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Already replaced cylinder 2 spark plugs twice in less than 18 months and oil is also way below minimum level

812 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  CroMath
Planning on getting the muzzler now after going through the posts in our forum, thank you! New here. 2012 Odyssey EX-L. Similar to other posts, there is misfiring of cylinder 2 with the check engine light blinking which disappeared after replacing that one year old spark plug over 4 months ago (January 2023). There was no shaking or strong engine vibrations - just the misfiring, blinking engine light, slow acceleration accompanied by hesitation/misfiring engine. Symptoms showed up again recently with misfiring of number 2( May 20223). Replaced the 4 month old spark plug again and it is just as fouled and filled with gummed oil deposits just like one year old spark plug. I am quite concerned that oil level on dip stick is way below the minimum level with oil showing only at the tip of dipstick. Oil was replaced just about 4,000 miles ago.
Household hardware Auto part Nickel Metal Engineering
one yr old spark plug (left); 4 month old spark plug (right)

Does this mean the piston ring is shot like the dealership said?
Does that piston ring really need to be replaced?

Is it too late for the VCM muzzler at this point?
Any other options I can do at this point in addition to installing the muzzler?
More importantly, can we still use the car while the waiting for the muzzler to be shipped?

There is no noticeable smoke emanating from the exhaust that would have alerted me on the oil burning and abnormally higher oil consumption. The problem surfaced past the 10 year mark so I have missed the window of the extended 8 year warranty for piston ring replacement as awarded from the lawsuit.

Thank you for all your kind assistance! Your inputs are all very much appreciated!!
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Step up your "Planning on getting the muzzler " to ordered a muzzler. That muzzler will help a lot. Don't worry about if it's too late, it's not. Everything will improve. Been there and done that.
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Thanks! Actually just ordered one now. And did your vehicle also lost a lot of oil like mine does now?
Just curious if the abnormally high oil consumption I have is similar to that experienced by others before installing the muzzler. Worried if that level of oil burn off is the sign of physically damaged piston rings or scored cylinder walls. Fingers crossed. Wished I came across this forum sooner.
First, you're in the wrong forum.

Second, yes Muzzle the van.

Third, install spark plug extenders/non-foulers on the plugs that foul. Find them on Amazon or parts store.

Fourth, check your oil and keep it topped up to avoid future engine wear problems.
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Thanks! Actually just ordered one now. And did your vehicle also lost a lot of oil like mine does now?
Just curious if the abnormally high oil consumption I have is similar to that experienced by others before installing the muzzler. Worried if that level of oil burn off is the sign of physically damaged piston rings or scored cylinder walls. Fingers crossed. Wished I came across this forum sooner.
Yes, It's one of the symptoms of issues due to VCM. You might as well install a muzzler, change the spark plugs, watch your oil level frequently and add oil if needed.

It's very likely this would resolve the issue without a ring job, but even one is required, the muzzler and new plugs are things that would be required anyway. The problem would eventually come back if you don't muzzle VCM.
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Classic VCM signs. Disable VCM and replace the plugs, all the problems will go away in short order. This process can be accelerated by taking it on the highway with a lead foot.
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Third, install spark plug extenders/non-foulers on the plugs that foul. Find them on Amazon or parts store.
This shouldn't be needed after muzzling. And how does the coil attach and remain secure if you're putting the anti-fouler on the plug? :unsure:
Does this mean the piston ring is shot like the dealership said?
Does that piston ring really need to be replaced?
Probably not. The 'stealer'ship would just love to sell you a 'ring-job' which only treats the symptoms. Just like replacing the plugs treated your symptoms for about 4 months.
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First, you're in the wrong forum.

Second, yes Muzzle the van.

Third, install spark plug extenders/non-foulers on the plugs that foul. Find them on Amazon or parts store.

