VCM? ... arg!

3712 Views 17 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Gav from London, 12 d ago

GoodGrief

Discussion Starter · 9 mo ago

I recently, acquired a 2013 EX-L 4WD 3.5 v6 with 69k mi. This Crosstour has been very, well, and regularly, maintained, and oil/filter changes regularly, done at approximately, 5k mi, by Honda dealership. . . . I came across Posts, here, concerning VCM. ... Well, this is unsettling.

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Packernan120203

· #2 · 9 mo ago

2013 and up V6s dont have to worry, the 2008-12 Accord V6 (sedan and automatic coupe), and the 2010-12 Crosstour are the only ones that have the J35Z2 engine, starting with 2013 there is a new V6 called the J35Y1, they fixed the issues concerning the VCM system with misfires, cylinder damage, and oil consumption. Especially since your car has been well maintained, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Reactions: 2

GoodGrief

Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 mo ago

Packernan120203 said:
2013 and up V6s dont have to worry, the 2008-12 Accord V6 (sedan and automatic coupe), and the 2010-12 Crosstour are the only ones that have the J35Z2 engine, starting with 2013 there is a new V6 called the J35Y1, they fixed the issues concerning the VCM system with misfires, cylinder damage, and oil consumption. Especially since your car has been well maintained, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

Packernan120203, Thank You. That information sure, is reassuring and comforting. ... and right, on time, too! I was re-visiting the "S-VCM" website this morning, and I was going to purchase one. .. I am planning and hoping for my, new, to me, 2013 Mountain Air Metallic EX-L Crosstour to last similar to my last Honda Accord, 2003 EX 2.4, 230k mi. .. My wife's 2014 Accord EX is now, at 96k. ... Thanks, again, Packerman120203 ... I sure, hope you are right.

Reactions: 1

GoodGrief

Discussion Starter · #4 · 9 mo ago

Packerman120203, your post/comment inspired me to Google, and I found this page/info, 3.5L J35A/J35Z/J35Y Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability, again, thank you.

Reactions: 1

mythirdhonda

· #5 · 9 mo ago (Edited)

I have a 2013 EX-V6 with about 103K miles and probably didn't need it, but I just had the VCM Tuner II installed and boy does my car ride better! I always had slight hesitation and even jerking in the transmission, particularly when pulling off from being stopped. I complained at the dealer and they did a service bulleting update a few years ago which helped for a while, then the issue returned. They told me to get 3 transmission flushes (NOT). None of that now. It rides super smooth. I do see a little decrease in gas mileage, but the super smooth ride more than makes up for it! Just another perspective.

By the way, I've seen several posts which mention how these tuners are pretty much a must. This is the first post I've seen that it didn't apply to my engine. Oh well, still glad I got it!

Reactions: 1

RAB

· #6 · 9 mo ago

Packernan120203 said:
2013 and up V6s dont have to worry, the 2008-12 Accord V6 (sedan and automatic coupe), and the 2010-12 Crosstour are the only ones that have the J35Z2 engine, starting with 2013 there is a new V6 called the J35Y1, they fixed the issues concerning the VCM system with misfires, cylinder damage, and oil consumption. Especially since your car has been well maintained, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.

I have. 2015 Odyssey and the dealership said the service bulletin applies to a fouled spark plug issue I experienced last year.. New set of plugs and SVCM and no further engine codes.

Reactions: 1

GoodGrief

Discussion Starter · #7 · 9 mo ago

mythirdhonda said:
I have a 2013 EX-V6 with about 103K miles and probably didn't need it, but I just had the VCM Tuner II installed and boy does my car ride better! I always had slight hesitation and even jerking in the transmission, particularly when pulling off from being stopped. I complained at the dealer and they did a service bulleting update a few years ago which helped for a while, then the issue returned. They told me to get 3 transmission flushes (NOT). None of that now. It rides super smooth. I do see a little decrease in gas mileage, but the super smooth ride more than makes up for it! Just another perspective.

By the way, I've seen several posts which mention how these tuners are pretty much a must. This is the first post I've seen that it didn't apply to my engine. Oh well, still glad I got it!

Thanks for your input. I wondered if you had read this article, mentioned in the above post: 3.5L J35A/J35Z/J35Y Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability .. I still, think about, [during VCM activation], the cylinder(s) that are not firing/using fuel, and the mention of cylinder lubrication, ring and cylinder wear, engine mounts and general, drive train stress/wear, which I read somewhere, around here or there, I believe, I think, ;-) . .. I look forward to asking, about VCM and controllers, at my Honda dealership, when I take the Crosstour in for an oil/filter change and a tire rotation, next week.

Packernan120203

· #8 · 9 mo ago

GoodGrief said:
Thanks for your input. I wondered if you had read this article, mentioned in the above post: 3.5L J35A/J35Z/J35Y Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability .. I still, think about, [during VCM activation], the cylinder(s) that are not firing/using fuel, and the mention of cylinder lubrication, ring and cylinder wear, engine mounts and general, drive train stress/wear, which I read somewhere, around here or there, I believe, I think, ;-) . .. I look forward to asking, about VCM and controllers, at my Honda dealership, when I take the Crosstour in for an oil/filter change and a tire rotation, next week.

The dealers will probably tell you its a bad idea to use them but ask a lot of people on here and most will say that the mild reduction in gas mileage is worth it for the safety of the engine long-term

Reactions: 1

Packernan120203

· #9 · 9 mo ago

RAB said:
I have. 2015 Odyssey and the dealership said the service bulletin applies to a fouled spark plug issue I experienced last year.. New set of plugs and SVCM and no further engine codes.

