zdxsr

FYI...

NHTSA Reference #10086261 - TSB Reference #BPAS09152016902
Sent on 09 15 2016
From Parts and Service Division
Subject Request for Parts: 2009-2014 MDX, RL, TL & ZDX Engine Oil

PRIORITY/ACTION REQUIRED
To: All Acura Service Managers/Consultants
From: Technical Research & Support Group
RE: Request for Parts: 2009-2014 MDX, RL, TL & ZDX Engine Oil

This message is solely directed to Acura dealership personnel; please handle accordingly.
Print this iN message and provide a copy to the Shop Foreman and all Service Consultants.

Background
American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2010-2013 MDXs, 2011-2012 RLs, 2009-2014 SHAWD TLs & 2010-2013 ZDXs with a client complaint of higher than
expected engine oil consumption. To fully understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of
any kind.

Qualifiers
AHM is interested ONLY if the vehicle meets the following requirements:
1. 3.7L engine only.
2. Mileage must be between 50,000 & 150,000 miles.
3. Must have an oil consumption complaint.
4. Previous oil change must have been done at the same dealership.
5. No sign of oil leaks.
6. No history of major engine repair.
7. No need to conduct oil consumption test prior to calling TRS.

Action Required
If you have or know of such a vehicle, please call Technical Research & Support (TRS) Group at 800-880-1072. TRS will need to record certain vehicle information and
provide you with further instructions.

TacoBello

I didn't know the ZDX had consumption issues also.

I mean, it makes sense if they used the same engine out of the 4G TL... I just haven't heard about it.

HondaOwnerForLife

The engine codes are different for the 4G TL and the ZDX. But at the heart of the matter is the 3.7L J37 engine. I need to delve into this further. Acura replaced the short block in my 2010 6MT TL. I was not aware of engine oil consumption issues with the J37A5, but does not surprise me either.

crashp3

My 2010 goes through about 2 qts every 1k-1.5k miles. I use the OEM filter, but don't have the dealership do the oil changes as I am roughly at 79k and capable of doing them myself.

Any idea what exactly they are going to do at this point? I see they collect parts, but what? Wonder if this could have a long term recall performed if they discover an issue, just like the struts.

zdxsr

Damn… You almost burn up all your engine oil in 3K miles.That just isn’t right! I would definitely be on the phone and shooting emails out to the powers that be at Honda corporate.

Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

HondaOwnerForLife

Can you expound on the strut issue?

And I am now back to checking oil every other Sunday on the ZDX. Have not done that yet for the ZDX and am approaching 3K miles since the last oil change. My service manager at Acura of Omaha is probably not going to be thrilled with me IF the J37A5 in my ZDX is burning oil. I will post my oil monitoring results here.

dynodan

[QUOTE=crashp3;15929503]My 2010 goes through about 2 qts every 1k-1.5k miles.

Wow. I've owned Hondas/Acuras for so long now, I have gotten completely out of the habit of checking oil regularly.
My ZDX is about due for an oil change (every 7500/highway miles) so I should likely make a note to check the dipstick this time before I drain it!

HondaOwnerForLife

I had an appointment set up with my independent Honda/Acura mechanic for a 3K oil change and tranny/rear diff fluid check. This will be my first service since buying it at 59,638 miles on 11/26. I'm going to cancel that and call my service manager. My 2010 6MT TL had this issue and Acura replaced the short block. Treating the symptom and not the cause unfortunately. Maybe I can help the research effort. I love the J37. So I'm in. For the record, the oil was changed at 59,603 miles and I have NOT checked the dip stick to this point. I am at 62,100 miles as of today.

I too have owned many Hondas and some Acuras and never worried about checking the oil. Didn't have to, really. Until the 2010 6MT. Time to check the ZDX.

dynodan

[QUOTE=dynodan;15930534]Checked it just now. Down a quart and a half. Not terrible, but still worrisome for a Honda product. I'll likely take it to a dealer for oil change service this time, and see what they suggest, though ultimately, a new short block would seem rather drastic for what was once way less than typical oil consumption for American cars not too long ago.
Anyone know the details re: any other 3.7L recall issues (specific mechanical faults)?

