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Did you muzzle the VCM? What other things are you doing to keep it running good?
I've got a 2009 EX-L with about the same mileage
That vintage of Honda Odyssey did not have VCM. I think VCM was introduced in the following generation of Odysseys (starting around 2005 I think). I know because we formerly owned a 2004 Honda Odyssey (also an EX-L), which definitely did not have VCM. I'm curious as to how long the transmission lasted in the 2002 Odyssey mentioned. Ours failed at around 160K; we had the transmission rebuilt, drove it another couple of years or so and then gave it away to an inner city church at around 180K, who in turn gave it to a family in need.

What is interesting is that while the 2005-2010 and on Honda Odysseys had VCM, my 2008 Honda Ridgeline does not have VCM. I'm thankful for that! Yes, it gets poorer gas mileage, but the engine oil stays a lot cleaner.
 
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Little update on this Altima, just hit 285,000 mi and has developed a pretty good ATF leak. I really didn't want to do it, but added a quart of the Bars leak seal stuff. I'm still shooting for 300k, we'll see what the outcome is.
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Almost to 300k miles on the 05 Altima!! Should hit it next week.
 
Only have 2--one is at 176k and the other at 261k. No plans to get rid of either, but I won't spend "lots" to keep them going either.
 
The 95 GMC in my sig is at 155,000 and runs fine, the trans was rebuilt at 128,000 as it had a lot of towing miles. Had a backup camera, remote start and sound system installed in June so will be keeping it on the road. Son has a new 3/4 ton GMC which is nice but I`m lost in it on several levels.
 
Taurus in signature rolled 200,000 last month. Seems to really like 5W30 over the 5W20 on the oil fill cap. See no reason not to keep trucking along. New valve cover gaskets, spark plugs/wires and coil pack installed in the past year. Bottle of HPL EC 30 ran at initial purchase with a 2000 mile run. Been on a diet of 5W30 high mileage oil since. New quick struts on the front both sides. Front left wheel bearing replaced. Just a solid, nice riding older car.
 
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`06 Odyssey EXL, VCM still intact

Extreme duty, short trips, all weather, 4 drivers, all functions well!

replaced:
2 timing belts w/associated components
3 sets spark plugs
1 valve adjustment
countless transmission services, trans filter changed 2 times as well
2 of the 5 engine mounts
some other little things
mostly just normal maintenance
mostly follow the OLM, with any synthetic that was on sale from 0w-20 to 5w-30.

208,000 miles
 
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`06 Odyssey EXL, VCM still intact

Extreme duty, short trips, all weather, 4 drivers, all functions well!

replaced:
2 timing belts w/associated components
3 sets spark plugs
1 valve adjustment
countless transmission services, trans filter changed 2 times as well
2 of the 5 engine mounts
some other little things
mostly just normal maintenance
mostly follow the OLM, with any synthetic that was on sale from 0w-20 to 5w-30.

208,000 miles
Did you do the valve adjustment yourself? I have a J35 too, and I'm thinking I should do it soon.
 
05’ Xterra with 198,000 miles. Just got the front end overhauled. I’m going to do brakes all around soon. Bypassed radiator so no smod. Relocated rear diff breather to tail light. Timing chain is silent. Cats were replaced by previous owner. Getting valve cover gaskets done next week. Hoping it’ll be a solid running vehicle for years to come.
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I should do a VCM muzzle, but I feel I made it this far and the car at this point is kinda a beater, so I just keep on doing what I did to make it to 208,000 with the VCM in tack.
 
2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L with VCM enabled.
172,560 miles.
Original engine doesn't use a drop of oil.
Original transmission shifts smoothly with no issues at all.
It has very agile handling (Unlike the 2023 model Odysseys that are not agile).
Have only used OEM parts, Honda ATF-DW1, and Full Synthetic oil.

Goal is to take it to 300k miles now that it is being driven a lot of miles annually.
For me, it's a Honda or nothing.
 
2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L with VCM enabled.
172,560 miles.
Original engine doesn't use a drop of oil.
Original transmission shifts smoothly with no issues at all.
It has very agile handling (Unlike the 2023 model Odysseys that are not agile).
Have only used OEM parts and Full Synthetic oil.

Goal is to take it to 300k miles.
For me, it's a Honda or nothing.
Very impressive that it doesn't burn oil.

I add about 2 quarts per oil 5000 oil change interval. And have been adding oil for many years 10+.

I have changed the PCV valve about every 30,000 miles.

The inside of my engine looks nasty. Sludge and varnish. The short trips took a toll on it early in its' life.

Any specific brand or viscosity of oil that you used? Do you follow the Oil Life Monitor or go by miles?