That is still a j35z engine, the z8 to be specific, and that engine ran, in the odyssey, from 2011 to 2017, and then after that they switched to the j35y6. Pretty much all of the J35Z engines with VCM had these issues its just the Accords and Crosstour switched to the newer engine design sooner than the pilots and odysseys.

Reactions: 1

GoodGrief

Discussion Starter · #10 · 9 mo ago

Packernan120203 said:
The dealers will probably tell you its a bad idea to use them but ask a lot of people on here and most will say that the mild reduction in gas mileage is worth it for the safety of the engine long-term

Do you use a VCM Controller/Tuner on your 2010 EX-L 4WD, (V6, I presume), ? ... I am leaning toward purchasing an 'S-VCM', the only, one that I have read/learned about, wanting to eliminate any un-necessary, stress and wear, looking toward longevity and reliability.

Packernan120203

· #11 · 9 mo ago

GoodGrief said:
Do you use a VCM Controller/Tuner on your 2010 EX-L 4WD, (V6, I presume), ? ... I am leaning toward purchasing an 'S-VCM', the only, one that I have read/learned about, wanting to eliminate any un-necessary, stress and wear, looking toward longevity and reliability.

I don't, mainly cause I don't have 100$ to spend on it right now, especially considering my timing belt went on mine and I haven't even had the car for exactly 100 days, wow, time flies.

Roc'n'Suze

· #12 · 9 mo ago

GoodGrief said:
I recently, acquired a 2013 EX-L 4WD 3.5 v6 with 69k mi. This Crosstour has been very, well, and regularly, maintained, and oil/filter changes regularly, done at approximately, 5k mi, by Honda dealership. . . . I came across Posts, here, concerning VCM. ... Well, this is unsettling.

Your 2013 is not known to have the VCM issue.

Reactions: 1

TeeJayEm

· #13 · 9 mo ago

Hi all, I am reading up on this as well since I recently got a 2011 CT. I read somewhere on here that Honda was able to reprogram the VCM in the older CT's to account for the reliability issues. I've reached out to a few dealers but haven't heard back on this yet and I'd love to know if anyone else has any info on this.

Thanks!

gthawk

· #14 · 9 mo ago

I am the original owner of a 2010 Crosstour. In 2017, my dealer did a torque converter software update, which presumably addressed this problem. I haven't had any VCM issues.

Travelor

· #15 · 9 mo ago

A Reminder to those who have a VCM bypass. Be aware In HOT climates where temps consistently reach 98F or higher there is a real risk of overheat. From what I understand the vehicles computer uses coolant temp as one of the base variables to disengage the cylinders. The bypass sends a temp reading that is hotter than is actually measured by the sensor. Those who use the VCM bypass that has no controls, the one I use, is more likely to be forgotten and also, in my case, a candidate for removal, due to some overheating codes triggered during this group of 100F+ days. I was under the impression the VCM bypass I installed had the circuitry to adjust based on the voltage coming from the coolant sensor. @ 250k Miles, a new sensor is a low cost and easy maintenance level part to swap. Gonna open up my VCM bypass to see if there is any indication of heat or other damage. I do plan to post my experience but wanted to just remind bypass users that running on an overdue coolant flush or worse an unmaintained coolant system. If you don't know if/when the last coolant flush was done and you have or are thinking of installing a VCM bypass - Do the coolant at the same time you install the bypass. And change it every 50k or whatever the factory recommends.

It's September 2022, ALREADY. just so you know.

Trav..

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Reactions: 2

cjsebes

· #16 · 8 mo ago

In 2013, I bought certified pre-owned 2010 Crosstour EX-L v6 with about 36k miles on it. About a year later, Honda perfored their VCM rings fix and updated the computer on their dime. I'm now at 214k miles with no VCM Muzzler and still very happy with the car. Honda DOES have a fix if you were lucky enough to have your CEL flash before the extended warranty was up or you ponied up for the repair.

At this point, my only real complaint is the axle vibrations at 70mph. I may buy the parts from Honda and have a reputable shop in town do the replacement.

ehamster81

· #17 · 2 mo ago

cjsebes said:
In 2013, I bought certified pre-owned 2010 Crosstour EX-L v6 with about 36k miles on it. About a year later, Honda perfored their VCM rings fix and updated the computer on their dime. I'm now at 214k miles with no VCM Muzzler and still very happy with the car. Honda DOES have a fix if you were lucky enough to have your CEL flash before the extended warranty was up or you ponied up for the repair.

At this point, my only real complaint is the axle vibrations at 70mph. I may buy the parts from Honda and have a reputable shop in town do the replacement.

I think I'm having the same slight but noticable/annoying vibration in my 2022 CT V6, no nav. 110k Miles. I mainly feel it under my gas pedal/foot and under my seat. Even at lower speeds around 40mph. Not sure where it's coming from, but my guess was also the axle. My wife hasn't driven it or mentioned any vibrations from the passengers seat... Yet. But I really want to get this fixed soon. I plan on taking it in to a Honda dealer or Honda specialist to see about that and that VCM issue we're all talking about here.

Gav from London

· #18 · 12 d ago

Hi All,

I'm totally new to Honda and keep reading about the VCM muzzler 2.

I have a 2010 CrossTour 3.5 V6 AWD with the eco system. The car has 197k miles and the one previous owner never overrode the eco system.
Q, would the general recommendation be to add a VCM muzzler or continue without?

I have just added 6 new spark plugs because 2 spark plugs were miss firing?

Much appreciate your advise in this.
Gav

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