Honda’s 3.5 litre V6 has carried a lot of families, boats and trailers over the years. It sits in the Odyssey, the Pilot, the Ridgeline and the Acura MDX, and most of those vehicles are still worth keeping when the engine finally gives out. If yours has, and you are looking for a Honda J35A engine for sale, you are in the right place.
We sell tested, fairly used J35A engines and ship them worldwide to private owners, workshops and importers. You get photos of the real engine, a written quote, a warranty and a fit check against your VIN before you pay a cent.
Need a price? Send your VIN through our contact page or call +1 (209) 733-0882. You can browse all our Honda engines, or go straight to the Honda J35A Engine for Sale product page to see the price.
This guide covers the J35A specs, the different versions, which vehicles it fits, common faults, seven tips for buying a Honda J35A engine for sale and how to get it fitted and running right.
What Is the Honda J35A?
The J35A is part of the Honda J engine family, a line of V6 engines that Honda designed in the United States and built at its Ohio and Alabama plants. The 3.5 litre first appeared in the 1999 Odyssey and went on to power a long list of Hondas and Acuras for more than a decade.
It is a 60 degree V6 with an aluminium block, cast iron liners and one camshaft per head driven by a toothed belt. Like most Honda engines of the time it uses VTEC, switching cam profiles to give decent low-end pull and a stronger top end. It is smooth, quiet and tough, which is why a Honda J35A engine for sale is still one of the most common requests we get from Honda owners.
Later on Honda added Variable Cylinder Management, or VCM, to some versions. VCM shuts down three cylinders at a steady cruise to save fuel. It works, but it also brought a few problems of its own, which we cover below.
Honda J35A Engine Specifications
These are the core numbers. Power and torque vary by model and year, so we always confirm the sub-code before quoting a Honda J35A engine for sale.
| Layout | 60 degree V6, petrol |
| Displacement | 3,471 cc (3.5 litre) |
| Bore x stroke | 89 mm x 93 mm |
| Block | Aluminium with cast iron cylinder liners |
| Heads | Aluminium, SOHC per bank, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Valve control | VTEC, with VCM on some later versions |
| Compression ratio | About 9.4:1 to 11.0:1 |
| Power | About 205 to 290 hp, depending on model and year |
| Torque | About 310 to 350 Nm |
| Fuel system | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Timing drive | Toothed belt, interference engine |
| Oil capacity | About 4.3 litres with filter |
J35A Versions and Sub-Codes
Honda used a long run of sub-codes, J35A1 through J35A9, and later J35Z and J35Y engines that share the same basic design. For buyers, it is easier to think in groups.
Early J35A (about 1999 to 2004)
Odyssey and first generation MDX engines. No VCM, simple and very durable. A great choice if your vehicle came with one.
Mid J35A (Pilot, Ridgeline and mid-2000s Odyssey)
More power, revised intake and still no VCM in most applications. This is the Honda J35A engine for sale we ship most often and the one our product page price is based on.
VCM engines
Found in some later Odyssey trims and related models. They need the matching engine computer, active engine mounts and wiring.
J35A8 high output
Used in the Acura TL Type-S and RL. Higher compression and more power. We quote these separately.
The engine code is stamped on the front of the block, just under the timing belt cover. If you cannot find it, send us your VIN and we will work it out for you before you choose a Honda J35A engine for sale.
Vehicles That Use the J35A
- Honda Odyssey, about 1999 to 2010
- Honda Pilot, about 2003 to 2008
- Honda Ridgeline, about 2006 to 2008
- Acura MDX, about 2001 to 2006
- Acura TL Type-S, 2007 to 2008
- Acura RL and Honda Legend, about 2005 to 2008
- Honda Inspire, Lagreat and Elysion in some markets
Later Pilots, Ridgelines and Accords moved to J35Z and J35Y engines. They are related but not always a direct swap. Tell us the year and model and we will match the correct Honda J35A engine for sale, or quote the later engine if that is what your vehicle needs.
