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P0303 - Cylinder 3 misfire detected

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yorimuri

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
CEL started blinking on the way home from a party last weekend. It would stutter/hesitate on hard-ish acceleration....think merging onto highway traffic scenario. Pulled the code and got the misfire reading. That was the only code it threw. Did some research and apparently should start by replacing the plug. $15 later and the CEL has cleared itself and no more stuttering/hesitation. It's been 2 days.

Could it really be that simple? I'm not seeing anything overtly "wrong" with the offending plug but I'm no expert. Anyone else think otherwise? Does it look terrible and replacing the plug has fixed all my ails or does the plug look fine and should halfway expect to see the CEL blink again? That plug has less than 30k miles on it if that makes a difference.
 
#2 ·
yorimuri said:
CEL started blinking on the way home from a party last weekend. It would stutter/hesitate on hard-ish acceleration....think merging onto highway traffic scenario. Pulled the code and got the misfire reading. That was the only code it threw. Did some research and apparently should start by replacing the plug. $15 later and the CEL has cleared itself and no more stuttering/hesitation. It's been 2 days.

Could it really be that simple? I'm not seeing anything overtly "wrong" with the offending plug but I'm no expert. Anyone else think otherwise? Does it look terrible and replacing the plug has fixed all my ails or does the plug look fine and should halfway expect to see the CEL blink again? That plug has less than 30k miles on it if that makes a difference.

View attachment 101121
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The tip looks awfully black and I would be wondering if oil is making it past the rings in that cylinder? If this is the case, it would be a matter of time before the next plug starts acting the same as this one. Maybe pull the replacement plug after a month and compare that plug to a neighboring plug in the engine.
 
#4 ·
That plug looks in rough shape for 30,000 miles of service.

It's reaching a bit I admit, but I wonder if the coil pack is weak. Pull the plug again, attach it to the coil, and ground it. Then crank the engine and watch the spark. It should be blue. If it's orange, replace the coil.

Dave
 
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#6 ·
pappy said:
@taresdad you must have a VCM engine oil is getting into your cylinders123. Check no.1 and no2 plugs . Check no.4 plug as well if your Ody is 2008 +
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Just to clarify...not my Ody, this Ody belongs to "yorimuri". I think that is what you meant when you addressed your post to "@"??? Forgive me if I am wrong, still learning the computer slang around the web. I swear I belong a few decades back sometimes.:dunno:
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
davedrivesody said:
That plug looks in rough shape for 30,000 miles of service.

It's reaching a bit I admit, but I wonder if the coil pack is weak. Pull the plug again, attach it to the coil, and ground it. Then crank the engine and watch the spark. It should be blue. If it's orange, replace the coil.

Dave
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Not reaching at all. Coils go bad all the time. From what I've read you can throw a P0303 code for a number of reasons and bad coil is one of them, along with bad fuel injector, something electrical, etc... Definitely gonna keep an eye on it.

pappy said:
@taresdad you must have a VCM engine oil is getting into your cylinders123. Check no.1 and no2 plugs . Check no.4 plug as well if your Ody is 2008 +
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Correct, I have '09. I checked No.4 while I was swapping out 3 since, unlike 3, it was the easiest to get to. Looked to be in good shape. I believe I ran into a service bulletin about VCM litigation due to excessive oil burning. My ody has over 130k miles on it. Typically that issue develops long before. Anyways, good to keep in mind though.
 
#8 ·
@yorimuri,
Your exact issue is VERY common and, as you may have read, Honda lost a class action lawsuit over it. You're getting the advice you need but you seem to be brushing over it. Is this van an EX-L or Touring? If so, then you have VCM. To say that "typically that issue develops long before" is just not true. That issue can develop at ANY time. There is a reason Honda extended the warranty on this issue to unlimited mileage and 8 years. Pull the #1 and #2 plugs on the back side and take a look. I'd be willing to bet they look similar.