TacoBello

I see that your TL is a bit older, but, that's crazy high oil consumption nonetheless. How long ago did your TL start consuming oil like that? Honda/Acura stipulates something like 1qrt per 1000 miles warrants an engine replacement. I'd call Acura Customer Relations nonetheless. Your car isnt that far out of warranty to be having issues THAT severe. Oil consumption is generally not a progressive problem. It's either there, or it's not. If you're burning 2 quarts in a 1000 mile period, I'd be super pissed off.

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

Very offtopic, but I found it interesting that I bought my ZDX on the same day as you lol

Derekw_FL

What about the struts? Did I miss a thread somewhere?

HondaOwnerForLife

Nice....

HondaOwnerForLife

After adding approx. 3/4 QT of Mobile One
I was expecting worse based on the consumption in the 2010 6MT TLDateMilesMiles Since Last Oil ChangeActionNotes1/9/201662,0962,493Checked engine oil volume.See pics. Added approx .75 quart of Mobile One (3/4 qt)

HondaOwnerForLife

Sorry my formatting skills need work. The above looks better below:

Date: 1/9/2016
Miles: 62,096
Miles since last oil change: 2,493
Action; Checked engine oil volume.
Result: See pics. Added approx .75 quart of Mobile One (3/4 qt)

dynodan

Looks like your consumption is even worse than mine (7500mi/1.5qt.)

HondaOwnerForLife

I spoke with my service manager today. He's the Service Manager at the lone Acura dealer in Nebraska. I simply called him to give him a heads up so that when he receives my documentation, he's not surprised/confused. He's a true customer advocate based on my experience with him over the years. He managed the oil consumption issue in the 2010 6MT TL such that I never had to deal with Acura corporate at all. He indicated that he's aware of the memo from AHM. He conveyed that in his experience, they seek J37 vehicles close to the plant in Ohio or close to Corporate HQ in California. Be that as it may, he advised to send him my documentation. I will have the oil changed on Monday the 16th. He asked whether or not I suspected a consumption issue with the J37A5. I provided the detail above. Of course we are both aware of the corporate stance here:

1 QT consumed over 1,000 miles is considered normal. The 6MT TL consumption was worse than what I have observed so far with the ZDX's J37A5.

I am not seeking another short block replacement. That's a "symptom" fix and not a "root cause" fix. I simply have another J37 and want to participate in the investigation, if American Honda Motor Corp desires participation from a willing J37 owner.

I am a fan of the J37. I like having it under the hood and love the "rumble" when it ignites.

dynodan

1 QT consumed over 1,000 miles is considered normal [/QUOTE]

My Integra never burned any oil (even at 250K), nor either CRX. This is my first large Honda motor, so maybe there is something about size/more cylinders that comes with oil consumption (?).
My '55 Ford 292 c.i. V-8 uses a quart every 1000 also. If checking/adding oil occasionally is the price you must pay for more power, then I'm fine with it!

HondaOwnerForLife

Any pics of that old Ford? I am of the opinion that the problem is with the piston rings or the cylinder wall lining, or the combination of both in the J37. Agreed. Regardless of any fix, or lack there of, I am keeping this J37 and the platform it powers!!!!

dynodan

Sorry, wrong forum.
BTW: I once paid a dealer mechanic to fix a leaky cam plug on my Integra at 150K mi. when I could have just added a few quarts of oil over time instead. Lesson learned. Acura dealers are quite distant, so I wouldn't even waste the trips (doubled with a loaner) to have the engine disassembled/repaired to keep me from having to top of the crankcase occasionally.

HondaOwnerForLife

Provided ALL documentation to my local Acura service manager. Had the oil changed on the 16th of January for the first time since owning the "White Whale". Will check oil volume every Sunday. Simply in monitor mode until the next oil change.

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

I changed my oil around Jan of this year, checked dipstick yesterday and it was completely dry, there wasn't even oil at the very bottom of the stick (I forget the number of miles driven but less than 6k)....No wonder the low oil warning popped up every once in a while when I slammed on my brakes...