Fourth, check your oil and keep it topped up to avoid future engine wear problems.
Thanks! Sorry about the wrong forum. Will repost it there accordingly.
No need to repost, the VCM-Mega Thread that's in the 4th Gen section lives here in this section. Just post in that section for your next issue! :giggle:
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level of oil burn off is the sign of physically damaged piston rings or scored cylinder walls
No, VCM doesn't cause physical damage to either the rings or the cylinders. It just renders the rings unable to do their job of keeping oil out of the upper cylinder.
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Reposting here after erroneously posting this on >2005-2010 Odyssey. My apologies...

Planning on getting the muzzler now (edited: just ordered S-VCM same day as of this posting) after going through the posts in our forum, thank you! New here. 2012 Odyssey EX-L. Similar to other posts, there is misfiring of cylinder 2 with the check engine light blinking which disappeared after replacing that one year old spark plug over 4 months ago (January 2023). There was no shaking or strong engine vibrations - just the misfiring, blinking engine light, slow acceleration accompanied by hesitation/misfiring engine. Symptoms showed up again recently with misfiring of number 2( May 20223). Replaced the 4 month old spark plug again and it is just as fouled and filled with gummed oil deposits just like one year old spark plug. I am quite concerned that oil level on dip stick is way below the minimum level with oil showing only at the tip of dipstick. Oil was replaced just about 4,000 miles ago.

Household hardware Auto part Nickel Metal Engineering

one yr old spark plug (left); 4 month old spark plug (right)

Does this mean the piston ring is shot like the dealership said?
Does that piston ring really need to be replaced?

Is it too late for the VCM muzzler at this point?
Any other options I can do at this point in addition to installing the muzzler?
More importantly, can we still use the car while the waiting for the muzzler to be shipped?

There is no noticeable smoke emanating from the exhaust that would have alerted me on the oil burning and abnormally higher oil consumption. The problem surfaced past the 10 year mark so I have missed the window of the extended 8 year warranty for piston ring replacement as awarded from the lawsuit.

Thank you for all your kind assistance! Your inputs are all very much appreciated!!
See less See more
The answer you'd get here is the same as was answered in your original post! And answered by many of the same folks!
Get it muzzled and put in new plugs. Are you expecting your muzzler to arrive next year?!
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Change the spark plugs again and drive. Like beat the hell out of the van as much as you can without becoming a hazard on the road. That will get you by until the S-VCM Controller arrives. After that, you will be fine.

The rings aren't shot and they don't need to be replaced. Get the new spark plugs and get out of the dealership.
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No need to repost, the VCM-Mega Thread that's in the 4th Gen section lives here in this section. Just post in that section for your next issue! :giggle:
Sorry again. Saw your message after it got reposted. Tried to delete it there afterwards but was unable. Personal tech debt😅
The answer you'd get here is the same as was answered in your original post! And answered by many of the same folks!
Get it muzzled and put in new plugs. Are you expecting your muzzler to arrive next year?!
Sorry, got your other message there just after I reposted here. Tried to delete this one here but did not work. Personal tech debt here😅 S-VCM shld be arriving in over a week.
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@dvpatel should be able to merge the threads.
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@dvpatel should be able to merge the threads.
Fixed
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Question related to the OP of this thread to the experts here. For those who have waited > 10 yrs without muzzler while losing say a quart of oil per year out the exhaust - will the catalytics fully recover their environmental function or will they remain partially blinded?

DanaH
2014LX
Question related to the OP of this thread to the experts here. For those who have waited > 10 yrs without muzzler while losing say a quart of oil per year out the exhaust - will the catalytics fully recover their environmental function or will they remain partially blinded?

DanaH
2014LX
The catalytic converters won't recover the way the piston rings do. Once that oily exhaust goes into the catalytic converter, the converter actually does its job and keeps the extra contaminants from reaching the outside air at the exhaust tip. VCM reduces the lifespan of the catalytic converters by making them work harder dealing with oilier-than-expected exhaust than they normally should.

Engine mounts, intake tubes, and catalytic converters are permanently affected by VCM - once the damage is done, that's it. This is why we make such a big deal about disabling VCM as early as possible; it's a preventative step for those components. Only the piston rings (and spark plugs, if they're not too far gone and misfiring) are recoverable.
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