Your 09 vehicle may still be under extended warranty for this. If I were you I'd call the dealer to find out. If it is, I'd put the old plug back in it, drive it until the misfire code comes up again (unless the code is still stored,) and then take it to your local Honda dealer for the repair. The repair is replacement of the four plugs and often times it will need new piston rings. Once you get the repair done by Honda then it is VITAL you install the VCMuzzler:

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-2005-2010-odyssey/268778-vcmuzzler-ii-disabling-vcm-faq-s.html

If it's not under warranty any longer then replace the plugs yourself, install the VCMuzzler and hope the issue doesn't return. It's possible to clean the rings with some BG-109 but I'd save that until after you replace the plugs, install the Muzzler, and see if the misfires return.
 
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Discussion starter · #9 · (Edited)
How am I brushing over advice? I said I'd watch the offending plug as suggested and left open the possibilities of bad coil and in seeing the VCM service bulletin, keeping that in mind, not to mention already inspecting another plug. I think being in these forums have gotten you too used to people asking for other people to do their work for them. Pardon me for doing any research and starting the diagnosis myself before posting up for advice. You've heard of KISS, right? Can't get much simpler than swapping out the plug. I'm not going to run to the stealership for every little thing especially if it's something I can tackle in 30 minutes for $15...LOL.

As for the VCM issue developing anytime, of course that's a possibility. That's why I said "typically" develops long before. Sheesh, there are enough posts in this forum about VCM issues that anyone could ask for...I'm not that oblivious. Can I just take it one step at a time though? Is that ok with you? Thanks
 
#10 ·
Woah, hold on there big fella. A bit defensive and quick with the flamethrower, aren't we? If you're so smart and had your diagnosis complete, why did you post the question to begin with? You seem to think you know more about it than anyone else here yet you posted the question and asked "can it be this simple?" There's nothing wrong with checking the coil but I've never heard of a weak coil on these. Usually they work or they don't. Honda hasn't been replacing rings (and sometimes short blocks) when a simple plug change is all that is needed. You still refuse to even pull the other two plugs and chose to pull #4 instead, which usually looks better than 1-3 just by nature of the VCM2 design. Even if a simple plug change is all that is needed they still update the PCM to try and help prevent further damage. Unfortunately, many times it's still too late and a ring job is necessary. If your rings are damaged then I guess you don't mind waiting until you're for sure out of warranty so you can pay for that yourself too. Your '09 may already be out of warranty based on it's production/sale date but I was trying to possibly save you a TON of money. However, you seem to want to flame me for my suggestion instead. You're welcome.

Good luck

Here's why you should look at plugs 1 & 2: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-20...52-2005-2010-odyssey/234113-vcm-better-way-disable-post1787849.html#post1787849
 
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Discussion starter · #11 · (Edited)
Sorry mate, I don't roll that way with the big fellas. That's why I posted up for advice...because I DON'T know everything. Apparently you missed my comment about not being an expert in my initial post. Seems you're the know it all. Thousands of posts under your belt. Congrats!

Keep living in this forum big fella, but really no need to waste any more of you time on my silly little call for help. I can read up on all the advise from all the numerous threads that you are so good at parroting back over and again at my leisure. Anyways, I'm gonna go do some more wrenching to actually avoid the TONS of money that you speak of...fear monger much??? And good luck to you too.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
@pappy. Thank you and I do appreciate all the advice from others and I said, I am taking them all to heart. To come at me like I'm just ignoring all of them when people go out of there way to respond to me, is disrespectful to those that have provided advise...
 
#17 ·
My 2013 EXL Ody just had the P0303 code. After some research and calls to Honda, there was a class action lawsuit and there is a service bulletin for an extended warranty because of this.
The Honda Service bulletin is 13-081
 
#18 ·
Yes, there is. If it's still covered get it fixed under warranty and then disable the VCM. If it's not covered then change the plugs, disable the VCM and it may likely reverse itself over some time.
 
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#19 ·
John Clark said:
Yes, there is. If it's still covered get it fixed under warranty and then disable the VCM. If it's not covered then change the plugs, disable the VCM and it may likely reverse itself over some time.
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My mechanic recommended a tune up, but then I showed him the service bulletin. He called Honda and verified my VIN is covered and then spoke to a service manager at Honda. I take the van to Honda tomorrow. They better not give me any issues. I hate dealing with service at the dealership. After researching this site I’m going to make sure they do everything that’s in the service bulletin.
 

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#20 ·
Good luck. Honda won’t disable the VCM. You need to do that yourself with a VCM muzzler device.
 
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