Honda 3.5 V6 J35 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability

The Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engine was released in 1999, replacing the B series of engines. High performance and reliability allowed the engine to hold out in the powertrain market to this day.

Honda 3.5 V6 J35 Specifications

Using the J32A engine, in 1999 Honda engineers developed the 3.5-liter J35A engine. It is based on a J32 V-6 cylinder block, 235 mm high, which has a forged crankshaft with a piston stroke of 93 mm, as well as lightweight connecting rods with a length of 158.5 mm.

The compression height of the pistons is 30 mm. Using these modifications, another 300 cm3 of working volume was obtained.

The Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engine uses single-shaft cylinder heads with variable valve timing and VTEC valve lift. Similar to J30A1 from Honda Accord V6. Despite its single shaft, there are 24 valves, 4 for each cylinder.

This Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engine has many modifications, the main differences of which are described below.

The timing system uses a timing belt, it needs to be changed every 90 thousand km.

On Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engines, valves need to be adjusted every 45 thousand km. Clearances for a cold engine: inlet 0.24-0.26 mm, outlet 0.28-0.32 mm.

The Honda Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engine is part of the J range, which also includes the J25, J30, J32 and J37.

Read Also: Mercedes 2.2 CDI OM646 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability

Honda 3.5 V6 J35 Modifications

Like almost all Honda engines, the J35 has several modifications that have been actively used and applied. Let’s consider the main ones:

1. J35A1 – engine for Honda Odyssey, intake valves diameter 34 mm, and exhaust valves 29 mm. The VTEC system is activated from 3300 rpm, the compression ratio is 9.4, the power is 210 hp. at 5200 rpm, torque 310 Nm at 4300 rpm.
2. J35A3 – Improved J35A1, with a different 2-stage intake manifold (shifting at 3500 rpm) oriented to medium and low speeds. as well as with another control engine. VTEC kicks in at 4100 rpm. Compression ratio 10, power 243 hp at 5300 rpm, torque 332 Nm at 3000-5000 rpm. Installed on Acura MDX and Saturn Vue.
3. J35A4 – the engine replaced the J35A1 and received a new intake manifold, a throttle diameter of 64 mm (on the J35A1 – 55 mm) and an exhaust system, the VTEC system has been improved, the intake valves have been increased to 35 mm, and the exhaust valves to 30 mm. The compression ratio has increased to 10, and the power is 240 hp. at 5400 rpm, torque 328 Nm at 4500 rpm. Engine for Honda Odyssey and Pilot.
4. J35A5 – the engine that replaced the J35A3. Cylinder block with cast iron liners, new 2-stage intake manifold (shifting 3700 rpm), electronic throttle, new exhaust system. More evil camshafts are also used, and VTEC is switched on from 4400 rpm. A different control engine is used here, the fuel system has been improved. The compression ratio is still 10, the power is 265 hp. at 5800 rpm, torque 340 Nm at 3500 rpm. This engine was installed on the Acura RDX.
5. J35A6 – The engine replaced the J35A4 and differs from it with an electronic throttle and a new exhaust system. power 255 hp at 5750 rpm, torque 340 Nm at 5000 rpm. Installed on Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey.
6. J35A7 – analogue of J35A6 with a 3-cylinder VCM shutdown system. Power 244 hp at 5750 rpm, torque 325 Nm at 4500 rpm.
7. The J35A8 is an analogue of the J35A5 with a compression ratio of 11, the A8 also has oil nozzles for piston cooling, new connecting rods, full camshafts, cylinder head intake channels have been modified, and the VTEC system is switched on at 4950 rpm. It also uses its own 2-stage intake manifold (switching at 4000 rpm), cold air intake, a freer exhaust system. Power 286 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 347 Nm at 5000 rpm. You can meet this engine on Acura RL and Acura TL Type-S.
8. J35A9 – an analogue of the J35A6 for the all-wheel drive Honda Pilot and Honda Ridgeline, its power is 248 hp. at 5750 rpm, torque 343 Nm at 4500 rpm.
9. J35Z1 – analogue of J35A6 for front-wheel drive Honda Pilot. Power 244 hp at 5750 rpm, torque 325 Nm at 4500 rpm.
10. J35Z2 – The engine that replaced the J35A5 and uses a VCM system to disable 2 or 3 cylinders. Compression ratio 10.5 power 272 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 344 Nm at 5000 rpm. It was put on Acura RDX and Honda Accord of the 8th generation.
11. J35Z3 – analogue of J35Z2 without VCM. Found on the 8th generation Honda Accord.
12. J35Z4 – the engine that replaced the J35Z1 and features an increased compression ratio to 10.5, a 3- or 2-cylinder VCM shutdown system, a cold intake, a new 2-stage intake manifold (switching to 4200 rpm), power 250 hp . at 5700 rpm, torque 343 Nm at 4800 rpm. Installed on the 2nd generation Honda Pilot.
13. J35Z5 – analogue of J35Z4 for Honda Ridgeline with a compression ratio of 10.
14. J35Z6 – engine for Acura TSX and TL. It replaced the J35A8 and features an 11.2 compression ratio, oil injectors, lightweight connecting rods, 64mm throttle body, 2-stage intake manifold (shifting at 3950rpm) and a sports exhaust system. The inclusion of VTEC occurs at 4750 rpm. Power J35Z6 – 280 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 344 Nm at 5000 rpm. Installed on Acura TL and Acura TSX.
15. J35Y1 – this engine replaced the J35Z2 and J35Z3, its differences are in the new inlet and outlet channels of the cylinder head, modified by the VTEC system, which turns on from 5150 rpm. Power J35Y1 – 280 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 342 Nm at 4900 rpm. Engine for Accord 9th generation.
16. J35Y2 – analogue of J35Y1, VTEC is switched on at 4900 rpm. Put on Accord with mechanics.
17. J35Y4 is a direct injection version with a compression ratio increased to 11.5, with an intake VTEC system that switches at 5000 rpm. Also on the J35Y4, the cooling and exhaust system has been improved, traction on the bottoms has increased and efficiency has increased. Power 310 hp at 6500 rpm, torque 369 Nm at 4500 rpm. Installed on Acura RLX.
18. J35Y5 – analogue of J35Y4 for Acura MDX. Power 290 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 369 Nm at 4500 rpm.
19. J35Y6 – analogue of J35Y5 for the 3rd generation Honda Pilot and Acura TLX. This engine replaced the J35Z6 and, compared to it, it received new cylinder head inlet and outlet channels, the VTEC system was improved (turns on at 5000 rpm), new connecting rods and reshaped pistons were used, and the compression ratio increased to 11.5. A direct fuel injection system also appeared, the engine cooling system and exhaust were improved.

