Engine vibration

[Trav]

Originally Posted by nZone
My car has started to vibrate when in (P)arking, (R)everse, and (N)eutral mode. While stationary, I switched gear between P,N,or R, the car would vibrate. Sometimes when switched to R from P, I would get a clunk noise. If I switched gear to (D)rive or (2) or (1), the vibration stops. Motor mount or transmission?

If its an 06 Odyssey with VCM it probably the rear mount. It is very easy to check visually from the drivers side wheel well (wheel turned all the way to the right) with a good strong flashlight. If the mount is bad it will be settling on the metal of the engine as shown here..

If its good there will be a gap..

These are a very common failure point. Never ever use a cheap aftermarket mount on these, it is guaranteed to fail in as little as 100miles. The OE mount as of the last one I bought was $470 from the dealer with %, online dealers are close to that.
The 05 and up transmissions were much better than the older ones.

 

[nZone]

Trav, that is good info. I will inspect it. The online price for rear is $650 ($932), front $740 ($1054).

 

[nZone]

Originally Posted by GZRider
Good call, but skip the dealer they will automatically inflate the repair costs and try to get you to trade it for cheap, it's just the business. Take it to an independent place that does a lot of Honda/Acura stuff. Preferably one with good word of mouth recommendations from people who drive 7+ year old cars that are in decent to nice condition.


There is a Honda/Acura specialist near by (6 miles), but the shop hour is not convenient. I would have to time off.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by nZone
Trav, that is good info. I will inspect it. The online price for rear is $650 ($932), front $740 ($1054).

Holy cow I just looked it up, the price has gone through the roof, I am happy I don't do these things anymore. The front on is usually okay just the rear takes the bad beating.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted by Trav
Originally Posted by nZone
Trav, that is good info. I will inspect it. The online price for rear is $650 ($932), front $740 ($1054).

Holy cow I just looked it up, the price has gone through the roof, I am happy I don't do these things anymore. The front on is usually okay just the rear takes the bad beating.

Honda has a nasty habit of bumping up part pricing as a vehicle gets older. My conspiracy theory is that this is their way of planned obsolescence.

Toyota does not appear to do the same thing.

 

[Trav]

That sounds reasonable but 40% increase at retail in a couple of years is way over the top. Talk about price gauging.

 

[perfect_oil]

Originally Posted by nZone
Sometimes when switched to R from P, I would get a clunk noise.


That's the dead giveaway right there. Motor mount(s).

 

[nZone]

Talk about pricy Honda parts. My Acura MDX shocks, just parts alone, cost about $3500. That's another story.

So I went to a independent Honda/Acura specialist. It is confirmed bad engine mounts: Front/Rear/Side.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by nZone
Talk about pricy Honda parts. My Acura MDX shocks, just parts alone, cost about $3500. That's another story.

So I went to a independent Honda/Acura specialist. It is confirmed bad engine mounts: Front/Rear/Side.


That's rare unless the VCM has been acting up, that well over 1200 bucks in parts alone from what I see for prices. Add labor and it makes you wonder if its worth it.

 

[nZone]

Originally Posted by Trav
Originally Posted by nZone
Talk about pricy Honda parts. My Acura MDX shocks, just parts alone, cost about $3500. That's another story.

So I went to a independent Honda/Acura specialist. It is confirmed bad engine mounts: Front/Rear/Side.


That's rare unless the VCM has been acting up, that well over 1200 bucks in parts alone from what I see for prices. Add labor and it makes you wonder if its worth it.


Assuming labor charge is $500 and plus tax it is looking like close to $2000. I'm still waiting for the call on what total cost will be. I think I can swallow $2000 now...I hope it can last another 5 years then I am good.

Although most owners have issues with VCM such as oil consumption, foul spark plugs, lost power between VCM on/off, and etc. My van has none of those symptoms until I started noticing a year ago when putting the car in (R)everse, I heard a clunk noise or sometimes the van feel like floating when pulled into parking. Perhaps those mounts got worsen when one started to fail.

 

[Trav]

Yes when one mount has failed it put additional strain on the others.