Honda Odyssey 1999 - 2004

stever

There's a product out there that uses acetone (or something) and a thin piece of fabric to blend the edges after applying touch-up paint, and it sounds pretty slick.

Anyone know what I'm talking about? I'll see if I can find the message around here but it's been a few weeks since I read about it.

[edit] It's called the Lanka system; here's a message about it:

phil47 "Nissan Pathfinder" Apr 19, 2001 8:08am

Steve, Host

just4fun2

I don't know if this is what you are referring to...Langka.com. Never tried it, but I have it book marked just in case.

stever

Thanks, Just4fun. I haven't used it either but it sounds pretty good. Otherwise you're left with dabbing the touch-up paint on with a toothpick and trying to blend it. I never had the patience to do that.

Steve, Host

stebu

I just did a mega touch up job on my new-to-me '00 EX last week. It had several fairly long scratches on the sides, a few dings here and there, and the rear bumper was a mess. Looked like the previous owner used the braile method of parking. The color is the dark Emerald Pearl.

I bought some of the vehicle specific colored Plasti-Kote paint at a local Pep Boys. I got a small 1oz jar, which comes with it's own applicator, to do all the fine hair line scratches. Then on the bumper, where there were a lot of scratches, I taped it off and gave it a few light passes with the 6oz spray can. Their paint was a perfect match and the whole job turned out quite nice. Takes a little patience and it's not perfect, as in you can see the touched up spots if you put your face up to the paint. But from more then 6 ft it isn't noticible at all. I believe the dark color really helps with concealing any streakiness. I know my other car, which is a much lighter pearl green, doesn't come out nearly as nice using the same technique.

tcmotorcity

My neighbor owns a 2000 Odyssey and would like to change it from a 7 passenger to an 8 passenger seating set up. He has two captain's chairs in the second row. Can he add a captain chair or replace the entire second row with a bench seat to make this happen? Thanks.

tcmotorcity

robr2

Honda did offer a bench seat in 1999 - the first year of the current Ody style. I think there were about 7 made with it.

He can inquire at the dealer to see if they can order that seat but it's a looooooonnnnnnnnggggggg shot.

deecee5

First off I want to thank everybody on this forum - although I usually just lurk with all of your help I was able to purchase an '03 Ody EX-L w/ RES last week for $500 over invoice. Now the problem - previously I had leased a series of Windstars. Several of my neighbors have Odys and my wife decided that the Ody was for her. She had ridden in one but never driven one. After I drove several and checked out all the pricing, I wanted her to drive one. "It'll be fine, just pick one out but I want leather and DVD". "Are you sure you don't want to drive it first". "No, a van is a van". Big mistake. After a week my wife hates the seat and is all hunched over with back pain. The lumbar area is too full she claims even with it fully retracted. So short of selling the van which ain't gonna happen (maybe selling the wife - ha!ha!) does anybody have any suggestions to make the seat a better fit for her - some kind of a pad of having padding taken out of the seat? Help! She's driving me crazy.

fibber2

We went from a '00 Windstar SE (adj headrests, not their poor low-end one piece types) to an '02 Ody EX, and I have to agree - the Ford has the best front seats in the business. But within a few weeks, both of us had settled into the new van and rarely complain any more. I suggest you give it some time.

The other alternative would be to visit an auto upholstery shop and investigate having them recontour the seat. Especially a shop that caters to the handicapped or disabled. I don't see any reason why they couldn't make her comfortable (for a price).

Don't try selling the wife - that will invariably cost you much more in the long run!!! ;-)

Steve

billg7

I agree with fibber2. When ever I buy a new car I have a problem with the seats and the ride. Thats because it is in a different configuration then the previous seat and it puts stress on a different set of muscles. All cars have different rides which takes time to get use to also.

I am now very happy with the Odyssey seats and ride. The Odyssey seats are rated very good by reviewers.

geb1

I agree that the Ody seats are not the best. No side bolsters which is made even worse with the leather interior. If you are willing to do some surgery, you can modify the lumbar area. A former Ody owner, Chuck Konarske, pulled back the seat cover and then cut out squares of the foam in the lumbar area. I tried it too and it does make a difference. Just start slow and check your progress!

dchopp

What seat Problem. With the eight-way power seat, you can put it into any back relieving position. I also think the seats are comfortable. Perhaps the people with back problems should go see a doctor.

stebu

Actually, a well bolstered lumbar is one of the things most people look for to relieve back pain. I've been down that road in the past (ruptured disk) to know that almost nothing is more agonizing then being strapped into a car seat without proper lower back support. In this respect the leather (after market) seats in my '00 EX seem very well designed. However, one gripe I do have with the seats is the seat cushion is a bit short. I'm average height (6') and wish I had a bit more support under my lower thighs. My wife (5'), on the other hand, thinks they're perfect.

