Hey all....we have a 2012 EX-L with rear entertainment system. It has about 41000km on it.

A few days ago the check engine light came on, missfires occured, gear changes poor and traction control light came on. Took it in and it was stated that the ceramic on the spark plug for cylinder 2 had a crack in it. Not sure how this could happen on such a young vehicle. Spark plug replaced and all was fine for 1.5 days.

Yesterday the same stuff happened again...so back it went. This time a coil in cylinder 1 was faulty. So we are waiting for the part.

I find it very strange cylinders 1 and 2 have had issues with such low km use. Is this just dumb luck or an indicator of future problems? I have asked for all cylinders to be checked, but dealer seems hesitant to do so. I am just feeling suspicious now.

Do any of you have comments on this or info that you can share?

Thanks

 

I doubt you have a bad coil.

This is a well known problem. Honda has updated the valve seals and produced a PCM update to adjust VTEC timing that is supposed to help with the oil getting into the cylinders. #1 and #3 are the most common ones that oil foul plugs, but #2 and #4 can do it as well. They probably didn't check the other plugs when they replaced the first one.

You are still well inside powertrain warranty (at least for the US). I suspect it's new enough to already have the upgraded valve seals. If they updated the PCM, replaced plugs, and you continue to have problems, they will need to replace the short block at Honda's expense.

Honda is also having oil consumption problems on some Accord 4-cylinders and a lot of Accord V6s, also. (same 3.5 engine)

 

thanks for the response....here is the story so far:


1. Reported defective spark plug in cylinder 2..replaced
2. About 1.5 weeks later SAME problem comes back...they replace coil on cylinder 1

(1 and 2 are what I originally posted)

NOW

about 1.5 weeks later (after step 2 above) the problem comes back. Dealer says he is "stumped" and is going from a list from Honda...they have replaced all spark plugs. They said spark plug on cylinder 1 bad now

Does this sound right? Starting to get a bit worried about this.

 

Unbelievable!

I hate that you are having problems with your new Honda. Who is your dealer and what country?

A list from Honda? They must be talking about a troubleshooting tree or something. A misfire troubleshooting tree for this problem is useless. Looking at the first plug they pulled should have told them all they need to know. The plug ceramic cracked because of oil fouling. Obviously, it takes about 1.5 weeks to foul the new plug. That is a serious oil consumption problem!

You need a short block and possibly valve seals also depending on the vin number. Your dealer must be very small or just have a poor service department. All dealers are different! I recommend you call Honda @ 800-999-1009 and explain what is happening. (That is the number for Honda in the US, I'm not sure what country you are in.) Make sure they know the whole story and that this is your third time having the same problem.They should be able to steer your dealer in the right direction.

The part to worry about isn't the car itself. The fact that the dealer hasn't contacted techline already is what makes me worry. I would find another dealer if I was you. If they can't even figure it out or have enough sense to call techline, I certainly wouldn't trust them to replace the block. This is a fairly common problem on late model V6s with VCM. Block replacement is a MAJOR repair that can cause you problems down the road if not done correctly. By that time, you may be out of warranty. You need a competent technician doing it. If done correctly, you won't have any more problems.

Step one: Call Honda Customer Service
Step two: Find a better technician that has a clue
Step three: Enjoy driving your Honda trouble free!

Good luck!

 

Thanks for your posts...you seem to have some inside information, which is nice to have.

I am in Canada and the van is going in Thursday....anything else you can think of for guidance as to what I should say (other than your other posts).

I do appreciate your input.

Hopefully this will work out...

 

Canada, huh? Take off, eh! You hoser!

Canada customer relations # is (888) 946-6329

Call Honda CR Wednesday and get them up to speed. They are there to help you with things like this and are usually very receptive.

I have personally replaced several blocks for this issue. That's about as inside as it gets, lol.

 

I have a 2011 EX-L Pilot that had a similar issue. With mine, I had a fouled #2 plug which they replaced and updated the engine firmware. They stated that this was a known issue with the V6 and the code update should prevent it from happening in the future.

