'01 Odyssey with 360K vs '04 with 150K

Question

2001 Honda Odyssey I'd like advice on whether or not to gamble trying to fix my '01 Odyssey with 360,000 miles on it.  I built it out into a camper van that I am living in, currently parked in a shed :( .  The check engine light would periodically come on over the years and so I put SeaFoam in it with almost every fill up, especially if I did not fill up at Chevron.  The van has never overheated.  I changed the oil every 3,000 miles.  I changed the transmission fluid every 25,000 miles. Recently the check engine light came on and would not go off with SeaFoam, and I have emissions testing for registration which was due.  The symptoms are that it would sometimes run rough or die right after I started it when it was warm during in-town errands.  The oil dip stick doesn't look cloudy.  The day that the light came on, was mid-trip going to Nor-Cal from Portland, OR.  The engine sounded and performed as usual.  Another issue is that I've been chasing some slow oil drips.  Supposedly, there is a leak by the timing belt. Codes:    P0505 - Idle Speed Control System P0420 - Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) P0430 - Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected P0304 - Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected P0401 - EGR System Insufficient Flow Detected Firestone Complete Auto Care said it failed a block test and to replace the head gasket and catalytic converter. The Honda dealer said the funnel in the radiator bubbled constantly, indicating the head gasket needs replacing.  They also said to replace the catalytic converter, the EGR valve plus port cleaning, and other possible repairs due to the throttle body P0505. I don't have any info to say whether it's a candidate for a sealant trial. Other details: A/C does not work Tires almost done Transmission was rebuilt around 150,000 Previous owner was a mechanic Fabric interior.  Not fancy. Tailgate won't latch.  Cleaning and lubricating it fixed it for only a day. Bad rear door actuator 2004 Honda Odyssey Since I needed transportation, I bought an '04 Odyssey with 150,000 on it.  I've been driving it now for 4 weeks.  I had an inspection at Firestone Complete Auto Care, and everything passed except the wiper blades.  To me, it sounds like there is an issue with the front-end, maybe steering, an inconsistent crunch/knock.  I paid $2,000 for it.  It had a horrible mold smell when I bought it. Other details: Little to no maintenance records Catalytic converter was stolen and replaced, and it sounds rattly, like a truck inside the van.  No check engine light. :) A/C works Leather interior Tailgate latches inconsistently Bad rear door actuator or lock Bad rear door middle roller Nearly new tires I fixed the mold smell by removing the moldy leather panels under the vent windows. My Question Do I scrap the '01 or start with servicing the EGR system and go from there?  I've got a nice Crescent set, but I'm not too experienced.  I've watched videos on the EGR valve replacement and port cleaning, which I might be able to do on my own.  My known good mechanic is 2 hours away. The '04 seems too nice to do a radical alteration into a camper van.  Plus, I'm concerned, not knowing how the transmission was cared for.  I've been out of work for a while and having some health issues.  Without a mold smell, I thought I might try to sell the '04, asking more than I paid for it. If I wasn't sentimentally attached to the '01, it seems like a no-brainer.  Plus, I'm just curious how many miles it could go!  360,000!  That's pretty awesome! Thanks for your comments and advice! -Bekah Tigard, OR

Chuck Tobias · Answer

The '01 Odyssey has clearly had it, though you are making a mistake going to a dealer and to Firestone. However at that age and mileage it would be no surprise if the head gasket, and more, were shot. You have to know when to let go. (I drive a car even older that has over 370,000 miles but would scrap it in a heartbeat if it developed serious problems that I could not repair myself.) Also, "fixing" a check engine light with Seafoam (a poor product for use in car engines) rather than pulling the code(s) and diagnosing the actual problem is not very good approach.

Other than having lower mileage and being a few years newer the '04 doesn't sound like much of a peach either. Once again, I would not trust a chain shop like Firestone for anything. At least if the thing does not have a serious engine condition it might be a better bet, but that front end needs to be sorted out and the transmission checked out. You're not likely to find anything better in that price range though, so unless you can get considerably more for it than the $2K you paid that might be the one to go with. You would need to carefully evaluate the transmission condition though, it is a common failure point on those vehicles and even more expensive to repair than a head gasket.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Odyssey/2004/