Honda pilot, faulty piston rings

[purple_angel.]

My 2023 Pilot 170k miles, I got it 2 years ago, about 8 months ago, it misfired with cylinder 1 code. Towed it to the dealer and the plug was coated with oil. They predicted a piston rings issue and changed the plug. They said it could happen again in about 10k miles and quoted $4000 to replace the rings. I have had to change this plug twice and both times #1 started to foul again. Now I'm left with a very noisy engine once I hit 40mph. Sounds like it could be the converter but I am not mechanically inclined. I've avoided driving while I try to figure out what I should do. Two oil changes with no oil loss reported. How likely is the loud noise to be a converter issue? If the converter is bad, is it worth putting on a disabler with a potential converter needed? The costs are way too high if I have to go through the dealer. Could a lower lever repair shop diagose the loud sound or should I go back to the dealer?

 

[MasterOfPuppets]

I don't think you need the rings replaced. Well, the rings are simply a scapegoat for the real problem lol. I've seen your problem before and people just replace the plugs, disable VCM, and do nothing else. All great after tht.

 

[MistyEyes]

That's one tough situation, man. the converter could be the noise but hard to say without actually hearing it. hope you can bring this to a local mechanic so they can tell you what's up.

and geez, seems like that quote is quite high.. just get a second opinion

 

[ChunkyBoy]

just get a second opinion

This! A second opinion from an independent mechanic.

 

[jamespilot]

$4000 on the rings? Bru thats mad.

 

[MasterOfPuppets]

$4000 on the rings? Bru thats mad.

people just can't skip the opportunity to get as much as $$$$ from people who need help

 

[RangerFluid4567]

That's a rip off for $4000. hope you already took this to a different mechanic. we're all invested here Update us!

 

[DrivenWisdom]

My 2023 Pilot 170k miles, I got it 2 years ago, about 8 months ago, it misfired with cylinder 1 code. Towed it to the dealer and the plug was coated with oil. They predicted a piston rings issue and changed the plug. They said it could happen again in about 10k miles and quoted $4000 to replace the rings. I have had to change this plug twice and both times #1 started to foul again. Now I'm left with a very noisy engine once I hit 40mph. Sounds like it could be the converter but I am not mechanically inclined. I've avoided driving while I try to figure out what I should do. Two oil changes with no oil loss reported. How likely is the loud noise to be a converter issue? If the converter is bad, is it worth putting on a disabler with a potential converter needed? The costs are way too high if I have to go through the dealer. Could a lower lever repair shop diagose the loud sound or should I go back to the dealer?

4K? bro just saw you as a weekly bonus lol. I hope you go to another mechanic

 

[GreenRipper420]

This! A second opinion from an independent mechanic.

for that price I'd go for a fifth opinion. To be fair, replacing the rings means a complete engine teardown, so most of that goes in labour, but it's still too much. Find an independent mechanic that works with Hondas and get a quote

 

[explorer84]

My 2023 Pilot 170k miles, I got it 2 years ago, about 8 months ago, it misfired with cylinder 1 code. Towed it to the dealer and the plug was coated with oil. They predicted a piston rings issue and changed the plug. They said it could happen again in about 10k miles and quoted $4000 to replace the rings. I have had to change this plug twice and both times #1 started to foul again. Now I'm left with a very noisy engine once I hit 40mph. Sounds like it could be the converter but I am not mechanically inclined. I've avoided driving while I try to figure out what I should do. Two oil changes with no oil loss reported. How likely is the loud noise to be a converter issue? If the converter is bad, is it worth putting on a disabler with a potential converter needed? The costs are way too high if I have to go through the dealer. Could a lower lever repair shop diagose the loud sound or should I go back to the dealer?

Just get a second opinion before messing things even more because even if you replace to converter and the piston ring problem is still not fixed it can clog the new converter. That's why you should go to the mechanic.

 

[NightFlight]

My 2023 Pilot 170k miles, I got it 2 years ago, about 8 months ago, it misfired with cylinder 1 code. Towed it to the dealer and the plug was coated with oil. They predicted a piston rings issue and changed the plug. They said it could happen again in about 10k miles and quoted $4000 to replace the rings. I have had to change this plug twice and both times #1 started to foul again. Now I'm left with a very noisy engine once I hit 40mph. Sounds like it could be the converter but I am not mechanically inclined. I've avoided driving while I try to figure out what I should do. Two oil changes with no oil loss reported. How likely is the loud noise to be a converter issue? If the converter is bad, is it worth putting on a disabler with a potential converter needed? The costs are way too high if I have to go through the dealer. Could a lower lever repair shop diagose the loud sound or should I go back to the dealer?

Man, that sounds like a classic pilot ring problem combined with noise from a potential torque converter. A converter is a wise choice if it is growling or rumbling at about 40 mph. Cat usually throws a code or smells off when it's bad. A decent independent shop can diagnose it for a lot less money, so I would avoid the dealer. Additionally, if you haven't already, get a VCM disabler, it will help slow down the ring issue.