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Honda Accord VCM

2715 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2012 at 6:25 PM

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What is this discussion about? Honda Accord, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 271 of 272

#2700 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [indydriver] by plymouthma

Oct 03, 2012 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: indydriver (Oct 02, 2012 4:28 pm)
Dealership got response from technical advisor Honda, they agree that lower engine block needs replacement, also need to fix rings ( which are in upper block?). (I am not technically savvy re: engines.)They think lower block problem allowing oil to leak and foul plugs. Estimated cost of repair =$6,000. Honda will cover all but $200-300, which i am reasonably happy with given car has 75,000 mi on it. Worry though that this may happen again. I kept my prior 2003 v-6 accord till 200,000mi, not sure if i will get that from this car with VCM.
  I have heard honda hopes software updates will solve this problem but i am not sure if this is proven over time.

#2701 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [plymouthma] by indydriver

Oct 03, 2012 (5:01 pm)

Replying to: plymouthma (Oct 03, 2012 3:50 pm)
Obviously, any Honda owner would be disappointed with an engine that only lasted 75,000 miles. Can you imagine the new car showroom with a big promotion: "Step right up and get your 75,000 mile Hondas!".
 
It is good to see Honda stepping up on a car that is well beyond the warranty period. I think you should be happy with this action. I'd be thinking about trading it though soon after it is repaired.
 
'Rings' refers to piston rings that seal the cylinder walls during piston movement keeping combustion elements out of the crankcase and crankcase oil out of the combustion chamber. Note that piston rings were "upgraded" for MY 2011.
 
All said, I still believe that these "fixes" are merely bandaids on a bad technology. GM learned it's lesson the hard way but Honda seems intent on betting the ranch on cylinder deactivation. It's a cheap route to gain a little CAFE fleet average bump but the problems created by temperature and pressure differentials and who knows what else empirically reduce life expectancy of this engine. Honda began by stonewalling all their loyal customers and have lost many for good. It appears now they are quietly fixing these engines as they fail. They will never know how many people like me never even considered their product when shopping for minivans earlier this year.

#2702 of 2715 Re: Honda Crosstour VCM [indydriver] by lneil06

Oct 03, 2012 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: indydriver (Sep 19, 2012 6:52 am)
The engine mounts were OK - A National Rep came in and found cylinder 5 valves tight - causing misfires.. He also replaced the Torque Converter and Front Drive shafts. This is the Thirds set of drive shafts on this car.
 
The vibration is better at 22mph - but worse at 71-72mph.
 
Not good for a $34,000 2010 Honda Crosstour..

#2703 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [indydriver] by ioreper

Oct 04, 2012 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: indydriver (Oct 03, 2012 5:01 pm)
Just dropped off my 2009 Honda Accord V6 with 70K miles at the dealer after it started running very rough with CEL flashing. I am guessing it's misfiring again. About this time last year, the same thing happened at 80+ mph on the highway but it was a lot worse. Whole car was bucking, CEL flashing, and caution light flashing. At that time, I got it to the dealer 3 miles away and they diagnosed misfire on all cylinders. The spark plugs were trashed! They upgraded the software like the service bulletin suggested and said it wasn't going to happen again. Well - I think it happened again tonight and not long after the CEL came on 2 weeks ago for low oil due to VCM as well. I am fed up with VCM and even more so with Honda not taking responsibility for the issue. When this happened last year, I opened a case with Honda and demanded them to pay for all repairs (~$600 worth). They were only willing to take partial responsibility at ~$200 which I refused to take. This time, I am not letting it go that easy. Any tips on taking this issue back to Honda? Especially now that it hit me twice in just one year.

#2704 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [ioreper] by indydriver

Oct 05, 2012 (4:30 am)

Replying to: ioreper (Oct 04, 2012 7:29 pm)
Document everything and go through Honda's process. As we are seeing, they seem to be more willing to step up. Let us know how it turns out. Good luck.

#2705 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [indydriver] by ioreper

Oct 07, 2012 (6:40 am)

Replying to: indydriver (Oct 05, 2012 4:30 am)
Update. My local dealer who got the pleasure of dealing with me this time diagnosed a misfire on one cylinder and a fouled spark plug. They recommended I replace all spark plugs (as I did last year at roughly 50K). After all, the car has 70K miles on it. The PCM software, however, is up to date this time.
 
After I kindly explained the history and similar diagnosis from the other dealer last year, I asked them to dig deeper and call me back with a root cause or they could keep my car. They called back many hours later and after spending some time on the Honda tech line. Apparently, they took some things apart and sent photos to Honda who in turn recommended a short block and rings free of charge. When asked why, they explained that there are issues with the VCM getting oil to specific cylinders which is causing misfires and fouled plugs. Who knows what else could be affected. Their fix seems a little more permanent than replacing plugs every few months but I am not keeping my hopes up. I am re-opening my original case with Honda from last year and going after a full reimbursement on the original PCM software upgrade and spark plug job.
 
I am now worried of new issues down the road, which may not have manifest yet, due to the oil not getting everywhere it should for over 70K miles. Any ideas about what they could be? Part of me wants to keep the car in hopes that the next repair will be the last related to this. Another part of me wants to give this lemon back to Honda and get my money back to buy a more reliable car.
 
Any ideas what else I could expect down the road related to this issue? I drive about 20-24K miles every year. I need reliability above all else. That's why I bought this car in the first place and so far, the plan has backfired.

#2706 of 2715 Re: Well it's finally happened [indydriver] by ioreper

Oct 07, 2012 (6:51 am)

Replying to: indydriver (May 18, 2012 3:27 am)
I've been having multiple VCM-related issues (fouled plugs, low oil, etc). I drive almost entirely highway. My 2009 Accord currently has over 70K miles on it. Honda just recommended a short block and rings. I am worried there is more wrong with the engine and seriously considering a different car. Here are the details - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f169a0d/2704#MSG2704.

#2707 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [ioreper] by indydriver

Oct 07, 2012 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: ioreper (Oct 07, 2012 6:40 am)
Unfortunately, there is really only one long term solution for you or anyone with recurring problems due to faulty technology: get rid of it. Move on.

#2708 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [indydriver] by plymouthma

Oct 07, 2012 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: indydriver (Oct 07, 2012 12:18 pm)
I got my car back yesterday. i paid $250, Honda paid for rest. The dealership gave me loaner for free for 5 days. they replaced small or lower engine block, ring seals, 3 plugs, etc. I asked them if they think this will happen again, they seemed confident that with software update that it would not. I was wondering if any one after the software change, (2011 or newer) has had this problem.So far it seems to be only in cars prior to this update, such as mine and ioreper.
  Right now the car is smooth, i never noticed significant hesitation from VCM either now or previously.

#2709 of 2715 Re: recurring fouled spark plug with vcm [plymouthma] by indydriver

Oct 13, 2012 (8:08 am)

Replying to: plymouthma (Oct 07, 2012 2:38 pm)
The only hope I can give you is that our 2011 with 13,000 miles has been flawless. However, it is driven 95% city, so it is rarely exposed to the conditions that create problems (long stretches of 3 cylinder operation, i.e., highway cruising). The 2011's also have the piston ring mod and extra moly when delivered. Since the moly eventually washes away, I am going to a high moly oil.

Messages Page 271 of 272

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