My 2012 EX-L with 55K started acting sluggish in low speeds and check engine light & VSA light came on. Dealer pulled code P0302 and says spark plugs and piston rings need replaced. I found out in this great forum there was a class action lawsuit on the VCM issue, which appears to be the ultimate cause of this. Questions:
1. Extended warranty on the TSB 13-081 expired May 2020 (8 yrs from my purchase date). I wasn't aware of this design flaw before this happened to me. I've asked dealer to see if Honda will help out. Anyone have any luck on this?
2. If I get an active VCM muzzle like VCMTunerII, how hard is that to install for a novice?
3. Obviously spark plugs need to be replaced. They say this alone will get me another 10-20K miles before problems arise again. But they also recommend piston ring replacement for $3600! I don't know how carbonized they are -- they just described them as "sticky due to carbon buildup". Is there a way to tell? Would Techron/seafoam help clean these? If Honda won't extend warranty for me, I'm reluctant to pay this $$$ for the piston rings unless necessary.
I've maintained the van well -- doing all required maintenance. I wasn't aware that this VCM issue tended to burn oil, so oil changes were done whenever maintenance minder went off. I have done frequent transmission fluid changes (due to unpleasant experience with 2000 Ody tranny).
1. Extended warranty on the TSB 13-081 expired May 2020 (8 yrs from my purchase date). I wasn't aware of this design flaw before this happened to me. I've asked dealer to see if Honda will help out. Anyone have any luck on this?
2. If I get an active VCM muzzle like VCMTunerII, how hard is that to install for a novice?
3. Obviously spark plugs need to be replaced. They say this alone will get me another 10-20K miles before problems arise again. But they also recommend piston ring replacement for $3600! I don't know how carbonized they are -- they just described them as "sticky due to carbon buildup". Is there a way to tell? Would Techron/seafoam help clean these? If Honda won't extend warranty for me, I'm reluctant to pay this $$$ for the piston rings unless necessary.
I've maintained the van well -- doing all required maintenance. I wasn't aware that this VCM issue tended to burn oil, so oil changes were done whenever maintenance minder went off. I have done frequent transmission fluid changes (due to unpleasant experience with 2000 Ody tranny).
