Honda Elysion MPG Drop: Bad Air Valve or Something Worse?

Hey there! I actually dealt with similar issues on my '05 Honda Legend last year. The symptoms you're describing match what I experienced, excessive fuel consumption, CEL, and that distinct exhaust smell. Turned out to be a faulty secondary air valve and some corroded connections to the air pump. Had it fixed at a garage and they had to replace both the valve and clean up the electrical connections. It wasn't a major repair in terms of engine health, but it definitely needed fixing since it affects emissions and fuel efficiency. The mechanic showed me how the old valve was stuck in one position and wasn't regulating air flow properly. From my experience, make sure they test both the valve and the pump connections, sometimes mechanics just replace the valve without checking the electrical bits. Also, have them clear the check engine codes after the repair to make sure no other issues are hiding behind this one. Hope this helps!

Hey again! Thanks so much for sharing that experience with your Legend, sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with! Super helpful to know it was the air valve in your case. I'm definitely going to get both the valve and those connections checked out. By the way, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole fix? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? Thanks!

Hey again! Glad I could help! After my last message, I actually went and had everything fixed, it was exactly what I thought. The mechanic sorted out that faulty air valve and the cable connection to the secondary air pump that was acting up. Total bill came to 95€, which honestly wasn't as bad as I was expecting! Since getting it fixed, my Legend's been running like a dream! No more check engine light, fuel consumption is back to normal, and that annoying exhaust smell is completely gone. It's been about a year now and I haven't had any related issues pop up. The repair totally fixed everything. Just make sure you get a mechanic who'll properly check both the valve and those connections, mine showed me exactly what was wrong, which was pretty reassuring. Worth every penny to get it sorted properly! Let me know how it goes when you get yours fixed, always good to hear if others have the same experience!

Thanks for the follow-up! Just wanted to share that I finally got my car sorted at a new mechanic yesterday. You were spot on about the air valve! The guy found the exact same issues, faulty valve and some sketchy wiring connections. What a relief to finally know what was wrong! Cost me a bit more than yours, but the mechanic was super thorough and even showed me the old parts. Took it for a drive today and wow, what a difference! No more check engine light, the exhaust smell is gone, and it's not guzzling fuel anymore. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, helped me feel more confident about getting it fixed. I'll definitely keep an eye on things, but so far it's running better than it has in months! Thanks again for all your help with this!