Honda's 3.5 Liter
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havne't heard anything about sludging, but just use a synthetic and forget about it!
I've never heard of the Honda 3.5-liter V6 engines to be sludgers. Our VUE has the J35A3 (GM called it the L66) and it seems pretty easy on oil, as supported by UOA. It's similar to what was used in the Pilot, but if you're talking about a new Pilot, that's a different beast of an engine, probably with VCM.
There's no sludge problems on the Honda J series. It's been around since the late 90's in every pretty much every Acura andHonda besides the NSX and RL which had the 90 degree V6.
It does require a timing belt at 105,000 miles which would be a consideration.
It does require a timing belt at 105,000 miles which would be a consideration.
The VCM V6's in the Pilot do have some issues.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2858992&page=1
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2675186
Seems like running bulk oil to the MM limit is a bad idea.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2858992&page=1
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2675186
Seems like running bulk oil to the MM limit is a bad idea.
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The standard 3.5 is moderately hard on the oil. Certainly don't go beyond the OLM with conventional oil. Push it a bit and get some fuel dilution and then do short trips, they will be dirty. The VCM is nasty on oil.
Use synthetic oil in this engine, IMHO. Especially if you do little hwy driving.
Use synthetic oil in this engine, IMHO. Especially if you do little hwy driving.
I had a 2004 Ody EX-L with a 3.5. No problems what so ever, I wish I could say the same about my 2004 TC. The 3.5 has been around since 1999, I believe. Not familiar with the impact of VCM on the oil, but if the newer Odys are like my Fit they inform you when the oil should be changed. I know that this is the case at least for the 2010 Ody. For my Fit that is usually around 7500 miles.
My wife drives a 2007 Odyssey with the 3.5l. I had been using Amsoil and during one oil change noticed the beginnings of sludge. A call to Amsoil's tech line and some internet research and I found the PCV valve was most likely the culprit. I changed out the PCV valve with an OEM part and went to Pennzoil Ultra and Kreen. The sludging stopped and things started to clean up. As I recall, the the common thought was that the PCV valve on these 3.5l Hondas needs to be changed every 25k to avoid sludging. So Pennzoil Ultra 5W20 in the summer and Eneos 0W20 in the winter and I have two new OEM PCV valves on hand. So far, so good.
Variable Cylinder Management is inherently a life cycle shortening "technology". Think about what it's doing: continuously cycling off half the cylinders every time the accelerator position reaches a "light" or "off" position. Most VCM problems are found in high highway mile engines, normally the least stressed condition. But with a VCM, running long distances with half the cylinders not firing results in differential cooling, oil leaking past the oil control rings, plug fouling and "mystery" oil consumption. There are many reports of Honda VCMs self-detructing at 70,000 miles or less. Now, many of these are Odysseys where apparently, owners can't be bothered with checking the oil level between OCs, but still....when I needed a van, I bought Toyota.
Honda introduced VCM on their V6 with the 2008 model year.
Honda introduced VCM on their V6 with the 2008 model year.
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Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Variable Cylinder Management is inherently a life cycle shortening "technology". Think about what it's doing: continuously cycling off half the cylinders every time the accelerator position reaches a "light" or "off" position.
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Variable Cylinder Management is inherently a life cycle shortening "technology". Think about what it's doing: continuously cycling off half the cylinders every time the accelerator position reaches a "light" or "off" position.
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Shoot bitog member Trav a PM he's pretty well versed on this engine, and its problems. He can fill you in.
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Honda introduced VCM on their V6 with the 2008 model year.
2006, but who's quibbling.
Honda introduced VCM on their V6 with the 2008 model year.
2006, but who's quibbling.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Yes, but in the Chrysler version don't they shut off two cylinders in each bank? The Honda version shuts off an entire bank, and from what I read here it's the same bank all the time.
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Yes, but in the Chrysler version don't they shut off two cylinders in each bank? The Honda version shuts off an entire bank, and from what I read here it's the same bank all the time.
Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Yes, but in the Chrysler version don't they shut off two cylinders in each bank? The Honda version shuts off an entire bank, and from what I read here it's the same bank all the time.
If I understand their design correctly that is truth, but I fail to see the real difference in the actual effect on an engine. I thought I read the Honda V6 can shut off 2 cylinders or 3.
But it's the same thing they all do, unhook the valve gear so the valves are shut and then disable spark and an injector. They are all doing the same thing. Remember Chrysler borrowed the tech from Mercedes.
So I want to know why Honda is having these issues.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Many different companies use virtually the same technology with no problems. Chrysler's MDS setup on their 5.7 liter and 6.4 liter engines works well and seems durable.
Yes, but in the Chrysler version don't they shut off two cylinders in each bank? The Honda version shuts off an entire bank, and from what I read here it's the same bank all the time.
If I understand their design correctly that is truth, but I fail to see the real difference in the actual effect on an engine. I thought I read the Honda V6 can shut off 2 cylinders or 3.
But it's the same thing they all do, unhook the valve gear so the valves are shut and then disable spark and an injector. They are all doing the same thing. Remember Chrysler borrowed the tech from Mercedes.
So I want to know why Honda is having these issues.
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