Hi, my 2012 honda pilot has 208,000 miles on it. I am getting lots of warning lights back to back. It's been in the shop 4 times in 6months, ugh! The car had a fuel cap warning/dead battery/shuddering/misfire cylinder 1/engine light-serviced-oil changed/fluids...etc.(October 2022) I have gotten an oxygen sensor warning 1 time... back when the original cylinder 1 misfire. Engine light came back on/car shuddering -I was told cylinder1(spark plug fouled out)/cylinder 3 had also misfired. I had all of the spark plugs replaced/oil changed in January 2023. Engine light on again, code was for the catalytic converter--took in they cleared the code --changed the oil-- said the spark plug was fine. They said I could run it for a while with the catalytic converter(March 2023) not working properly... skip ahead the engine light is back on(2weeks later) and I have not taken it in for diagnostics, yet. The fuel cap warning has been intermittently going on and on the last 6mths. I guess my question is, can/should I continue to keep taking this thing in --they are saying it basically needs new engine. Is there anything I can do cheaper to keep this car on the road. Is it a lost cause. I had wanted to give this car to my 16yo son and get something new/used for me. The car market is rough out there and sharing a car with a 16yo is the pits.
I appreciate in advance good advice. {black}:pray:
Has a compression and/or leakdown test been done to verify the internal condition of the engine? Obviously you also need to scan for the codes causing the check engine light to turn on.
I will call and ask them. Thank you.
Hi, I bought a scan tool. The code was P0420 x's 2.
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Did not speak with the auto shop today...will call tomorrow about leakdown test or compression test.
Unless clogged a bad cat would not cause the car to run poorly, but another condition causing that code could be.
Thank you so much for responding ---should I do the lacquer thinner 1gallon to 1/2 tank of gas to try and clean it.... or wait and find out if they did a leakdown/compression test?? Any suggestions? The car is currently not shuddering.
I would hold off on that, lacquer thinner is hard on fuel system components, you don't want to do that unless you have to. Do the compression test, maybe check the cat for excess back pressure. There are conditions other than a bad catalyst that can cause P0420:
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0420.html#causes
Thank you!
They have not done a compression test. He said the engine obviously has compression and to do a leakdown test would just be them charging me money for something they already know. The engine is dying fast.
I completely understand if you grow weary of this conversation... just don't want to throw away a car ...that might be salvageable for my 16yo son to drive!!
Below are invoices of services rendered as well links to the vehicle report from the diagnostic scans. My apologies for the mundane info below--there is some useful stuff as well.
I would appreciate if you could take a look and advise what to do next.....
OCT 4 2022 : https://app.autoserve1.com/report/ykFLAhzi2xQire93a (<link to diagnostic codes)
Invoice:
Driveability Concern
Cel is on and there are a few others that came on as well. Idle is all over the place. stopped restart and put in gear and went right
back to idling rough.
Inspection
[atc] Peace of Mind Vehicle Inspection - AS1
Perform courtesy vehicle health inspection $0.00
Sub $0.00
Driveability Testing & Analysis - AS1
** Gather Data / Verify Concern **
- Start the vehicle and record any lights that are illuminated.
- Scan all applicable modules and document any DTC’s
present to determine what systems are at fault and/or
possibly related to the customer's concern. (Pre-Scan)
- Perform a visual inspection.
- Test drive the vehicle.
** Analyze the Issue **
- Use all available resources to investigate Theory &
Operation of the system in question, DTC descriptions,
TSB’s, Recalls, Pattern Failures, etc
** Isolate the Cause **
- Use sound reasoning techniques and all available
equipment and/or tools to perform pinpoint testing to
VERIFY the cause of the issue.
Service
Spark Plug(s)
Remove & Replace Spark Plugs $153.77 *
NGK Laser Irid. Plug 1 EA NGK 6 Unit $212.58 *S
Sub $366.35
Ignition Coil Assembly
Remove & Replace ignition coil on cylinder #: 1 $0.00 *
Ignition Coil 1 EA NGK 1 Unit $109.24 *S
Sub $109.24
Lube, Oil & Filter Service (LOF)
Perform Engine Oil & Filter Service $27.99 *
0w-20 Premium / Dexos FULL SYNTHETIC Engine Oil 4.5 Unit $23.85 S
Oil Filter 1 Unit
Please Note
Changing your engine oil according to manufacturers suggested intervals will minimize the potential risk associated with engine
failure due to sludge accumulation.
[atc] Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid Service
Install ATX-3 transmission fluid machine and perform
transmission fluid exchange
Premium GLOBAL MV Full Synthetic Auto Trans Fluid (ATF) 9 Unit *S
BG - Automatic Transmission Conditioner (ATC+) 1 Unit
[atc]'s Premium Automatic Transmission Fluid Service with full synthetic ATF prevents deposit formation, restores performance, and
prolongs the life of your transmission.
