Highly likely that residue buildup from the VCM system is in large part at the root of the problems. Read and decide.
It's never too late to disable the VCM system.

 

Most of us that have had these issues, solved it by disabling the VCM. VCM disabling devices keep the engine running on all 6-cylinders 100% of the time. To give your engine the best chance to recover, I’d also replace the PCV valve, and clean the MAF sensor. Ensure fuel trims are within specification. 5k mile oil changes, using a quality name brand engine oil of the proper weight (no semi synthetic or extended performance oil) with a medium < quality oil filter (no mini economy filters). Use top tier 87-89 octane fuel or fuel system or injector cleaner regularly (fuel additives more important than higher octane). After the above, go out on the highway for some extended periods of highway speed drives to burn off carbon deposits.

More info on VCM disabling…..

https://www.piloteers.org/threads/the-vcm-mega-thread-what-is-vcm-does-my-vehicle-have-it-whats-so-bad-about-it-and-more.177326/post-1778203

 

I have been reading a lot of these discussions. And you have commented on most of them. If only you lived near me! You sound like you’ve done this a few times. I have called lots of “mechanics” and no one wants to do anything different than what is recommended. I am not mechanically inclined. I read a lot and learn a lot but can’t do it myself. The last place I took it to found oil on the spark plugs on 1, 2, and 3. Replaced plugs and boots and now around 4k miles later, codes, lights, major shaking is happening. We do notice it only happens every other time she drives the car. I have replaced the MAF sensor. So I just need to ask around and see if someone would disable the VCM?

 

Installing a VCM disabling device is a 10 minute DIY job for even a novice. The units are in the $100-$150 price range and worth every penny IMO. The S-VCM and VCMTuner II are the popular devices with many members here.

S-VCM Controller - Disable VCM / deactivate VCM and stop ECO in Honda Acura

Deactivate Honda VCM in 3.5L V6 SOHC engines. The S-VCM Controller is an automobile grade, high precision tool that can reliably disable VCM 100% of the time, and would safely bypass in case the engine overheats. It does not use a fixed resistor or manually adjusted potentiometer, and is a much...

www.svcmcontroller.com

VCMTUNER II - Advanced - 2007+ for Honda Acura 3.5L I-VTEC Disable VCM / ECO mode

Product ID: VCMTD1000 In Stock. Read Reviews | Vehicle Fitment List NOTE: Product generally ships in 24-48 hours. Orders placed after 1pm PST Friday and over the weekend will be shipped the following business day (monday). usps is closed on monday 9/1/2025. Canada orders: CanadaPost on...

www.vcmtuner.com

 

Installing a VCM disabling device is a 10 minute DIY job for even a novice. The units are in the $100-$150 price range and worth every penny IMO. The S-VCM and VCMTuner II are the popular devices with many members here.

S-VCM Controller - Disable VCM / deactivate VCM and stop ECO in Honda Acura

Deactivate Honda VCM in 3.5L V6 SOHC engines. The S-VCM Controller is an automobile grade, high precision tool that can reliably disable VCM 100% of the time, and would safely bypass in case the engine overheats. It does not use a fixed resistor or manually adjusted potentiometer, and is a much...

www.svcmcontroller.com

VCMTUNER II - Advanced - 2007+ for Honda Acura 3.5L I-VTEC Disable VCM / ECO mode

Product ID: VCMTD1000 In Stock. Read Reviews | Vehicle Fitment List NOTE: Product generally ships in 24-48 hours. Orders placed after 1pm PST Friday and over the weekend will be shipped the following business day (monday). usps is closed on monday 9/1/2025. Canada orders: CanadaPost on...

www.vcmtuner.com

Would that keep the oil from getting to the spark plugs? Sorry to ask so many questions. I’ll look up these up and see if I can figure it out! My husband is a carpenter and can build/rebuild anything but I am the one that tries to take care of my car. 🤞🏻I’m just worried about my daughter driving it and the possibility of the engine locking up from this issue. (I had read some of the posts and one man said his pilot locked up on his wife while she was driving and it scares me.) Thanks for all your help!

 

Nailgrease's advice is spot on. If you want the most effective items focus on these:

- Buy either S-VCM or VCMTuner II linked above by Winston. You do not need a mechanic to do this. They are very easy to install following the instructions that come with them.

- Change your oil with a high quality synthetic and filter every 5k miles or less. Your regular oil change shop should be very capable of this, just make sure you're not getting the $30 oil change special or whatever. The supplies alone should cost at least that.

- Check your oil frequently - you're probably burning some and you do NOT want to run low.

- Use only top tier fuel.

TOP TIER - High-quality Fuel Performance Standard - TOP TIER™

TOP TIER is developed and enforced by some of the leading automotive manufacturers and supplied by participating fuel retailers.

www.toptiergas.com

That will probably get you in a lot better spot. Simply firing all the plugs with VCM should prevent the spark plugs from fouling and causing misfires. So that by itself will be huge.

If you want bonus points you can just ask your dealer or shop to replace the PCV and clean the MAF. Neither are difficult or expensive. Probably 1 hour of labor to do both. You could even ask your shop to install the VCM disable device, your dealer MIGHT not do that however.

 

"Would that keep the oil from getting to the spark plugs?"

In a word, yes. When you have a few minutes please look through the VCM Megathread posted earlier but, in short, the VCM by shutting off one or more cylinders prevents the engine from properly cycling lubricant, causing oil residues to build up and bake on the rings as well as the exhaust valves. The residual oil gunk in the cylinders also clogs up the spark plugs, hence your car's symptoms.

Disabling the car's VCM system allows the engine to run all the time with all its cylinders firing normally thus preventing the oil burning & residue buildup issues that can cause damage to the rings, valves, and spark plugs. Please also see the advice of experienced member Nail Grease earlier is this thread for suggestions of other simple actions that can greatly help your current issues.

 

Well... you either pay $4k (which you seem you want to do) or install a $100 VCM disabler. Buy one and take it to your local independent Honda shop and ask them to install it if you feel it's something you don't want to install yourself. Then if your $100 fix doesn't work your $4k fix is now a $4.1k fix.

 

I really don’t want to pay $4k but I want my daughter to have a safe vehicle to drive. If you all have done this to your pilots and it works great for you guys, I’m willing to try it. I’ve put 4 sets of spark plugs in a matter of a year and half. Now I just need to replace 3 and buy this disabler. 🤞🏻Thanks for your help!

 

If you've been putting in the correct plugs, and 4 sets, the cost of the VCM defeat device will be chump change. And faster/easier to install than all those plugs. Just sayin'...

 

Ordered part Thursday and this happened to my daughter last night. 🤦‍♀️ Maybe they wont total it.

 

 

I just got a brand new Pilot... is this something I'll need to keep in mind as a possible issue?

 

Not necessarily a piston ring issue. But I’d believe it to be naive to think that a 4th generation Pilot would be exempt from future problems that are caused by VCM technology. I would disable the VCM if I were planning on keeping the vehicle past the warranty.

 

I had oil getting into my plugs and also would get a large cloud of blue smoke at odd times and couldnt get it to reproduce. Replaced the plugs and three coils. It happened again and plugs one and two would fill p with oil. The mechanic said it was a problem with the rings. I did some research and found out my PVC valve had decomposed over time and half of it was stuck in the block. I finally got it removed, installed a new PVC, and disabled the VCM. It now works like a charm.