You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Honda Odyssey Honda Odyssey Oil Consumption Problem

Honda Odyssey Oil Consumption Problem

3 messages,  Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 4:56 PM

You are in the Honda Odyssey Forum. Your Host is Karens

What is this discussion about? Honda Odyssey, Auto Repair, Van

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1 of 3 Honda Odyssey Oil Consumption Problem by frustrated2009 Feb 04, 2009 (2:40 pm)
We've got a 2005 Honda Odyssey that's eating oil like there's no tomorrow. Where could the oil be going? We have No indication where it might be going- no leaks, puddles, smoke etc. It was a gradual problem at first. Now, it's really become a problem and an inconvenience! The van finally broke down on Christmas eve. Check engine light was on and the van just wouldn't accelerate past 50 after gasing up while on a trip out of state. We had it towed to the nearest dealer who kept it for 3 weeks. They replaced gaskets, an O-ring, Fuel injector assy, catalytic converter, spark plugs etc. It's driveable now, but after two weeks we checked the oil level and it was two quarts low on oil since we took possession of it two weeks ago. Took it into the Honda dealer where we purchased it. They told me last year that it would take several days if not a week to diagnose the oil consumption problem. This was before the partial engine failure we experienced Christmas eve. Same day they called me and told me the van was ready for pick-up. They'd checked it out. Changed the oil. Couldn't find a thing. Bring it back in two weeks. HUH??? Ridiculous!!! Any suggestions? We're still covered by an extended warrantee for 20,000 more miles. Too bad the catalytic converter wasn't. Diagnosis at engine failure: "Caused by Found 30 PSI in cylinder one. 130 in all others removed head and found exhaust valve burnt through." In English this means?? Thanks for your help in advance.
#2 of 3 Oil Consuption Problem/Engine Failure/Battery Problem by dvrguy Feb 13, 2009 (8:26 am)
I bought the 2008 Odyssey from Norme Reeves Honda in Cerritos in December 07. I took it in for service to Norme Reeves in July 2008 because the engine light came on. Norme Reeves did a free service which included oil change. The odometer about 8000 miles. I asked about the engine light and was told that it was nothing to be concerned about. The engine light was shut off.   For the past four months, the battery drained out without cause about 10 times including the morning of the car's seize. On each occasion, we jump started the car.   The night of the car's death, my wife moved the car from the parking lot which is on a level surface, to the street which has steep slope. Within minutes, the car stalled and didn't restart. We tried jumping again but this time it didn't start. It sounded liked it was out of gas. The gas meter read 1/2 full. (There are two documented complaints with Consumer Affairs about 08 Odyssey stalling on slopes.)   Next morning, we changed the battery as we did with our new 2004 Odyssey that had the same battery problem. The new battery solved the problem with the 2004. This time, the car didn't restart.   We towed the car to the nearest dealer, Colonial Honda of Glendale, that morning. In the afternoon, the rep called and said the engine was seized. He said the mechanic drained only 1 quart of oil from the engine. Because the smart warning system read over 5000 miles overdue in service, Honda denied warranty.   I asked the mechanic if it was normal for an engine to burn off all that oil in 10,000 miles, he said it was not. I called Honda Customer Care and discussed the situation. I told her I added 2 quarts of oil to the car when the warning light came on about a month ago and that it was odd that the mechanic drained only 1 quart of oil in the engine. The dipstick mark indicated sufficient oil and warning shut off. She put me on hold, then came back to tell me they won't honor the warranty because I added oil myself and not at the dealer.   Next day, I took the car to Norme Reeves Honda for a second opinion. They gave me the similar answer as Colonial. This time, the rep said the oil used in the Odyssey is natural oil rather than synthetic and can burn off all the oil in 10,000. I asked him why other cars don't burn oil that fast. He said 08 Odysseys have different engine and burns more oil.   Now the car has about 18,000 miles. It is 2008 Odyssey Touring and has a smart warning system that indicates that it's overdue for service. Since my first car as a kid, I serviced all my cars every 7500 to 10,000 miles. I just added oil if the indicator read low in between service. None ever seized or burned 4 quarts of oil in a month. Replies to this message: flyboy4nd (Nov 24, 2009 4:56 pm)
