Honda V6 VCM, again.

[JeffKeryk]

All this talk here over the VCM issues and the need for muzzlers. I have a 2008 VCMII with 126 k miles. Never had ANY issues with this car. Just routine maintenance and wear items replacement. Not a single repair. I keep it bc its so reliable and does not collect info on me. Looks great, super smooth and pulls strong. I service the PCV valve religiously and do 4-5k oci with Mobil 5-30 oil. Gets 28-30 mpg on the interstate. What more could one ask for?

Pull plug #3. I hope it's looking normal... Good luck!

 

[willbur]

thanks- it is

 

[willbur]

Pull plug #3. I hope it's looking normal... Good luck!

Its easy to pull the #3 plug- but why? I monitor my engine closely esp misfire counts.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Its easy to pull the #3 plug- but why? I monitor my engine closely esp misfire counts.

To read and compare plugs.

 

[willbur]

To read and compare plugs.

I ment to say "why #3 plug?"

 

[JeffKeryk]

I ment to say "why #3 plug?"

The back bank, cylinders 1, 2 and 3, are shut down by VCM. My understanding is, #3 can be the most affected. The Oddy I just worked on threw a P0303. But the back 3 were all fouled.

Good luck!

 

[willbur]

The back bank, cylinders 1, 2 and 3, are shut down by VCM. My understanding is, #3 can be the most affected. The Oddy I just worked on threw a P0303. But the back 3 were all fouled.

Good luck!

thanks Jeff- I pulled the correct #3 plug and #5 as comparison. The 3 plug had dry black deposits on tips and porcelain and not on the threads, while 5 was white. Both with sharp electrodes. The 3 plug was really loose- these engines have a rep for plug loosening. I believe those deposits are due to the loose plug(?not cleaning them off. No misfires. The first 70k miles all plugs were identical. These went in at 70k and the 3 plug has these deposits after 56k. But, I will order the VCM Tuner II just to be safe (if I can get one)

 

[JeffKeryk]

thanks Jeff- I pulled the correct #3 plug and #5 as comparison. The 3 plug had dry black deposits on tips and porcelain and not on the threads, while 5 was white. Both with sharp electrodes. The 3 plug was really loose- these engines have a rep for plug loosening. I believe those deposits are due to the loose plug(?not cleaning them off. No misfires. The first 70k miles all plugs were identical. These went in at 70k and the 3 plug has these deposits after 56k. But, I will order the VCM Tuner II just to be safe (if I can get one)

Smart move, IMO. Good luck.

 

[Indydriver]

The VCM problems are all related to cylinder deactivation. So, if you have an older engine without CD, you will not have the issue being discussed here.

 

[HowAboutThis]

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!

This tracks. Because I'm feeling like every part that wiggles or moves on our Subaru will need replacement by 150k miles. Things I've never replaced in my life on cars I've driven since I started driving almost 30 years ago.