New Problem with my '03 Pilot

[pickettj]

I have a 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L which I purchased in 2005. Until now, it has been basically flawless mechanically aside from normal wear and tear. Recently, however, there have been some issues that seem to be coming from the motor that are concerning me. I don't know a mechanics term to describe what the problem is so if it's already been covered, my apologies for beating a dead horse.

The problem started last week when I went on my routine trip to pick my son up from preschool. I drove to the school, which is about 10-12 miles one way, and didn't have any issues with the Pilot on the way. Once I got to the school I parked and left it running. I had received a few text messages so I sat for a minute to respond to them. It was actually about a minute after I put it in park that the Pilot started a mild vibration and then just died. The normal pre-start warning lights were on like I had just turned the key forward and was getting ready to start. (I think it's the battery light and the check engine light)

I chalked this up to a fluke since I hadn't had a problem in the six years I've owned the car then today happened. I went to get in the car, ironically to go pick my son up again, and when I turned the key something I've never experienced with a car happened. The entire front end of the car seemed to be shaking and it was making a very loud sound. It was like the front end was trying to jump up and down. The loud sound wastn't lawn mower loud, but much louder than a Pilot should be when starting. I almost immediately stopped trying to start it because it startled me. I checked my lights, nothing was on that shouldn't be pre-start so I gave it another go. This time I stuck with the shaking and noise. It seemed to be a longer start than normal but when you feel like your motor is about to explode it probably just seems longer. It started and ran normally all the way through the 20-25 mile round trip. When I got home I shut the car off and waited about 5 second and tried to restart. It restarted normally, no noise, no abnormal vibrations.

I don't know what this could be but I don't feel like it's going to be good news. I'm no mechanic so I would hate to even begin to guess what the problem should be. I'm hoping I can get some insight here because I've discovered that if you tell a mechanic what the problem is, they will replace that first, then replace what needs fixed...Any ideas, help, etc. would be appreciated. Again, no check engine lights, no flashing, dinging, nothing weird going on with the dash so it's not trying to tell me what the problem is.

[N_Jay]

Could be a failing spark plug, a failing fuels injector, or a bit of water in the fuel.

If it has not come back, I would check under the hood for anything that looks out of place or loose and then put a can of Techron in the gas tank.

Also, Check the oil level, and the radiator water.

Low or high oil could be a head gasket, as could oil or a dirty look to the radiator water.

[pickettj]

I realize that this isn't a car repair forum, I was just hoping that there was someone out there with a similar issue. I know the timing belt is due to be changed but I don't think it would cause an intermittent issue like this.

[N_Jay]

No problem.

We have a lot of guys who do a lot of the work on their Pilots.

Intermittents are a pain to find some times.

Was it wet out when you had the problem?

[pickettj]

Originally Posted by N_Jay

No problem.

We have a lot of guys who do a lot of the work on their Pilots.

Intermittents are a pain to find some times.

Was it wet out when you had the problem?

dry as a bone and warm. It was 50 today. It was in the 50's when it died too so it's not a cold weather thing.

[pickettj]

I've moved my questions to a mechanics forum. I'll still take any suggestions! I love my Pilot so I'll do what I have to to keep it running! Aside from this hiccup it has been the most reliable vehicle I've owned, right along with the two Honda Civics I have owned/own now. Thanks for any information that any of you may have.

[rocky]

Weird one. Being a one off event with no CELs I suggest you chalk it up to a one off and forget about it.

If it comes back hopefully you'll get a CEL right now any suggestions seem like guesswork.

[mgreig0230]

Originally Posted by pickettj

I have a 2003 Honda Pilot EX-L which I purchased in 2005. Until now, it has been basically flawless mechanically aside from normal wear and tear. Recently, however, there have been some issues that seem to be coming from the motor that are concerning me. I don't know a mechanics term to describe what the problem is so if it's already been covered, my apologies for beating a dead horse.

The problem started last week when I went on my routine trip to pick my son up from preschool. I drove to the school, which is about 10-12 miles one way, and didn't have any issues with the Pilot on the way. Once I got to the school I parked and left it running. I had received a few text messages so I sat for a minute to respond to them. It was actually about a minute after I put it in park that the Pilot started a mild vibration and then just died. The normal pre-start warning lights were on like I had just turned the key forward and was getting ready to start. (I think it's the battery light and the check engine light)

I chalked this up to a fluke since I hadn't had a problem in the six years I've owned the car then today happened. I went to get in the car, ironically to go pick my son up again, and when I turned the key something I've never experienced with a car happened. The entire front end of the car seemed to be shaking and it was making a very loud sound. It was like the front end was trying to jump up and down. The loud sound wastn't lawn mower loud, but much louder than a Pilot should be when starting. I almost immediately stopped trying to start it because it startled me. I checked my lights, nothing was on that shouldn't be pre-start so I gave it another go. This time I stuck with the shaking and noise. It seemed to be a longer start than normal but when you feel like your motor is about to explode it probably just seems longer. It started and ran normally all the way through the 20-25 mile round trip. When I got home I shut the car off and waited about 5 second and tried to restart. It restarted normally, no noise, no abnormal vibrations.

I don't know what this could be but I don't feel like it's going to be good news. I'm no mechanic so I would hate to even begin to guess what the problem should be. I'm hoping I can get some insight here because I've discovered that if you tell a mechanic what the problem is, they will replace that first, then replace what needs fixed...Any ideas, help, etc. would be appreciated. Again, no check engine lights, no flashing, dinging, nothing weird going on with the dash so it's not trying to tell me what the problem is.

I too have an 2003 Pilot Ex-L, and have owned it since new....Outside of the 2 transmissions that I have had to pay for it has been a pretty good second car for my family. I had a severe idle problem a few months back, and symptoms sound similar to your description. It turned out to be a idle speed control valve. It is $140.00 retail at a dealer, and it installs just before the intake manifold and the butterfly valve. Its a pretty easy install, and my mechanic told me its common to fail .