To Burn, or Not to Burn, Honda Engine VCM

# To Burn, or Not to Burn (Oil vs. Fuel), Honda Engine VCM

Honda V6 Engine with VCM (Variable Cylinder Management)
shown in the 2010 Odyssey Ex-L

## Problem

* Honda V6 (J35A7) burns oil, at least 1 quart every 1500 miles

## Reason

* VCM (Variable Cylinder Management) is the likely culprit
* VCM shuts off some of the cylinders to consume LESS FUEL, which is good in this time of high gas prices
* HOWEVER, it creates imbalances and vacuums in the engine with likely problems such as:
1. Engine and mount wear (and noise/failure over time)
2. OIL BURNING, bad for the engine, cat converter (costly), and the environment
3. It can ruin the engine if the oil level goes too low
* You can disable VCM by adding a muzzler (resistor) to the coolant temperature sensor:
* VCM is only turned on after the engine is WARMED up (at a certain coolant temperature)
* Added resistor increases sensor OHM and signals a temperature below the desired condition for VCM, which will not get turned on

## Supplies

1. Honda VCM Muzzler / DIPressor
2. OR, if you can make a resistor of varying 82-100 ohm, that may work as well.

Here is the one I purchased on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265031739235

## Tools

Optional:
1. An OBD II Scanner to clear code, in case it appears

## Steps

1. Engine OFF
2. Pop the hood
3. Remove the engine cover
4. Remove the coolant temperature sensor
5. Chain the muzzler with sensor: sensor harness to muzzler to sensor connector on the engine block
6. Start with the lower DIP or ohm setting, e.g. at 82 ohms.
7. Test the car to see if ECO mode appears in any driving condition.
8. Adjust/increase ohm if necessary and test drive again, until VCM no longer returns.

Here are my DIP settings in Pennsylvania USA:
1. 82 ohms in the Winter
2. 92 ohms in the Summer

## Results

1. ECO never comes back with the above settings.
2. I no longer need to add oil between oil changes.

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Be safe, stay dirty. Enjoy the work!

God bless!