drwilsc

An annoying problem crept up on my 2003 EX-L RES. The right front passenger window started rattling. It is loud enough to interfere with casual conversation. I have not yet had a chance to take it to the dealer. Has anyone else had such a problem?
In the past, I have found some dealers to get suddenly deaf when I complain about a rattle, but this time they're not getting by with it!

inverarity1

Is there any information around about the 2004 Odyssey and when it is expected to be released?

andrewtran71

No, I have never heard such a problem. I guess the window glass somehow got loosened, you think?
It is annoying, but at least it doesn't sound like too much of a difficult problem to fix.
The closest problem to that I've ever had was on my Avalon in which the driver power window wouldn't roll down. Toyota fixed that in 1 hour.
But yeah, don't let those people get away with it!

fibber2

The short bottom seat cushion is also our major gripe. The Ford's was about 2" longer, and it gave better thigh support for us long legged types. And I actually wish the lumbar support was a little higher and maybe more pronounced. The Ford was infinitely variable electric, and better placed.

Again, every vehicle is different, and for the most part, you get used to, or modify yourself, the little deficiencies. Wouldn't it be great if you could pick and choose from a wide menu and get the best of everything to your taste? Having owned a GC / Windstar / Ody, I could create the 'super van' for me, but you might hate it!!

Steve

wholigan

FWIW-

Since April 28 we have put 9000 miles on the Ody (EX-L w/RES):
•The DVD has paid for itself (I have three children aged 9/7/7)
•The best we did for MPG was 28 (on the flat highways through Indiana with the wind at our back!)
•Driving to/from Minneapolis/Whitewater, WI, average about 75MPH, we get 25 MPG

Need to get that 7/100000/$0 warranty before 12K miles or the price goes up!

Enjoy!
Wholigan

jcroberts

With over 60,000 miles on my 1999 Odyssey LX, I have been contemplating replacing the spark plugs. I understand they have a 100K life. In talking with my step-son about plugs, he recommended replacing them with a dual or quad tipped performence plug and not just another set of platinums. What have you found to improve performance and milage while more completely burning of residue in the cylinder? I do not want to put in too hot a plug that may cause damage to the engine.

stever

You may want to browse the archived "Splitfire" Plugs - Hot Accessory or Hooey? and Spark plugs - Your favourite brand and type and why? discussions while waiting for comments in here.

Steve, Host

stever

Here's a plug for the monthly chat. Our theme for forget tonight's member-to-member chat is Vans!

The chat time is 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Pop in for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

Here's the link.

Steve, Host

billg7

You know the saying, "If it works don't fix it" I very much doubt that using spark plugs that did not come with the car will help and it could very well hurt. Honda and other manufacturers would have probably used a different spark plug if it improved performance and mileage.

The risk/reward ratio is not good here. Perhaps you would get a little bit better performance, but the greater likely hood is you would get the same or poorer performance and more engine wear.

auburn63

There is simply no better plug for a Honda than a NGK in my opinion and I have seen many differant ones ran in them over the last 20 years..

jcroberts

Our 1999 Odyssey LX has 60000 miles on it now. I have noticed that it seems to be missing around 1500 rpms. I don't remember having this problem in the past. We run regular gas in it. Might premium gas or new plugs make a difference? Or some other suggestions.

user777

steve (host),
a question about the Honda ODY forums...Why don't we have a link to the topic "Post your van gas mileage here", like it shows up in the list of forums for Toyota Sienna?

Honda ODY owners don't have mileage problems?

anyway, i have been wondering about that for some time...it's a confusing forum design!

nberryman,
i posted a list of things which i'd track down if my mileage was as poor as yours, see:

user777 "Post Your Van Gas Mileage Here" Aug 13, 2003 3:46pm

i'm no mechanical guru...however, such poor mileage may be indicative of something which isn't right. sure, getting slightly less than sticker MPG, that's to be expected; people say during breakin... i wonder about that..how much does initial clearences / tolerances affect mileage.

i think you have to do as steve said, check your tire pressure 'cause that's what people will jump on if they respond to your inquiry. that said, i personally doubt that one factor will fully account for the poor mpg on the highway you are stating you are getting with the '03.

see if the ideas in my post (#264) in the forum mentioned make sense to you.

unfortunately, noone gave me any feedback/response on the thoughts expressed in that post... ;(

maybe most fell short of the mark...but i'm sure, not all of them.

bottom line, if my mileage was approximately 1/2 what was expected (as you've stated), my van would be at the dealer. that said, i think you need to take a drive which is all highway to see how close to 25 you get, since your 10% city...are you a leadfoot driver?

best regards.

stever

We only have 6 category slots to put discussions under - not an issue for this board since there's no need to have it show up in a Sienna search. But we have to pick and choose among lots of vehicles when a discussion has broader reach, like the mileage one.