#3 of 3 Re: Oil Consuption Problem/Engine Failure/Battery Problem [dvrguy] by flyboy4nd Nov 24, 2009 (4:56 pm)
Replying to: dvrguy (Feb 13, 2009 8:26 am) dvr, just wondering if your Odyssey has the Variable Cylinder Management system (shuts down 2 cylindars when cruising to supposedly save gas) We just had the engine replaced on a 2009 Honda Odyssey with 7200 miles. When examined the dealer determined that seals or gaskets on engine valve exhaust were not installed by manufacturer and we had NO OIL in the engine. They indicated "a small handful of engines left the factory like this" A web search turns up numerous 2008-2010 Honda owners who have reported unusual or unexplained engine oil loss or consumption. Not sure if it is limited to the vehicles like ours with the Variable Cylinder Management system. Honda USA has not announced a recall or shown there are steps in place to protect consumers. Our engine FAILED (rear cam seized) while my wife was sitting at idle for about 25 minutes waiting to pick up our kids from school. I am thankful the engine failed at idle and not while driving down the highway with children on board. I told a friend at work about my wife’s experience and he immediately checked the oil on his 2010 Odyssey. No oil reading on the dipstick with only 3200 miles on his new car. No warning lights. The dealer drained his engine and found less than two quarts were in the engine which holds four and a half. The dealer filled the oil and said to come back in 1000 miles. That is a tough call when you have your wife and children riding in the vehicle. Honda obviously cannot take apart every engine to see who has this defect and I applaud them for not trying to blame us and quickly replacing our engine. My concern is for my friend and others who have had unexplained engine oil loss who may not be aware of the manufacturer defect and for others on the web who have been told by dealers that since they changed their own oil or allowed someone other than Honda to service the oil that the engine replacement would not be covered under warranty. In my opinion, regardless of the fact of who changed the oil, if Honda did not install the exhaust valve gaskets which led to the loss of oil without indications, they owe the consumer a new engine. Just so no one thinks there is absolutely no warning, I offer that at 3500 miles the check engine light came on (we thought it was the computer telling us a normal service was due) We called dealer, brought the van in and they noted the oil was quite a bit low for so few miles. We chalked it up as a strange, but normal oil change at dealer and check engine was reset. At 7100 miles while I was deployed to the Middle East in the military, my wife had the following indications of an imminent engine seizure. Note there is no running hot, no oil in driveway, no steady oil light, no engine noise or vibrations, and no blue or dark smoke in the exhaust) Her indications of the upcoming failure were, a flicker of a check engine light and flash of oil light when braking hard. She called the dealer and was told they had no openings and could bring car in next afternoon. She started car in morning and no warning lights were on so she drove kids to school 1 mile away. She went back to pick up our oldest and had the car idling for 25 minutes and the engine simply quit and would not restart. No oil light etc just prior to failure. Note that tow trucks cannot hold you and 2 car seats and a booster seat, so when your car breaks down you are in big trouble. Bottom line: If you are the owner of a 2008-2010 Honda with the 6 cylinder Variable Cylinder Management system or have experienced unexplained oil loss or oil consumption, check your oil every 1000 miles. Get the oil loss documented at the dealer. Tell them you want the unexplained oil loss fixed and give them 3 attempts. If you live in Florida you have 24 months from purchase under the lemon law. If unexplained oil consumption not explained insist they take engine apart and see if the valve exaust gaskets were installed. If anyone needs a reference, contact Wesley Chapel Honda in FL. My friend will be watching his oil closely and if he ends up with same issue as me, we will be contacting Honda USA and if they dont have a plan to assist consumers, the BBB will get a copy of the letter to Honda.

Messages Page 1 of 1 All Messages Displayed

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Honda Odyssey Honda Odyssey Oil Consumption Problem