[JettDreams]

Hi everyone, Just picked up a 2008 Ridgeline RTS.
Have a few questions or rather concerns regarding the truck.....just wondering if these things ive noticed are normal or not?

- 100k miles(but not sure if its has the original motor because motor has some large yellow letters and numbers hand written on it under the engine cover...maybe junk yard motor?). Guy I bought it from never mentioned it being swapped.
- Has fresh transmission fluid
- Newer spark plugs....i was told
- Timing belt just done...I was told
- transfer case gear oil changed

NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ON

1.) When its in the Park Position it has what feels like a rumble or slight misfire at idle cold or warmed up. Can feel it rumble/shake slightly throughout the steering wheel/car itself. The idle DOES NOT fluctuate at all. Its not super bad but definitely not a normal smooth idle like everyother car ive ever owned. Its only really noticeable when its in park position. In Drive at a dead stop I DONT feel it rumble and if in neutral it can be felt but much less vs in Park. Have no idea if this is a common issue on these or where to start diagnosing? Ive tried the "idle learn procedure" already but no change. Idles at about 850 rpm and revs through the rpm range smooth as butter otherwise. Very puzzling and annoying at same time.

2. This truck has like ZERO BALLS/power between 60-80 mph. Anyone else notice that on theirs? Its been sort of a chore for me keeping it between 60-80 let alone smoothly climbing from 60-80 mph when I want to increase speed in that range with my foot(without it kicking down a gear). When I am using cruise control and want it to stay at 70 mph ..... even the slightest incline makes the transmission kick down a gear raising the rpm obviously ..... over and over and over. Seems like the transmission is always kicking down to 4th gear from 5th gear. seems like lots of wear on the trans or is this common? Should I be alarmed? My old v6 lexus rx330 transmission was nothing like this truck.

3. Have a intermediate shaking that comes and goes between 65-75mph. I had walmart do a wheel balance on the front 2 tires already and it made it not shake as bad but still does shake sometimes....not always which is weird. Maybe the kids at walmart didnt balance them right. having them do it again.

4. Have what seems like a knocking/clicking noise every so often from what I think is the power steering pump. I have been sucking out and replacing the PS fluid with new honda fluid and seems to make the noises less now.

Otherwise I love the tuck and hope it lasts with no major problems. knock on wood.

Any insight is much appreciated.

 

[eurban]

Consider getting a valve adjustment. It may help with the idle shake and will help to ensure the engine is at optimal performance. Engine mounts are also another possibility for the shake.

"No guts" at highway speed is pretty much the nature of the beast. You really need to mash the throttle to get the truck moving on the highway. Among other things, the brick like aerodynamic quality of the Ridge is working against you at higher speeds. They did some tweaks in 09 (slightly larger engine displacement, transmission programming tweaks, among other things) that probably helped a little.

When exactly do you hear your knocking and clicking? I would doubt it is the steering rack. Sway bar bushings & endlinks, struts, and CV joints are all possibilities.

 

[JettDreams]

That rumble at idle in Park is common if Valve adjustment is needed? How much should a valve adjustment typically cost?

 

[rollinhonda]

That rumble at idle in Park is common if Valve adjustment is needed? How much should a valve adjustment typically cost?

The biggest danger of waiting too long to do a valve adjustment is having valves too tight. This can not be easily determined by how the truck idles (if at all).

 

[rollinhonda]

They did some tweaks in 09 (slightly larger engine displacement, transmission programming tweaks, among other things) that probably helped a little.

Some gear ratio changes, redesigned intake manifold, new camshafts and larger intake valves. (Actually Honda claims 50 changes in 2009, but those are probably the most significant.) But it is still a brick, if only a nice one.
No change in engine displacement.

 

[chiph]

Newer spark plugs....i was told
- Timing belt just done...I was told

No receipts means no proof it was done. Check with the dealer - if the timing belt was done at a Honda facility there will be records in the computer.

So far as transmission downshifting a lot - yes, it does that. Honda motors don't really have much torque, and they're happy at high rpms, so the truck will do that.

You can help out the MPGs by not using the cruise control on rolling hills -- if you anticipate the hill and gradually build up some speed early, you'll get better mileage than letting the cruise react once the hill becomes steep.

Chip H.

 

[IanRTL]

As far as the power at higher speeds, there isn't a whole lot you can do, but using premium fuel will help. You'll get a little extra oomph and the tranny won't shift quite as much. This truck isn't going to be able to give you the torque of a full size with a V8, but the aerodynamics are similar.


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[Bogus919]

What part of Illinois? If you are close to me I can come take a look at it.

 

[speedlever]

I agree with the others that you would likely benefit from a valve adjustment. And your idle is too high too.

Hope you are close enough to Bogus919. He knows his stuff. I'd like to import him to help me do a valve adjustment on both my J35-A9 motors.