I have a 2010 Honda pilot with 60k miles. 3 1/2 weeks ago I got a code for a misfire on cylinder 3. I chalked this up to using poor gas when I filled up in the middle of nowhere and deleted the code. Went to take emissions a few days later and the car was rejected. Figuring I didn't complete all of the drive cycles the car was driven another 3 weeks (1500 mi) of mixed driving (stop and go, highway......). Went to take emissions today and it was rejected again. Check engine light never came back on after I cleared it 3 1/2 weeks ago. Am I missing something.here???

 

Yeah, what you're missing is the reason why the truck was rejected. What reason did the tech give?

 

It didn't fail, it was rejected meaning it didn't hit all the drive cycles. No codes. A vehicle will only fail due to a CEL.

 

Basically if you were to clear the CEL and immediately take it to emissions. Only I cleared the code 2k miles ago.

 

It needs drive cycles not miles.

 

I would have figured a month of driving every day would have passed all the drive cycles, no?

 

So which monitors have not set?

 

I'm going to take a look at it tomorrow when I get my scan tool back.

 

Hooked the scanner up and there was a stored code P3400 that hit when I had completed all but 2 drive cycles. This generic code will not let the cycles complete. Had the problem occurred twice it would have turned the CEL on. So that means the fault happened only once in the past 2000 miles otherwise the CEL would have gone on. I cleared the code and I am going to monitor the drive cycles with the scanner and when they all hit I'm going to run to emissions. I will further diagnose the problem if and when the CEL comes on.

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...uLT3eOY4HXjamA

I turned this up. Time for a trip to the dealer.

 

Wow, thanks for that. The MIL never came on but if and when it does I will take it in.

 

I am a dealer tech and have been doing many repairs on the newer 3.5s with VCM. What happens in most cases is that when the rear bank shuts down there is no combustion and no pressure on the rings and they have a habit of spinning on the pistons. Once they find a spot where there is thrust pressure they stay. Almost every one that comes in with a P0301, p0302, P0303 has this issue and is documented by Honda. Most ones I take apart has the compression rings on thrust sides and the oil rings in line with them causing a random or constant misfire and oil burning hence your emissions fail. There is a warranty extension on this issue, contact your dealer. There is a reflash for VCM control and a bulletin to replace the plugs but it's a band-aid and will come back. You have probably already been down that road. If you need more info or want the actual warranty info I can get it to you.