JAN21 2023: https://app.autoserve1.com/report/crwhRQRrp88J8rcyA (<link to diagnostic codes)
Invoice:
Driveability Concern
Still running rough like last time she brought it in. Started running rough on Sat. Got gas night before and drove abt 10 miles before issue started.
Inspection
Driveability Testing & Analysis - AS1
** Gather Data / Verify Concern **
- Start the vehicle and record any lights that are illuminated.
- Scan all applicable modules and document any DTC’s
present to determine what systems are at fault and/or
possibly related to the customer's concern. (Pre-Scan)
- Perform a visual inspection.
- Test drive the vehicle.
** Analyze the Issue **
- Use all available resources to investigate Theory &
Operation of the system in question, DTC descriptions,
TSB’s, Recalls, Pattern Failures, etc
** Isolate the Cause **
- Use sound reasoning techniques and all available
equipment and/or tools to perform pinpoint testing to
VERIFY the cause of the issue.
Service
Spark Plug(s)
Remove & Replace Spark Plugs $79.11 *
Spark Plug - Iridium IX 1 Unit $14.08 *S
Sub $93.19
Lube, Oil & Filter Service (LOF)
Perform Engine Oil & Filter Service $28.23 *
0w-20 Premium / Dexos FULL SYNTHETIC Engine Oil 4.5 Unit $23.85 S
Oil Filter 1 Unit
Please Note
Changing your engine oil according to manufacturers suggested intervals will minimize the potential risk associated with engine
failure due to sludge accumulation.
MAR 13 2023 --they called me on the phone and told me it was the P0420 code and they cleared the codes and changed the oil
Driveability Concern
Customwer stated the vehicle has a cel on. Customer stated she had to add oil and check the spark plug but was not able to get to
checking the spark plug. She would like us to scan the code and if it has to with the low oil just clear it and if it has to do with the
spark plug from the last visit wants to know if we can clean it instead of having to replace it.
Inspection
[atc] Peace of Mind Vehicle Inspection - AS1
Perform courtesy vehicle health inspection $0.00
Sub $0.00
Driveability Testing & Analysis - AS1
** Gather Data / Verify Concern **
- Start the vehicle and record any lights that are illuminated.
- Scan all applicable modules and document any DTC’s
present to determine what systems are at fault and/or
possibly related to the customer's concern. (Pre-Scan)
- Perform a visual inspection.
- Test drive the vehicle.
** Analyze the Issue **
- Use all available resources to investigate Theory &
Operation of the system in question, DTC descriptions,
TSB’s, Recalls, Pattern Failures, etc
** Isolate the Cause **
- Use sound reasoning techniques and all available
equipment and/or tools to perform pinpoint testing to
VERIFY the cause of the issue.
Service
Lube, Oil & Filter Service (LOF)
Perform Engine Oil & Filter Service $28.23 *
0w-20 Premium / Dexos FULL SYNTHETIC Engine Oil 4.5 Unit $23.85 S
Oil Filter 1 Unit $5.83 S
Sub $57.91
Please Note
Changing your engine oil according to manufacturers suggested intervals will minimize the potential risk associated with engine failure due to sludge accumulation.
As you now... I scanned the car yesterday and got 2 more P0420 codes. I also bought a gasket/rubber ring for my gas cap and replaced that yesterday!
"Obviously has compression" - well maybe, but what if compression is present but low on one or more cylinders? At the least, a scan tool could be used to do a comparative compression test to see if all cylinders are close to each other. I don't think you mentioned who "they" are. What kind of shop are you dealing with? Dealer, chain, independent? That laundry list looks like a whole lot of who shot John with a well-loaded parts cannon.
It has the look of a chain, and the company has 2 locations in this area.. bio says local, independently owned. It seemed like the guy was aggravated with my questions, seemed like he was saying quit beating a dead horse already. Give up... you can't fix this. I will look for somewhere else to take it. Get the compression/leakdown test done. I'm so frustrated... should I maybe change out the PCV any suggestions 🤔. Thanks again for looking.
I would establish a baseline of engine condition with a compression test. If compression is low on some cylinders then you know you're beating a dead horse.
Gotcha. 👍🤞
Thanks again.
Just a wild guess: either bad fuel injector or bad piston rings.
Thank you for the feedback... from looking up what a leakdown test is ...that would indicate if it's the piston rings...correct?? If it is the piston rings ...then it's a lost cause?? Meaning gobs of money and difficult to find someone to do it as well. Also, how do you test the fuel injector??