I did not have issues with coil packs or any other plugs. The repair was covered under warranty and took about 30 minutes to complete. I had around 62K on the odometer at the tiem.

 

Any news, Ron?

 

This is interesting.

A friend of mine has a 2012 Odyssey Touring, and he's going through a very interesting time with Honda and the Honda dealer regarding a minor drivability issue.

So far, they have replaced torque converter, transmission, PCM, an electronically governed motor mount...and maybe stuff I forgot about.

Very puzzling considering that people are sending in surveys to Consumer Reports saying how totally awesome the 2012 Odyssey is.

I cannot help wondering whether part of the problem is that OG J Motor drivers are not accepting VCM differences that are really normal.

 

I have only owned two J Motors, and they were both 6-6's, so mine were fine.

Driving the van, I can feel what he is complaining about. The dealer and Honda have spent a lot of money trying to fix it...but I fear it's a regular VCM difference in drivability perception.

 

Sorry for not posting lately.....had some other issues as well LOL.

So as of my last post...as of May 16 dealer was told by Honda Canada to replace ALL plugs and did so. All was ok...even went on 800km round trip mini vacation. All was fine.

Now, on June 6th, I started the van in the driveway and immediately the mis-firing started as before...with check engine light on. I decided to drive and see what would happen. No impovement. So I stopped in a parking lot and turned it off. Turn it back on and I am problem free...no misfiring, no check engine light. I think horay!!

Next day I am off to work...all is ok. They is starts back up again on the highway...so there is another dealer where I work...I drop it off and wait a few days (they had others in front and was a Friday). They check it today (June 10) and there is no problem. No codes are being stored. Yes I am 100% sure of misfiring and it is documented. They state they have never heard of this before and will call Honda and other dealer.

What a mess....not sure what to so now...

Any advice...sigh...

 

Sounds like a computer replacement is in your weather forecast.

You're describing it as a misfire...but it could be something else.

One rather strange sounding thing they can do is keep the vehicle, and give you a loaner. While they have your Honda, they'll drive it around in all conditions at various times with microphones mounted in different places to be sure of just what it is that is happening.

Fuel system, valve train, transmission, torque converter...might just come down to PCM replacement.

 

It was originally said to be a misfire...sure feels like one. The crux of it all is that nobody has a clue. The new dealer it is at said they will call Honda. I suspect I will need to buy an ODB reader and keep it handy myself.

Never expected such a gong show from Honda....

 

I'm surprised they didn't replace any of the coil packs, it's relatively common around here on 11 and 12 J-Series equipped motors. They had a bad batch run through production.

Honda is going through growing pains, hopefully Honda of Canada is as good as Honda of America is and will solve your problems for you.

 

The replaced the coil pack for cylinder 1...which worked for a while...then same misfires, then replace all plugs...now back again.

A new dealer has had it for the full day today....will see waht happens when call

What growing pains??

 

well...finally a solution. This new dealer used the info from this forum and called Honda. It is oil fouling in cylinder 1, as DELuth said...what a mess.

New engine now. They will investigate short-block solution, but most likely a very bad manufacturing defect. Most likely new engine, once they take the old one apart, take pictures and send to Honda...prob 3-4 weeks

Had transmission issues with 02 Odyssey....now this. Not good in my books, maybe last Honda we get.

Rental given to be is a Subaru Outback SUV...more room for driver than Odyssey LOL...

 

Still no official word from Honda Canada...they want pics and engine is in pieces at dealer. Dealer suspects maybe replaceing pistons and rings...not sure why that and not whole thing...any ideas?

 

So...just an update for all interested.

Pistons to be replaced
Piston rings to be replaced
Heads machined.

Hopefully all done in the next few weeks.

 

Glad you are finally getting somewhere. I hope it all turns out well for you.

I'm not sure why they are not replacing the short block assembly. Honda Canada may have different criteria than USA division.

Also not sure why they would machine the heads. Replace valve seals, sure, but why machine them?