It's easy enough to rotate the Ody into the mix though (bye bye Silhouette, lol).

Steve, Host

auburn63

You could have an EGR problem such as a bad lift sensor or clog in the manifold. We have seen a few of those...Other than that not much with platinum plugs going out early or coil pack problems so bad gas or injectors dirty may be the next guess...good luck

stever

"When the costs of fuel, insurance, maintenance, replacement parts, depreciation and loan interest are figured in with the purchase price, Honda creams its competition for value."

"The Honda Odyssey, still one of the most sought-after minivans going into its fourth year on the market, sells for $2,181 more than a comparable Ford Windstar after Ford's $3,000 rebate. But the Odyssey turns out to be $6,210 cheaper to own over five years."

On cars, big rebates aren't always big savings (USA Today)

Steve, Host

stever

"Within only a few months of its introduction in 1998, the Honda Odyssey minivan leapfrogged Chrysler's minivans to become the gold standard in family transportation."

From The End of Detroit by Micheline Maynard. Read a short excerpt here.

Another good quote:

"I'm the servant of the customer."

- Kunimichi Odagaki, chief engineer of the Honda Odyssey minivan

Steve, Host

fibber2

the new Sienna finally tops the Ody, but not by a big margin. Honda still a very respectable second (of 8??) - pretty good for a 4-5 year old design.

Steve

billg7

I see that the Sienna now has seats that fold down flat. The Sienna has a bit better rating, although they are both rated excellent. With that small a difference I would expect the Odyssey to come out on top again when they redesign their minivan, which I think they are going to do in 2005.

CR also has an article on backup aids for minivans, to see the blind spots in the back, when backing up. If my dealership offered one I might have them install it on my Odyssey.

user777

I believe that bumper sensors and a rear-view camera are available.

See:
http://www.handaccessories.com/odyelec02.html

Also see the official Accessories brochure at your local dealer.

fibber2

on my '00 Windstar SE and loved them. And it was factory equipped for a mere $250 or so... I was disappointed when we bought the '02 Honda that it was not offered, even as a dealer add-on at the time. I recently looked at the Collegehillshonda site and downloaded the instructions. In addition to the cost of the kit ($450+), installation is not a simple task.... Maybe combine this with the Honda hitch kit and make it a weekend project??

Steve

billg7

Thanks for the information user777. I think it was Popular Mechanics magazine that installed a radar one in the license plate of their test 1999 Odyssey, after they backed it up and damaged it. I think they got it from the J C Whitney catalog. It fit in with the license plate screws. It was part of their long term test report on the Odyssey and the article may be available at their site. The link to it was also given here.

I am going to definitely look for a factory installed one for my next minivan. The dangers of being without one have even been featured on the major TV networks. The worst case being the guy who accidently backed into his young son, killing him, because he could not see him.

jcroberts

My 1999 Odyssey LX has 60,000 miles on the odometer and an eratic "Check Engine Light" It comes on every couple of weeks. For the second time I took it into the garage and they finally discovered it was the EGR failing. The EGR Valve Set 6006720 costs $72 and another $75 for installation. I was told by another Honda service manager that the EGR was part of the pollution control and was covered under warranty for 80,000 miles and seven years.
Am I paying for a repair that is covered by the warranty? I would appreciate any thoughts.

dudleyr

What kind of Mpg does CR say the new Sienna gets? I usually get mine late, and am curious if it is really better than Odyssey as the EPA sticker says.

auburn63

American Honda is extending the warranty on EGR
system problems in the affected vehicles(99-00 all) to 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. To be eligible for coverage under this extended warranty, the MIL must be on with one of the above DTCs stored. Install the EGR pipe kit which comes with a new EGR valve also...

jcroberts

How do I apply for the extended warranty for the expense ($145) of replacing my ERG valve? The service manager at my Honda dealer wants to stick me with the bill, saying it is not covered under Honda warranty.

auburn63

If the codes P1491 or P0401 were the cause of your problem then you can just go back and explain about the service bulletin or call American Honda for assistance. Their number is in the owners manual somewhere. However if the codes were not on at the time of the repair then the EGR valve as a stand alone repair is not covered in the extension. Good luck

rbell2

I just filled my new '03 for the first time (was initially filled by the dealer with regular unleaded). It took 15.2 gallons with the marker about 1/8 above "E." The miles were 100% city driving and the mpg was 17.2. I was a little disappointed. I was at least expecting the lower number on the sticker (18mpg). Having owned 3 new Toyota's over the years, they have always provided mileage over the sticker values. This is my first new Honda.

