We own a 2011 Odyssey EX-L RES with 95,000 miles. This has been our 3rd Odyssey and all three were bought new. I usually trade them off every 2.5-3 years but decided to keep it and pay it off because we liked it so well. 6 months ago it was paid off and everything was going great. I can tell you the VCM was light years better than our 2008 as far as drive-ability.
I have read here and other places that some people say that the only reason for these engines to burn oil is poor maint, using cheap oil, or abusing the vehicle. I can tell those people flat out they are full of it. I have religiously kept up with the maintenance and only use M1 0w-20 ever since the 2nd oil change. I can also say that we have never had a single issue with this van except for minor electrical issues ("low battery, see manual" that's another long story) until last week. This van hardly used any oil until this last PM and certainly not enough between PMs to add any. I don't understand what happened or why it happened but it burned 3 quarts of oil within 3,000 miles. The VCM never caused the van to shutter nor did it have a loud noise. The only issue was the lag in power and the cruise control was horrible with the downshifting.
Because my wife drives it on a regular basis, I check the fluids and at least once a month and I have never had to add a drop of oil to it. I drive a 2012 Chevy 4 door Z71 with the 5.3 V8 and I have had to add a qt of oil in it every 3-4,000 miles ever since it had around 50k on it. I tell you this because every time I check my oil, I check hers also. My truck also uses a form of VCM and I think it's the reason it burns so much oil. The weird part is, without checking the exhaust, you would never know it was burning oil (other than checking the dipstick). There is no white smoke from the exhaust and there wasn't a tell tell sign with the Honda either.
My wife told me the CEL and VSA light came on last week and she said it started running rough. When I looked at it, I could tell it was limping. I checked the oil and it didn't show up on the dipstick. So, I put 2 quarts in it and it barely showed up so I added another and that was pretty close to full. Again, what caused this van to go from not burning any significant amount of oil to this so quickly? I started researching it and came across the class action lawsuit and then this forum. I then called my dealer that I bought it from and explained the situation. They told me they knew of the issues with the VCM and to bring it in and they would do an oil consumption test. I took it in and within 2 hours they called me back and said they didn't need to do the test and asked if I could stop back by.
They pulled the plugs and 2 of them looked so corroded and fouled it was beyond belief. Ever see a heating element that goes out in a water heater because of scale buildup? For lack of a better analogy, that is what it looked like. The #1 cylinder was shot. They told me they had already ordered parts and would tear it down and see if there was any other damage and any issue caused by the VCM would be covered under the new extended warranty. I asked about the VCM and oil consumption and they told me it usually comes about gradually but they have seen some that "just happens". I also asked how I could be 3 quarts low and they oil light NEVER came on. They didn't have an answer for that.
So, while my Odyssey sits at the dealer getting "fixed", I start reading more about the VCM and I find out about the VCM MuzzlerII. Needless to say, I have one on order. Thanks Loren! I really hope this issue goes away with the restriction of the VCM. We really love our van and Honda but I can tell you, when I go to buy a new van, unless this issue is resolved, it probably won't be a Honda.
Hopefully everything goes well with fix. I also asked them to replace the timing belt and water pump. If you can think of anything else I need to have them do, please let me know. I will also update after we get the van back. Thank you for your help and advice in advance.
I have read here and other places that some people say that the only reason for these engines to burn oil is poor maint, using cheap oil, or abusing the vehicle. I can tell those people flat out they are full of it. I have religiously kept up with the maintenance and only use M1 0w-20 ever since the 2nd oil change. I can also say that we have never had a single issue with this van except for minor electrical issues ("low battery, see manual" that's another long story) until last week. This van hardly used any oil until this last PM and certainly not enough between PMs to add any. I don't understand what happened or why it happened but it burned 3 quarts of oil within 3,000 miles. The VCM never caused the van to shutter nor did it have a loud noise. The only issue was the lag in power and the cruise control was horrible with the downshifting.
Because my wife drives it on a regular basis, I check the fluids and at least once a month and I have never had to add a drop of oil to it. I drive a 2012 Chevy 4 door Z71 with the 5.3 V8 and I have had to add a qt of oil in it every 3-4,000 miles ever since it had around 50k on it. I tell you this because every time I check my oil, I check hers also. My truck also uses a form of VCM and I think it's the reason it burns so much oil. The weird part is, without checking the exhaust, you would never know it was burning oil (other than checking the dipstick). There is no white smoke from the exhaust and there wasn't a tell tell sign with the Honda either.
My wife told me the CEL and VSA light came on last week and she said it started running rough. When I looked at it, I could tell it was limping. I checked the oil and it didn't show up on the dipstick. So, I put 2 quarts in it and it barely showed up so I added another and that was pretty close to full. Again, what caused this van to go from not burning any significant amount of oil to this so quickly? I started researching it and came across the class action lawsuit and then this forum. I then called my dealer that I bought it from and explained the situation. They told me they knew of the issues with the VCM and to bring it in and they would do an oil consumption test. I took it in and within 2 hours they called me back and said they didn't need to do the test and asked if I could stop back by.
They pulled the plugs and 2 of them looked so corroded and fouled it was beyond belief. Ever see a heating element that goes out in a water heater because of scale buildup? For lack of a better analogy, that is what it looked like. The #1 cylinder was shot. They told me they had already ordered parts and would tear it down and see if there was any other damage and any issue caused by the VCM would be covered under the new extended warranty. I asked about the VCM and oil consumption and they told me it usually comes about gradually but they have seen some that "just happens". I also asked how I could be 3 quarts low and they oil light NEVER came on. They didn't have an answer for that.
So, while my Odyssey sits at the dealer getting "fixed", I start reading more about the VCM and I find out about the VCM MuzzlerII. Needless to say, I have one on order. Thanks Loren! I really hope this issue goes away with the restriction of the VCM. We really love our van and Honda but I can tell you, when I go to buy a new van, unless this issue is resolved, it probably won't be a Honda.
Hopefully everything goes well with fix. I also asked them to replace the timing belt and water pump. If you can think of anything else I need to have them do, please let me know. I will also update after we get the van back. Thank you for your help and advice in advance.