My son was driving down I71 in Ohio when the engine began chugging and became undriveable. Turns out it was the VCM issue, plugs 1 and 6 fouled. Appears the VCM system turns off several pistons when cruising which can cause the rings to leak over time and be damaged. Prior models of the Odyssey were part of a settlement over the issue, but not the 2016 generation. Anyone else have this issue? So far Honda is washing its hands of this.

 

Is the engine toast?
What is the actual problem? Has it been looked at? What did they say?

 

Independent mechanic changed out the #6 plug, fouled by oil. Can happen again any time. put in Techron additive to free up the rings, might work. There is a kit you can buy to disable the VCM system so the two cylinders never stop firing. If the rings for #6 do not free up, then will need a ring job, over $3k. #1 cylinder could do this also. Honda wrote back saying they do not have a service bulletin, nothing they will do.

 

I would pull the plugs and pour about 2oz of GM top engine cleaner into each cylinder replace the plugs. This stuff does a good job on rings. After at least 10 hours of soak time start it up and allow an hour of drive time to clear and see what it does.