Honda 3.5 V6 J35 Service

Maintenance of the engine  should be carried out every 15,000 km, but, as with any engine, it is recommended to reduce the period by 1.5 times in order to increase the life of the engine. To prevent other malfunctions, during each maintenance it is recommended to diagnose the electronic engine control unit for errors.

Honda 3.5 V6 J35 Engine Faults and repairs

As with any engine, the Honda 3.5 V6 J35 has its own malfunctions typical of it. So, the main ones are:

1. Oil leak through VCM gaskets. A very common problem on Honda Pilots. If you found it in time, then you should buy a set of gaskets and replace them.
2. Engine versions equipped with VCM are notorious for oil leaks from system gaskets.
3. A drop in the lubrication level here very quickly leads to wear of the camshaft cams.
4. Camshaft cam wear on J35Z. This happens if the valve clearances are not adjusted in time (every 45 thousand km) and occurs after 100 thousand km. A characteristic metallic sound indicates this and the problem is solved by replacing the camshaft.
5. The engine speed at idle floats due to contamination of the throttle or injectors
6. Monitor the condition of the timing belt, it runs 90,000 km, and when the valve breaks, it bends
7. The cause of unstable operation of the internal combustion engine is often unadjusted valves.

Otherwise, everything is more or less normal, the main thing is to serve it on time, pour good oil, good gasoline and everything will drive for a long time and reliably.

Conclusion

The Honda 3.5 V6 J35 engine is a simple and reliable engine. Maintenance can be done by yourself. Due to the simplicity of the design, it can be repaired independently