[RossoRidgeline]

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.

 

[hANNAbONE]

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.

VCM IS NOT OUR FRIEND...SORRY YOU TOOK ONE FOR THE TEAM.

 

[hANNAbONE]

I would be fighting mad if this happened to me.

 

[BoulderBuster]

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.

 

[Techvet]

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.

 

[WhiteChick]

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

 

[njamesj]

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.

 

[BlueRidgeBlackEdition]

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.

 

[njamesj]

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.

 

[markk53]

Was this the video? They talk about piston ring issues.

As I mentioned in an earlier, I am very sorry this terrible thing happened to you.

Although I disagre that it's a common problem with the Ridgeline. In fact, it's the first I and more senior members here have ever heard of it.

If the situation actually was real I doubt Honda would be running the same setup for twenty years. Plus I'd think there'd be government action.

 

[Farther]

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.

 

[BoulderBuster]

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.

 

[14v6]

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

 

[FlyDex]

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.

And the first 2, and only, mods I performed on my 2022 RTL-E at 0 miles are "Idle Stop" and "VCM" disable. I'm not saying these designs are bad, but as a retired design engineer, I firmly believe that the foundational philosophy of ICE engines are NOT to shut down at every stop and/or disable a large portion of the engine internals going from a hot engine to a half-hot engine. But that just me.

 

[Tracker77]

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.

 

[RossoRidgeline]

And the first 2, and only, mods I performed on my 2022 RTL-E at 0 miles are "Idle Stop" and "VCM" disable. I'm not saying these designs are bad, but as a retired design engineer, I firmly believe that the foundational philosophy of ICE engines are NOT to shut down at every stop and/or disable a large portion of the engine internals going from a hot engine to a half-hot engine. But that just me.

Let’s go back to the old distributor and keep Skynet out of our engines. One command from AI and millions of vehicles will start misfiring and traffic will grid lock. Or just a targeted EMP from one of thousands of satellites.

My ICE stopped and started up to 50-100 times a day back in the 1980s. It was called being a delivery driver. Wish we had VCM and stop start back then. Think they have figured out the tech to keep these engines going to 200k. My poor engine needed a rebuild every 30k or so delivery driving in the city.

 

[ATL RL]

Let’s go back to the old distributor and keep Skynet out of our engines. One command from AI and millions of vehicles will start misfiring and traffic will grid lock. Or just a targeted EMP from one of thousands of satellites.

My ICE stopped and started up to 50-100 times a day back in the 1980s. It was called being a delivery driver. Wish we had VCM and stop start back then. Think they have figured out the tech to keep these engines going to 200k. My poor engine needed a rebuild every 30k or so delivery driving in the city.

Wow...what make/model/engine propelled you on deliveries?

 

[FlyDex]

Let’s go back to the old distributor and keep Skynet out of our engines. One command from AI and millions of vehicles will start misfiring and traffic will grid lock. Or just a targeted EMP from one of thousands of satellites.

My ICE stopped and started up to 50-100 times a day back in the 1980s. It was called being a delivery driver. Wish we had VCM and stop start back then. Think they have figured out the tech to keep these engines going to 200k. My poor engine needed a rebuild every 30k or so delivery driving in the city.

I'm not advocating old tech and you prove my point that the current tech of modern engines does not not require the issues of interrupting the ICE cycle for minimal, if any, gain. Sure, the state of engine design can minimize the issues of 'stop-start' and VCM but at what cost? Do you think the engineering to design for stop-start and VCM just just happens? The thermal and stress analysis is no small feat. Then to re-accomplish reliability and lifespan certification and having the supply chain to redesign components and update the parts lists is costly. And guess who the bill payer is?

 

[Emmojo]

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.

 

[njamesj]

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?