HondaOwnerForLife

Update: I've put 9,000 miles on the 2010 ZDX and change the oil every 3,000 miles. My consumption is below:

1st 3K mile change: 3/4 QT low at 3,000 miles
2nd 3K mile change: 1 QT low at 3,000 miles
3rd 3K mile change: 1/2 QT low at 3,000 miles

I have the oil changed at the dealer so that I and the Service Manager can document the consumption. So far, I am not concerned. The 2010 6MT TL consumed oil at a much higher rate and Acura, because I had documentation and a customer-focused Service Manager, replaced the short block. I don't experience inordinate oil consumption with the ZDX at this time, but will continue to monitor and document.

My 2006 CRV consumes more oil than the ZDX at this point, but in part that's because my daughter knows no other starting method than the jack rabbit start!!

Giovanni Vincent

My 2010 ZDX with 83,000 miles showed a low oil alert on my gps display yesterday. thankfully i was on my street heading home when it happened but i was 4qt's low and changed my oil 4k ago so i will be calling acura tomorrow to schedule an oil consumption test. ill update everyone with the findings and repairs.

HondaOwnerForLife

Update with exact mileage:

1st oil change: 2,493 miles and down ¾ QT
2nd oil change: 3,006 miles and down 1 QT
3rd oil change: 2,675 miles and down ½ QT
4th oil change: 2,949 miles and down 1/3 QT

EE4Life

TSB 18-009 - Engine Oil Consumption Exceeds Client Expectations was released for the 2010-2013 ZDX.

https://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-.../#post16202099

felixangelov

Was the process of replacing the short block on the TL easy, or did you have to escalate it with Acura?
Thanks!

HondaOwnerForLife

Easy? Well depends on your perspective I guess. I had two things going for me with the 2010 TL 6MT: Thorough service history/documentation, including Acura-performed oil consumption tests/logs, AND a customer-oriented Service Manager. He did all of the work with the Acura rep for our area, using the aforementioned documentation. I wouldn't call it easy, but would call it simple, if you have a solid service history and a service manager willing to be your advocate with Acura.

The 2013 ZDX is going on an oil consumption test starting Monday June 11th, 2018. I added between 1/3 and 1/2 QT since last oil change, at about 2K miles after the last oil change. Just want to get it on record via completion of the Acura oil consumption test.

HondaOwnerForLife

The 2013 ZDX is now on the oil consumption test. I'll post details at the 1,000 mile mark.

dynodan

Zdxforever

hey everyone new this place, bought a zdx last year with 98000 km in Canada. Found out it burns about 1 litre every 1500 km. has anyone had the pistons and short block replaced and found that it helps. The last update with the service bulletin was posted in June which is recent. Any thoughts on whether I should repair it or trade it in? The dealer is pretty nice and understand that this oil consumption is no fault of my own and is offering a trade.

HondaOwnerForLife

Personally I'd work with the dealer, or trade for another ZDX. I am too much a fan of the ZDX to recommend parting with it, unless for another ZDX.

Zdxforever

Im waiting for another zdx in his used car lot. In the mean time I'm gonna get him to convince acura canada to do the job. I agree that I really don't want any other car for the price point I paid. Ill post my updates as well with the engine repair.

HondaOwnerForLife

Having the oil level checked tomorrow after the 12,000 mile service on the MDX completes. It will be approx. 875 miles since the last oil change. I'll post results here.

HondaOwnerForLife

First check today at 1,000 miles even: No oil added. Read right at the full line per the tech and the service advisor, as I spoke with both. Will see what it reads at the 2K mile mark.

Zdxforever

Stupid Acura Canada says my warranty is over, but my dealership if fighting for the repairs. If they repairs won't be covered by Acura Canada then I guess Ill have to sell the care back. Hopefully the dealership gives me my money back at a fair price. Ill let you guys know what happens, anyone else have issues with Acura Canada?

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

No, Canada sucks

LC-TL2002

Came in the mail yesterday...Due to oil consumption Acura extended the power train warranty for 8yrs or 125,000 miles!

lumpulus

Yeah, I got the letter as well, though I don't have any consumption issues.('13 with 55000 Miles)

LC-TL2002