL is powered by a 3.2-liter V6 from Honda’s J-series family, delivering about 270 horsepower and roughly 238 lb-ft of torque.
Engine architecture and performance
The TL’s powerplant sits at the heart of the car, designed to deliver smooth, refined power suitable for a luxury-sport sedan. It relies on a multi-point fuel-injection system to optimize efficiency and response, paired with the model’s standard automatic transmission for everyday usability.
Context within Honda's V6 family
As part of the J-series lineup, the 3.2-liter V6 in the 2004 TL shares its lineage with other Acura and Honda performance engines, balancing strong mid-range torque with high-end power to support confident highway cruising and responsive city driving.
Core specifications:
- Displacement: 3.2 liters (approximately 3,232 cc)
- Configuration: V6
- Power: 270 hp at around 6,200 rpm
- Torque: 238 lb-ft at around 4,800 rpm
- Fuel system: Multi-point fuel injection
These figures illustrate a robust baseline for acceleration and highway performance typical of early-2000s luxury sedans.
Transmission and driving experience
In 2004, the TL paired the 3.2-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering smooth shifts and solid mid-range response. There was no factory manual option for this year, reinforcing the model's emphasis on ease of use and comfort in daily driving.
Drivetrain details:
- 5-speed automatic transmission
- Front-wheel-drive layout
- Adaptive shift logic for smoother performance
The combination provided a refined, confident ride characteristic of the TL, with ample torque for highway merging and overtaking while maintaining a relaxed daily drive.
Summary
The 2004 Acura TL relies on a 3.2-liter V6 from Honda's J-series, delivering about 270 horsepower and 238 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This engine/transmission pairing underpins the TL’s reputation for smooth power delivery and comfortable, confident performance in everyday driving.
What are common problems with the 2004 Acura TL?
The bads: Dash cracks, HFL units are trash, spark plugs will back out over time (need to check them every 50-60k), auto windows up gets messed up, door handle caps fall off, door lock actuators go out, rear shelf rattle, side mirror rattles, front door panel rattles.
Is the Acura 2.4 engine reliable?
The Acura 2.4L engine, based on the Honda K24 series, is considered highly reliable, with many owners reporting high mileage with minimal issues, say Reddit and Facebook users. Potential issues include timing chain tensioner problems, oil consumption (more so in later K24Z versions), and, less commonly, cracked engine blocks in early K24A versions. Another point to consider is that some models with this engine, like the TLX, are paired with a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) which may require specific maintenance or updates, notes YouTube.
Reliability and common issues
- High reliability: The K24 engine is known for being "bulletproof" and is frequently praised for its durability. Many owners report reaching high mileage with no major engine problems.
- Maintenance is key: As with any engine, regular maintenance is crucial to achieve its long lifespan. Owners mention that proper care is essential to get the most out of the engine.
- Potential issues:
- Timing chain tensioner: Some K24 engines have documented issues with the timing chain tensioner.
- Oil consumption: Oil consumption can be a problem, especially in some of the later K24Z versions.
- Cracked blocks: Early K24A engine blocks have been known to crack, though this is less common.
- Model-specific considerations:
- Acura TLX: The 2.4L engine in the TLX is paired with a dual-clutch transmission. While the engine itself is reliable, the transmission may require maintenance. Some owners suggest issues can be mitigated by ensuring the car is properly warmed up or by getting software updates, say YouTube and Facebook users.
- Acura TSX: While the engine is reliable, some early TSX models (2004-2006, 2009) may have had issues with the engine, transmission, and brakes, recommend CarParts.com.
- Long-term ownership: The overall reliability is strong, with many owners keeping their cars well over 100,000 miles without major issues, according to Yahoo! Autos.
This video explains some of the issues found in the 2.4L engine and transmission of the Acura TLX: 55sDiscerning CarsYouTube · Jan 23, 2024
Does the 2004 Acura TSX have a K24?
The 2004 model year TSX's powertrain consisted of a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder K24A2 engine which produced 200 horsepower, a six-speed manual transmission (which featured a magnesium casing, to reduce weight), and a front wheel drive layout.
What kind of engine does a 2004 Acura TL have?
Third generation (UA6/7; 2004)
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.2 L J32A3 V6 3.5 L J35A8 V6 (Type-S) |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 107.9 in (2,741 mm) |
