Melted Ignition Coil

[George]

I have a 2004 Honda Pilot, 5.5 years old, 65K miles. My mechanic tells me that the front center spark plug loostened and plug ignition coil melted from blowback allowing debris from those parts to enter the piston. The top of the piston is all banged up, and the cylinder walls are scored, he showed me. He says if I want to patch it put in a new coil and piston, then sell it. If I plan on keeping it, get a new motor. I read one or 2 other things where people have had the same issue, are there more? Has anyone gone after Honda to cover this? Needing a new motor 6 months after the warranty is expired seems excessive. The local dealer was useless.

[rocky]

In 30 years of messin with motors I've never heard of a spark plug getting loose on its own. Did you have someone change the plugs? I think they messed up.

In fact this entire story has me suspicious of the mechanic.

[jl_ss]

Originally Posted by rocky

In 30 years of messin with motors I've never heard of a spark plug getting loose on its own. Did you have someone change the plugs? I think they messed up.

In fact this entire story has me suspicious of the mechanic.

Gotta agree. This problem has not been a "known issue" with the Pilot. Also the 2004 Pilot came with a 3yr/36K warranty - it's been out of factory warranty for longer than 6 months.

[carguy07]

Looks pretty rare but can happen. Melted coil pack and broken spark plug!!

[brandon mitchel]

Never heard this problem before. Im a pilot owner for quite some time now but I havent dealt with this kind of problem. Im not saying that this was impossible but its just rare.

[obrien040362]

George

I have the same problem 6 years old/86,000 miles igition coil broken, spark plug siezed in the head, recommended new engine by dealership.

What did you do?

Did you get "good will" from Honda?

[rocky]

There is no need to mess with the plugs until 105k.

So what did the plug look like?

[obrien040362]

Do know since I had it a a Honda Dealership

Described by the Honda Dealership as:

Ignition Coil Head melted in half, can't get plug off since recessed 4" and Ignition coil in the way. Also plug described as "welded" or "fused" to the head. It was Cylinder #5.

They are original plugs and i realize they were good for 105K.

[rocky]

I think you are very unfortunate. I swear this is the first time I've heard this happening.

Just be glad you don't have a VW or Audi. Owners of those vehicles suffer from regular coil failures.....

[whizmo]

A coil melting and making a mess of the spark plug recess sounds rare but possible. I'd bet a good/creative mechanic could take off the front end of the car (bumper, radiator, etc.) to gain sufficient access to get the remnants of the coil pack out of there so the plug could be removed and replaced. Worst case, you might have to pull the head so it could be reconditioned or replaced, but I'm not groking the "replace engine" recommendation.

To the OP, I'd be skeptical of any significant piston damage unless the engine had been run a long time with the plug loose. What did your mechanic "show you"? I've seen engines run for thousands of miles with loose plugs and never seen any significant piston or valve damage. Again, I'd look for someone who wanted to take a shot at getting the coil pack removed and a new plug put in; I'd try this and see how it goes. If the engine doesn't recover with this, then pull the head and find out what is going on. Again, "engine replacement" sounds way radical. And regardless of mileage or warranty status, get Honda involved if the plugs/coils haven't been messed with since the car was new.

In both cases, I'd look for a good independent mechanic rather than the bozos at the dealership who sound like they are too busy doing $1K 60K inspections and knee-jerk replacement of expensive parts to be bothered doing a decent diagnosis and creative repair.

- Mark

[Hondophile]

Last wk, driving 2005 Pilot with 69k miles about 50 mph. Nothing special. All maintenance done at dlr including $900 for 60K service. Heard an explosion under the hood, lots of metallic clanking. Immediately pulled over and spark plug/ignition coil on front of engine had blown out and was dangling by a wire. Hole into engine block. Just had checked at dlr and he confirmed problem. Needs to disassemble engine, inspect block, may be damaged. On the plus side, it is under warranty. But seriously, still stranded 100 mi from home in a lightly used HONDA. Still have to go for wks without a car and pay $100 deductible. Not good press for my beloved pilot.

[archie]

Hope this does not become a habit with Honda.
A similar issue at:
"Anyone ever hear of spark plugs backing out? "

Anyone ever hear of spark plugs backing out?

[rocky]

Originally Posted by Hondophile

Last wk, driving 2005 Pilot with 69k miles about 50 mph. Nothing special. All maintenance done at dlr including $900 for 60K service. Heard an explosion under the hood, lots of metallic clanking. Immediately pulled over and spark plug/ignition coil on front of engine had blown out and was dangling by a wire. Hole into engine block. Just had checked at dlr and he confirmed problem. Needs to disassemble engine, inspect block, may be damaged. On the plus side, it is under warranty. But seriously, still stranded 100 mi from home in a lightly used HONDA. Still have to go for wks without a car and pay $100 deductible. Not good press for my beloved pilot.

Negative first post....for all we know could be a troll.

If true story, post a pic of the engine......

[Dubhe]

Originally Posted by rocky

I think you are very unfortunate. I swear this is the first time I've heard this happening.

I joined this group because of a problem with my Pilot & guess what- the same thing, a backed out #5 plug (middle front) and when inspected, some chips of ceramic missiing from around the center electrode. Methinks this may be more common than you thought.

[94eg!]

This problem just sounds crazy to me. Even if the plug wasn't torqued properly, the coil pack is bolted down which wouldn't allow the plug to back out.

I guess anything is possible though.