Can any of you Ody owners comment on what mileage you get in city driving and whether you saw a mpg improvement after a few thousand miles of break-in??

I'll be real interested in seeing the mileage on a road trip.

robr2

On our 00, we get about 19 with mostly city driving now that we are at 38K. Our first few tanks were under 15 mpg. A 2-3 hour highway drive bumps it up to about 22 mpg.

Please note that gas mileage will increase as the engine breaks in - wait until you reach about 10K miles to really be concerned about the mpg. Also, remember that the EPA estimates are based on optimum conditions. Real world will vary.

dudleyr

Actually EPA numbers are usually easy to beat, since they subract 22% from their measured figures for highway mileage.

robr2

It depends on how you drive, type of traffic, weather, fuel additives, et al.

In some cases it probably is easy to beat the EPA numbers. I've never been able to do so living here in Boston unless I took a major highway trip.

sda

The gas mileage our 03 EX gets is our only real complaint. We've been getting about 16 in town and 23 on the road. Runs, and drives great. No problems or adjustments needed so far. Absolutely no buyers remorse. Now if only the steering wheel was wrapped in leather, it had a sunroof, trip computer and outside temperature display...

rbell2

We too miss the trip computer and temp/compass our '96 DGC had. You can get a good rear-view mirror with compass and temp display for about $200-250 off the internet. The installation does not look that bad either. I plan on doing it in the next few weeks.

Kirstie_H

Don't forget tonight's member-to-member chat -- Our topic tonight is "Warranties: Are they worth it?"



http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET. Drop by for live chat with other members. Hope you can join us!

kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host

rbell2

I wanted to give an update on gas mileage for my second tank of gas. My first tank was ~17.2mpg with all city driving (filled by the dealer at a "no-brand" gas station). I filled it with BP-regular unleaded and got 19.1mpg with all city driving. I am pleased with this and hope it stays in this region or gets better. In any case, it is higher than the 18mpg on the sticker for city driving. We might be taking a 500 mile trip this weekend so I'll have some highway mpg info soon.

dchopp

Try the High Test Fuel, You will get 22mpg

dchopp

I was just looking over the reported Siena problems posted on the Toyota Forum. It looks like the 1999 Ody revisited. It pays to stay away from the first year production model.

billg7

The 2004 Toyota Siena was tested by The Institute For Highway Safety, Brian O'Neal president, and it failed the 40 mph crash test. That's because the fuel tank leaked, which make it a high danger condition. See NBC "Dateline", for 09/21/03, for a report on this testing.

Toyota re designed the fuel tank and it now has a good rating, which is about as high as the ratings get for that test.

Toyota has a recall on the 2004 Sienas, already built, to fix the fuel tank.

Yes, it pays to wait a year anyway, and even better two years, to buy a new model. It took till the 2001 model for Consumers Reports, (CR), to give the Odyssey it's highest reliability rating.

I would make an educated guess that when the 2005 Odyssey comes out it will be rated higher, by CR, then the 2004 Siena. I base this on two things: 1. The Odyssey is currently rated only a little lower, by CR, then the 2004 Siena.
2. Honda will have had a number of years to improve the Odyssey for 2005 over the 2004 model, so it should be better then the current Odyssey.

CR did have a problem with the high cost of the options, (extras), for the Siena.

dako_tian

The available 8 seats on the CE and LE have caught my attention. The fact that Toyota does have those options available (as opposed to the almost-everything-included Honda philosophy) means that our family could get all the things we care about in an 8-seat LE Sienna at about the price of a base EX Odyssey (even with the exorbitant options pricing). The fact that the Sienna is significantly quieter doesn't hurt a bit. I can also live with the slightly increased body roll, since my wife is not a road rally driver (she may be a bit of a drag racer from watching me drive, but that shouldn't cause body roll).

We're actually going to go look at and test drive the Siennas tonight. If the view from inside, the quiet, the extra fit/finish, space and comfort are sufficient to overcome our first-impression strong distaste for the external look of the thing (sort of Mazda meets Kia trying to look like Chrysler), then maybe we'll actually buy one. Stranger things have happened....

Of course, we'll wait until next year for our budget and for at least some of the earliest kinks to be worked out of the things.