It sounds like you will make it to 300,000 and more.
 
Very impressive that it doesn't burn oil.

I add about 2 quarts per oil 5000 oil change interval. And have been adding oil for many years 10+.

I have changed the PCV valve about every 30,000 miles.

The inside of my engine looks nasty. Sludge and varnish. The short trips took a toll on it early in its' life.

Any specific brand or viscosity of oil that you used? Do you follow the Oil Life Monitor or go by miles?

It sounds like you will make it to 300,000 and more.
For most of it's life it saw Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20 (changed every 4500 miles/6 months, and later Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 changed every 4,000 miles/6 months).
Once my Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage stach dries up I'll be switching to SuperTech High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 as it has a lot more phosphorous and zinc anti-wear additives and a lot more Calcium (derergent) additive. I've also done a total of 6 periodic engine flushes throughout the years which may have helped gradually keep the inside of the engine clean. I also changed the PCV valve every 30k miles.

I was thinking of switching to 5k mile/6 months OCI's.
My thinking is that the GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 oils have stricter limits for sludge and for the deposits which form varnish than regular API SP oils, and that 5k mile / 6month OCI in the J35A7 engines with VCM enabled would be safe with a GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil.

Just wanted to ask if you think it's safe to go to a 5k OCI on the Honda J35A7 engines with VCM enabled?

I also wanted to ask what was your typical OCI in terms of miles / months?
Also, did your van ever run while it was very low on oil which might have caused engine wear?
Just trying to understand the cause of the oil consumption.
 
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For most of it's life it saw Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-20 (changed every 4500 miles/6 months, and later Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 changed every 4,000 miles/6 months).
Once my Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage stach dries up I'll be switching to SuperTech High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-30 as it has a lot more phosphorous and zinc anti-wear additives and a lot more Calcium (derergent) additive. I've also done a total of 6 periodic engine flushes throughout the years which may have helped gradually keep the inside of the engine clean. I also changed the PCV valve every 30k miles.

I was thinking of switching to 5k mile/6 months OCI's.
My thinking is that the GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 oils have stricter limits for sludge and for the deposits which form varnish than regular API SP oils, and that 5k mile / 6month OCI in the J35A7 engines with VCM enabled would be safe with a GM Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil.

Just wanted to ask if you think it's safe to go to a 5k OCI on the Honda J35A7 engines with VCM enabled?

I also wanted to ask what was your typical OCI in terms of miles / months?
Also, did your van ever run while it was very low on oil which might have caused engine wear?
Just trying to understand the cause of the oil consumption.
I am the original owner. I never ran the engine low on oil. Always in the safe zone, usually adding .5-.75 qts. at a time.
I mostly followed the OLM and changed at 15%. Usually 4000-7000 miles. Mostly 4500 when oil life monitor hits 15%. (oil change every 4-5 ish months)
My van experienced all kinds of adventures, unfortunately many of them very short trips. 1 mile, to kids school, 1 mile to grocery store, 10 start-ups per day. Sometime no engine warm-ups in freezing temperatures. Some 1000 mile road trips as well.
It's been to H and back, kinda surprised myself it is doing as well as it is.
Never did an engine flush. At this point afraid of a flush due to dislodging and clogging something internal.

Oils used:
Mobil 1, 0w-20 AFE, 0w-20 EP, 5w-20, 0w-30 AFE, 5w-30 (Probably 50% of the changes where with Mobil 1)
Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 (~ 5 changes)
Castrol 5w-20 Syn blend (1x)
Amsoil XL 5w-20 (1 or 2 times)
Amsoil Sig Series 0w-20 (1 or 2 times) (engine was the quietest and smoothest on this)
Redline 5w-20 (1x to try to clean up the insides) saw very minor cleaning, through fill hole
Napa Synthetic 5w-20
Valvoline SynPower 0w-20, 5w-30

The only thing that seems to temporarily reduce oil consumption is using Redline Fuel system cleaner as I think it helps clean up the piston ring pack from the top end. Mobil 1 0w-20 EP seemed to do well to loosen some internal deposits and hopefully clean up ring pack from the bottom end.

If you switch to longer change intervals I would peek in the oil fill hole with a flashlight every 500-1000 miles, if you see the slightest bit of varnish or deposits you are going too long with your oil change.

My internals of my `06 Odyssey are a mess and I am embarrassed. Combination of engine design and usage that made my mess, not lack of maintenance. I do have detailed records, but I would estimate I have changed the oil 50 times.
 
My previous two cars (listed below) easily qualified. If this long-running thread continues for a few more months, my Prius should qualify too. So far, no mechanical or electrical repairs have been needed, and it isn't consuming significant oil or coolant (despite the reputation of this generation).
 
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