Valve Cover Photos - 2016 Acura RDX w/161,000 miles

[demarpaint]

You are saying this engine went many more miles and the situation was resolved using synthetic oil? That color shouts coolant mixture to me.

No coolant mixture, as I stated "in a well maintained engine" at the time of that picture. Pressure testing, and a UOA indicated a healthy engine, with no coolant in the oil. I gave it to my son with 100K on it, and it went to about 150-160K miles when my son replaced it with a new Hyundai Accent in late 2017. Situation resolved? The synthetic oil had done some cleaning, although it was nowhere near as clean the OP posted. My point was only to show how someone who follows blanket statements might find they aren't always correct, and why I always take them with a grain of salt. Long before my Bitog days.

 

[Sayjac]

Not muzzled and the difference was probably due to lighting. In person they looked the same.......

Cool, good info. Own Honda w/ 3.5L, less miles per ~1 year oci all w/ 0w20. 'Some' ST Syn used. Also, no muzzle. Thanks for the pics.

 

[The Critic]

Cool, good info. Own Honda w/ 3.5L, less miles per ~1 year oci all w/ 0w20. 'Some' ST Syn used. Also, no muzzle. Thanks for the pics.

As usual, your experience may vary.

 

[ltslimjim]

O yes it is.. It shows that you dont need a mail order oil to get good results...Just a name brand store bought oil and maintain it well..

In terms of cleanliness? Yes.

We don’t know the longterm overall wear on the engine between oil brands or formulations; over the course of an engine’s life. And, do be honest, a Honda with this many miles is like 50,000 on a domestic. Were we expecting it to not clear 200k easily?

 

[The Critic]

And, do be honest, a Honda with this many miles is like 50,000 on a domestic. Were we expecting it to not clear 200k easily?

A significant number of the 05-15 Honda/Acura V6 engines with VCM never made it past 120K without requiring a ring job.

 

[ltslimjim]

A significant number of the 05-15 Honda/Acura V6 engines with VCM never made it past 120K without requiring a ring job.

Yes. The exception where a model has known problems. What is the general consensus on the 2016?

 

[tbm5690]

Yes. The exception where a model has known problems. What is the general consensus on the 2016?

I believe Gen 3 VCM came out with the introduction of DI on the J35. Regardless, it varies model to model and wasn't one year that fixed every Acura and Honda with this issue. My 2014 MDX isn't prone to issues while it's Honda counterpart of the same year was still in that window.

 

[Sayjac]

As usual, your experience may vary.

Oh yeah for sure. Still, seeing an anecdote with oci history and details, encouraging, imo.

 

[ltslimjim]

I think the fact you have 0 oil consumption is almost more important that how clean it looks up top; in that it’s a good indicator the piston rings are clean and functioning well. Wonder if you could get some borescope pics next time spark plugs are due? My previous comment wasn’t intended to take away from the good maintenance you’ve done. It is interesting that these can tend to be troublesome, but you’ve gotten proof at minimum good maintenance can provide the best possible outcome. Is this the same engine series @Trav had to fight to clean up sludge several years back; just a newer model?