I hope they gave you a loaner.

 

Yes they did, but I declined. I already have too many vehicles here.

 

I started the motor to take it to the dealership, and the dash lights lit up like a Christmas tree, I mean every system check light was on. I was able to limp to the dealership just a few miles away, lights flashing, not shifting gears and misfiring.

Long story short, dealer called me to tell me that the computer picked up numerous misfires , and the master mechanic found oil in the spark plugs.

Did you open the hood and check fluid levels before driving to the dealer? If you had it may have been better to have the dealer tow it in...but then it is under warranty and you may as well create a brick under the hood.

 

Oh Man!!!

That is really bad news.

It also seems to be an extremely rare occurrence.

Sorry your shiny new truck blew an engine.....not what anyone would expect.

Yes, please keep us updated.

 

IMO, it's all about honoring the warranty the least expensive way possible and folks pushing paperwork through Honda. Some are going to be slower than others. Sorry you have to deal with this.

 

@Emmojo

Sorry this has happened to you. It is a very rare thing, at least from what I've read on this site over the last year or so. In fact, I can't recall ever having read anything remotely like your issue here.

Please keep us updated. Good luck.

 

Sorry to hear that. Good luck and please share the outcome with us.

 

I see the oldest member of the ROC has posted!!

Member #3

 

Any symptom or signs previously that you noticed?
Yes, keep us posted please.

 

Perfect opportunity to upgrade it to a 25 model.

 

Yikes. Hope they take care of you and fix it for free.

 

I heard from the dealership today. The way they describe it, is bad piston rings. They have ordered new parts, to basically rebuild the motor. I suggest you do some research as I did on Honda Ridgeline piston ring problems. I did this and a YouTube video came up explaining all about this problem. Unfortunately this is not an uncommon problem with the Ridgeline. In essence the VCM system shuts down a bank of cylinders to help save fuel which causes the resting pistons to form carbon that leads to excessive oil consumption, and leaky gaskets. I am not a mechanic, but what I do know is I will be selling this truck back to the dealer. I will keep everyone posted as I hear from Honda, but please do some research on your own.

I have owned 19 Hondas through the years, and this is the first one that I have ever owned that required anything being done to repair an engine, disappointed isn't the word for it, scammed is.

 

I did this and a YouTube video came up explaining all about this problem.

Thank you for reporting back. I hope the result pleases you. Do you have a link to that YouTube that you can share on this Forum. This is a problem that has not been reported previously and we are all interested in the feedback.

 

VCM and 5000 miles did not cause the failure.

The engine had some sort of internal defect....a pretty substantial one.

...and once the metal to metal parts start tearing each other up, things quickly go downhill.

I am sorry your engine blew up....it is upsetting and inconvenient

I would push for them to "give you" Honda Care for 100K miles.....that way you can drive it and get some value out of it.

Getting rid of it in the next couple of weeks will mean a big depreciation hit.

This whole thing sucks.

Keep us updated......I think this is the first report of this nature that we have seen........not even 30k, 60k, 90k, or 120k (and above) vehicles have reported piston/ring/cylinder wall issues.

 

I agree that most likely that the engine had some defect that contributed/caused the failure and it was not related to VCM.

Curious to learn more how VCM works -- I had some idea but I wanted to confirm -- I did a bit a of research and found this:

Variable Cylinder Management - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It does offer some detail on how VCM works: Valves of certain cylinders are made inoperable and left in the closed position.

But it also covers VCM issues at least with earlier Honda engines.

 

Last words of the video..."your experience might be different"

 

It came across as a very typical YT video that was out to discredit a competitor, in this case the Ridgeline. In summary, the video is a total load of poorly made BS.

 

As far as I know, piston rings have not been an issue with the Earth Dreams V6. This engine in Honda trim has been around since the 2016 Pilot and I think a year or two earlier with the Acura MDX. VCM was revised as well as new rings for the Earth Dreams V6. Yes, we've all heard about the fiasco with the Pilots and the warranty extensions for misfires likely caused by the prior version of VCM but that's all in the past. Even the beloved 2.4 had a rash of ring failures, not sure what the reason was but I doubt it was design related. It the mechanic's assessment is correct with the OP's case it will be interesting to see if it's a one off or a pattern.

 

VCM has been around and demonized for about 20 years. First generation there were some real issues especially in GMs. But I have also looked at used GMs from 2007 or so well past 100k with 4/8 cylinder deactivation still chugging away. Owned one with 160k miles for about a year and no engine issues.

This seems like a bad build from the start. Assembly/install process got a part or two slightly out of spec. It happens for all brands and it sucks. Glad power train warranties have increased from one year when I started driving in the 1970s to 5 plus years these days.

 

I would be fighting mad if this happened to me.

 

I am sorry to hear of your experience and I agree with others that this was most likely a manufacturing issue. Sounds like Honda is trying to make it right, but like you I’d probably flip this truck quickly. Hopefully the dealer would work with you on a good trade. If not you could drive it for a couple of years then flip it The problem is that the engine history will forever follow it in Honda’s system, which could be a black eye to some, but you could sell it somewhere like CarMax to get away from that.

 

Man, I'd be asking for a factory crate motor instead of having a dealer rebuild it.

 

I would demand a new truck. Even a new crate motor requires extensive work by the dealer to prepare for use. Crate motor would be reluctant alternative with the longest Honda Care Warranty for free.

 

I know the OP @Emmojo said they plan to sell the truck back to the dealer. Hopefully the dealer will give them a good deal, taking account of what has happened etc.

 

The "deal" will come from Honda with the dealer as an influential advocate.

 

I don't think you are getting the whole story from your dealer. To my knowledge, Honda doesn't typically have the dealers rebuild any major engine or transmission component. I would think Honda would want the complete engine back to do a full diagnosis.

 

Righto.

My experience with other brands of cars is when there is a serious engine issue it is rare the engine is repaired at the dealer. (I only know of one time and I believe the window for how long the factory supported this action was very narrow.)

The SOP is to pull the engine and install a new or possibly a used but a factory rebuilt engine. The old engine goes back to the factory in the same packaging the new engine came in.

The engine goes back for an autopsy and possibly is deemed suitable for a rebuild and then held in reserve in case another engine needs replacement.

 

OP, for some closure, could you post the repair invoice with the diagnosis and parts list.

 

I will do that once I get the vehicle back.

 

Thinking 3 thoughts.

1. Turn off the Eco/Green mode. Haven't noticed more than a 1/10th of a diff in gas mileage.
2. Drive to avoid VCM - drive it like you stole it.
3. Use only fully syn oil to avoid carbon build up.

 

The truck only had 6,000 miles, and wasn't due for an oil change. I never used the ECO/Green mode.

 

Well my Ridgeline has been at the Honda Dealer now for over a month, and no updates other than parts were ordered and taking longer due to labor shortage. I have retained a Lemon Law attorney, and a buy back is what we are demanding, more to come.

 

What is the nature of the problem you had before taking it in to the shop?

 

Lemon laws do not usually apply to these types of situations. It generally requires at least the attempt to provide a fix which is unsuccessful for at least 3x before it can be invoked.

 

Sometimes just securing an attorney to send a treatening letter will get things done. I've done that twice in two different occasions. It worked both times.

 

So what's going on with this? 4 weeks have gone by. No new motor yet?

 

inquiring minds want to know...so whats the verdict..?

 

so.......what's the verdict..!!!???!!??