[Jeff Petersen]

Hi all, I've had my 2014 Pilot EX 4WD since new, and it has about 95k miles now. I just had a P3400 error, so I replaced the rear oil pressure switch. This did not solve the issue though. At the last oil change, there was some off-white sludge on the oil cap. I'm sure this is due to all the short trip driving I've been doing, and it's really cold here in northern Wisconsin. See below for exactly what my cap looked like. Anyway, I think the oil pressure ports are clogged due to this condition. How do I clean those ports? Was going to try an enginer de-sludger. Can i blow air or carb cleaner in that oil pressure switch port?

Yellow gunk under oil cap — Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice

 

[Jeff Petersen]

many thanks for all the replies!

Gunk, amsoil, and motor medic make a motor flush. I'd try those before spraying the port. Probably wouldn't hurt to take a couple hour trip as well. That alone might break down what even is in there

I'm going to try one of these cleaners. A few days after I changed the oil, I took her on an afternoon adventure and drove for a few hours. This fault happened a week or so after that.

I dont deal with cold temperatures. But when I see this, I worry that their may be antifreeze leaking into the oil. Is their any signs of milkshake when you drain the oil? Is the coolant level dropping at all?
P3400 code may require you to replace the vtec assembly. The filter screen may be clogged.

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No signs of milkshake in the oil that I drained. It was black. And the coolant level is steady. So, no signs of head gasket leakage. I hope I don't have to replace that VTEC assembly

Not sure if I'll disable the VCM. I might be getting a different vehicle this summer. I'd really like a truck for towing our camper. The Pilot can do it, but it's not ideal. Love the Pilot for everything else though!

 

[Jeff Petersen]

That vtec assembly is an easy install. 3 bolts on top of the spool valve. This photo is by the dipstick, but it's similar for the opposite side. That filter screen is what can get clogged.
View attachment 144993

Ok good. So if I remove that I could check and clean that screen?

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[Jeff Petersen]

Here's what my cap looked like

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[Jeff Petersen]

Valvoline Full Synthetic. I do all maintenance based on the MM. Except rear diff. I do that more often because I tow a camper.

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[Jeff Petersen]

And I change the oil filter every oil change, even though the MM doesn't say to.

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[Jeff Petersen]

how many short trips vs. long trips does your Pilot take and how cold has the weather been lately. Marvel Mystery Oil is a good add-in cleaner to do about a week before a planned oil change.

because of covid and other factors, i haven't used this vehicle for any long trips since the beginning of november. only short trips every day since then. so, i can see why i'd have this problem now, and not previous winters. Temperatures have been mostly in the 20's F during the day, until lately.

last night i did the oil sludge remover and drained the oil and removed the oil filter. i have to get new oil and filter tonight. i also took the front spool valve off and looked at the screen, and it seemed clean. the rear is a lot harder to get to. any tips or instructions on getting access to that? it's a tight spot. how is that one removed? it looks like it bolts on the end, not the top?

 

[Jeff Petersen]

I don't know about code and the fix for it, sorry.

But, you Did look at and read that article you posted, right?
It NORMAL in cold temps, WITH shorter trips to have that. Virtually nearly every engine will have it.
It's NOT sludge- unless of course you never change your oil.
It's water vapor mixed with oil.

You are correct, it is not sludge. Just looks like a sludge, so I called it that. And, yes, it's normal to have this in these conditions, but it's not desired. The article recommends changing the oil more frequently or making longer trips in order to avoid this. So, if it's not sludge, then it probably isn't blocking ports or screens. But, maybe it caused something to fail? Or it could just be coincidence.

Have you tried replacing the relief valve spring in the oil pump?
Honda P3400 P3497 — Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice

I haven't, thanks for posting that link. I wasn't getting the code at startup, and I don't have misfires on 1-4. I did have a misfire on cylinder 6. I reset the fault code and it ran fine until i was going down the road and stepped on the gas, the engine revved and after a few seconds is when i got the code again. Then the engine went limp and it ran like crap.

 

[Jeff Petersen]

Now we get the rest of the story.
Perhaps the valve clearance needs to be adjusted.
Plus, it's getting close to the point at which the spark plugs should be replaced.

Can incorrect valve clearance cause P3400? I like how the manual says "adjust valve clearance if they're noisy". I can hear clicking, is that "noisy"?

Plugs were replaced at 55k miles. Kept getting a misfire code, so I took it to the dealer and they recommended new plugs.

 

[Jeff Petersen]

My plan is to replace the rear spool valve. I can reset the fault and it runs ok. Then the fault code turns on as soon as the engine RPM hits that 4500-ish level.

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