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KRYSGODWIN

MEMBER
2005 HONDA ODYSSEY
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
198,900 MILES

My 2005 Odyssey has been a great friend for 198,900+ miles (I bought him new). Regularly serviced and no huge concerns. In the last six months I have paid for some big repairs: timing belt system, power steering tubes and container, breaks, and others. I took it for a regular oil change; all of a sudden now there is resistance while driving. It started when I was going 70 mph -- it would sound like the engine was building in strength and then settle down, then be fine. A few minutes later it would do the same. Over time the behavior has become more frequent and gradually at lower speeds. Now the same behavior occurs at 45 mph, more frequent, and much harsher. Though transmission problems are historically in this model, the mechanic who reviewed the van in November said that was not a problem in mine. Also, in reading the information I see, these are not the same symptoms others talk about for their transmission problems. Do you have any idea what is causing this? Truly, I am very worried -- I really want this van for another 200K miles.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

First you have to describe the symptoms in a way that conveys to me what is happening. I don't have any idea what " resistance while driving" or "engine was building in strength and then settle down" mean or what they have to do with "rough riding". You didn't specify whether this happened before or after the oil change.

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Tuesday, July 14th, 2015 AT 5:16 PM

KRYSGODWIN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I will try to explain. As I am driving, without changing the pressure on the gas peddle, the van sounds like it is accelerating comes to a peak then decelerates. Then there is a pause while the engine sounds normal. Then the same happens again. But there is no change in the speed; there is no change in the gas pressure. And though I have new tires, alignment fine, when I am at any speed over 45-50 it feels like the whole engine is shacking. I did have the motor mounts replaced on this last year. Without indication for a whole year, could there be a motor mount concern? I do not recall the engine stress action until after the oil change (which was about a month ago), and every day it feels like it is getting worse. To the point I am afraid to take it out of town.

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Tuesday, July 14th, 2015 AT 9:19 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

I'm concerned that part of what you described could be due to a slipping transmission. If it really is slipping, you'll do a real lot more internal damage by continuing to drive it like that. At the mileage you listed, it's about time to start expecting a transmission failure, but there are other less-serious things that must also be considered.

My recommendation is to have the vehicle test-driven by a mechanic so we can at least get a clear picture of what is taking place and whether it is something that will get worse very quickly or something that can safely be ignored for a while. If you're told it is indeed a transmission problem, get a second opinion from a transmission specialty shop. They will know if it is something that is easily repaired or if the entire transmission must be rebuilt.

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Tuesday, July 14th, 2015 AT 9:59 PM