Honda V6 VCM, again.

JeffKeryk

JeffKeryk

Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
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Location
Los Gatos, CA
Yesterday my neighbor's daughter was over to her folks for a BBQ with her 2 children and texted me about her 2016 Odyssey EX-L, 127K, running rough on the freeway.
Threw a P0303 trouble code. This morning I started to pull #3 plug, but could not get the coil to budge. I was afraid to use a pry bar, as this is not my car. It was stuck! I beat myself up pretty good, but could not get it to budge. Took it over to a local shop, Scotty's Automotive. Here's #3 plug:
1780357492400.webp

I am not sure if the plugs have ever been done. But it looked like the coils were replaced! Anyways, I asked them to replace all 6; it was $457 all in. And yes, the 1-2-3 bank were all fouled.

I will likely order the VCMTuner II tomorrow morning. I love Hondas, but IMO this is a huge black eye.
 
dishdude said:
SUBARU?!?!??!!!??

I'd trust a Nissan or Mazda before a Subaru.
Click to expand...

Less than 5 years old, they are right up there with Toyota. Ranking is Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, Honda, BMW, Nissan.

5 to 10 years old, the top ranking shifts back to the familiar Japanese automakers. Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Acura, BMW, in that order. Subaru drops to #12!
 
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JeffKeryk said:
Yesterday my neighbor's daughter was over to her folks for a BBQ with her 2 children and texted me about her 2016 Odyssey EX-L, 127K, running rough on the freeway.
Threw a P0303 trouble code. This morning I started to pull #3 plug, but could not get the coil to budge. I was afraid to use a pry bar, as this is not my car. It was stuck! I beat myself up pretty good, but could not get it to budge. Took it over to a local shop, Scotty's Automotive. Here's #3 plug:
View attachment 340641
I am not sure if the plugs have ever been done. But it looked like the coils were replaced! Anyways, I asked them to replace all 6; it was $457 all in. And yes, the 1-2-3 bank were all fouled.

I will likely order the VCMTuner II tomorrow morning. I love Hondas, but IMO this is a huge black eye.
Click to expand...

Given I have a nearly identical VCM 3 engine and how clean mine were at 101K, I'd have to ask a bunch more questions.
 
randomhero439 said:
Less than 5 years old, they are right up there with Toyota. Ranking is Toyota, Subaru, Lexus, Honda, BMW, Nissan.

5 to 10 years old, the top ranking shifts back to the familiar Japanese automakers. Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Acura, BMW, in that order. Subaru drops to #12!
Click to expand...
Isn't it amazing how all the companies that Toyota is either a part-owner or a partner with are making incredibly reliable cars?

Mazda ... Subaru ... and even now BMW (OK maybe that is an overstatement, but they at least show vast improvement)
 
UncleDave said:
Given I have a nearly identical VCM 3 engine and how clean mine were at 101K, I'd have to ask a bunch more questions.
Click to expand...
My niece's 2015 Oddy EX-L followed a similar pattern. I replaced the plugs and muzzled it at 135K; it was stumbling at freeway speeds, and you know the traffice between here and Monterrey... 212K now and zero additional issues. TBT, I do not remember if it threw a code. But I would have remembered if the plugs looked anything like this.

If I were you, I would install the VCM Tuner II. It tricks the ECU to thinking the coolant temp has not reached the proper threshold.
 
Last edited:
My son's 2016 Odyssey bought new popped that same code. DIL said the van was running rough and stumbling. It was burning oil so I replaced #3 plug, filled it up with oil and added a muzzler. The Honda soldiered on another four years until they replaced it two months ago with a Toyota Sequoia. My intervention saved that vehicle and gave it another 45K miles. I'm sure it will run for the next owner another 100K.
 
JeffKeryk said:
My niece's 2015 Oddy EX-L followed a similar pattern. I replaced the plugs and muzzled it at 135K; it was stumbling at freeway speeds, and you know the traffice between here and Monterrey... 212K now and zero additional issues. TBT, I do not remember if it threw a code. But I would have remembered if the plugs looked anything like this.

If I were you, I would install the VCM Tuner II. It tricks the ECU to thinking the coolant temp has not reached the proper threshold.
Click to expand...

I know about VCM tuners.
I do not believe that SN oil is enough to keep carbon from forming in the ring lands if you dont muzzle the VCM.
That said, I starting running HPL at 50K and found carbon liberation that shouldn't have existed.

It's been smooth sailing so far for me.

This van is approx 27K over the limit for the plugs, Im curious if the valves, and belt have been done given this went so far.
 
SC Maintenance said:
2016 was VCM2 IIRC - 3, 4 and 6 cylinder activation. I thought that was better than VCM 3. Maybe I have it backwards?

If they are original plugs at 127K, then honestly its hard to fault the engine. Plugs are a wear item.
Click to expand...

I thought 2016 was VCM 3 - maybe not.
 
JeffKeryk said:
My niece's 2015 Oddy EX-L followed a similar pattern. I replaced the plugs and muzzled it at 135K; it was stumbling at freeway speeds, and you know the traffice between here and Monterrey... 212K now and zero additional issues. TBT, I do not remember if it threw a code. But I would have remembered if the plugs looked anything like this.

If I were you, I would install the VCM Tuner II. It tricks the ECU to thinking the coolant temp has not reached the proper threshold.
Click to expand...
If the vehicle thinks the coolant temp is cold long enough wouldn't that throw a cel?
 
UncleDave said:
I know about VCM tuners.
I do not believe that SN oil is enough to keep carbon from forming in the ring lands if you dont muzzle the VCM.
That said, I starting running HPL at 50K and found carbon liberation that shouldn't have existed.

It's been smooth sailing so far for me.

This van is approx 27K over the limit for the plugs, Im curious if the valves, and belt have been done given this went so far.
Click to expand...
I THINK the plugs were replaced at some time. The front 3 looked fine. What I didn't understand was the new coils.
Anyways, I have ordered the muzzler.

I have to wonder why Honda hasn't properly addressed the VCM issue. Or maybe I'm missing something?
 
JeffKeryk said:
I have to wonder why Honda hasn't properly addressed the VCM issue. Or maybe I'm missing something?
Click to expand...
The same reason they never addressed the 1.5T dillution, or 2.4 VCT rattle. Cheaper to fix a few in warranty and pay some class actions (they settled 2 different ones on VCM IIRC).

In for a penny in for a pound I guess.

Honestly when I posted this thread most didn't have issues. I was surprised but believe them, and wouldn't hesitate to buy one, although I would muzzle it. https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/school-me-on-the-realities-of-honda-vcm.401164/
 
dishdude said:
SUBARU?!?!??!!!??

I'd trust a Nissan or Mazda before a Subaru.
Click to expand...
Same. If you think Nissan's are high maintenance, hold your beer.

UncleDave said:
Given I have a nearly identical VCM 3 engine and how clean mine were at 101K, I'd have to ask a bunch more questions.
Click to expand...
I think the Odyssey didn't get VCM3 until the next generation.
 
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