Why J35A Engines Fail
The J35A does not usually wear out on its own. When we look at the engines people are replacing, the story is nearly always one of these:
- A snapped timing belt. It is an interference engine, so the valves hit the pistons.
- Overheating after a radiator, hose or water pump failure, often while towing.
- Oil starvation on VCM engines that burned oil between changes and ran low.
- Neglected oil changes, leading to sludge and worn bearings.
So before you fit a Honda J35A engine for sale, find out which of those killed the old one and deal with it. Otherwise the new engine is living on borrowed time.
Common J35A Problems in Detail
Timing belt
Honda calls for a change at about 105,000 miles or 7 years. Do the water pump, tensioner and idlers at the same time. On a Honda J35A engine for sale with no records, change the belt before you drive it hard.
VCM oil use and fouled plugs
When three cylinders shut down, oil can get past the rings on those cylinders. Over time this causes oil burning, fouled spark plugs on the rear bank and misfires. Some owners fit a device to stop VCM from engaging. We tell you up front whether an engine has VCM.
Engine mounts
VCM vehicles use active mounts to cancel vibration. When they fail, the vehicle shakes at idle or when VCM switches on. Worn mounts are common on all high mileage J35A vehicles.
EGR port clogging
Some Odyssey and Pilot engines build up carbon in the EGR passages in the intake, which causes misfires. Cleaning them out fixes it.
Valve clearance
The J35A uses screw adjusters, so the valves need checking from time to time. Tight valves cause rough running and can burn a valve.
Oil leaks
Valve cover gaskets, spark plug tube seals and the rear cam seals can seep with age. All cheap to fix while the engine is out.
None of these make the J35A a bad engine. They are just what to plan for when you buy a Honda J35A engine for sale.
7 Proven Tips for Buying a Honda J35A Engine for Sale
1. Match the sub-code and VCM status
A VCM engine will not run properly in a non-VCM vehicle without changing the computer, wiring and mounts. Get the code confirmed in writing.
2. Ask for compression on all six cylinders
The numbers should be close to each other. A low cylinder on the rear bank of a VCM engine can mean ring wear from oil burning.
3. Ask about the timing belt
Find out if there is any record of a belt change. If not, plan on doing it. Any honest seller of a Honda J35A engine for sale will tell you what they know.
4. Look inside the oil filler
A clean, golden-brown film is good. Thick black sludge means the engine missed oil changes.
5. Check the donor vehicle
An engine from a Pilot or Ridgeline that towed every weekend has lived a different life to one from a lightly used Odyssey. Ask.
6. Insist on real photos
You want pictures of the actual Honda J35A engine for sale, with the engine code visible, not a catalogue image.
7. Get the warranty in writing
Know what it covers, how long it lasts and what you need to do to keep it valid.
How We Test Every Honda J35A Engine for Sale
- We record the code, VCM status, mileage and donor vehicle where known
- Compression test on all six cylinders
- Check oil and coolant for contamination
- Look under the oil filler cap and valve covers for sludge
- Check the timing belt condition
- Turn the engine over by hand and listen for noise
- Photograph the engine from every side, including the code
- Drain, cap and pack for shipping
More about our process is in our guide to tested used engines. Anything we find goes into your notes before you buy.
Do Not Forget the Transmission
This is the part a lot of people learn the hard way. Many Odyssey and Pilot automatic transmissions from this era have a weak reputation. If your gearbox is slipping, flaring between shifts or the fluid smells burnt, sort it while everything is apart. Fitting a fresh Honda J35A engine for sale to a dying transmission just moves the problem. We also stock used transmissions and can quote the two together.
What Comes With the Engine
A complete engine usually includes the block and heads, intake manifold, fuel rail, injectors, throttle body where fitted, oil pan, oil pump and timing covers. It is quickest to fit. Alternators, AC compressors, power steering pumps and wiring vary, and your quote lists exactly what you get.
A long block is the core only. It costs less and suits you if your own intake and sensors are healthy. Either way, the Honda J35A engine for sale you receive is the one in your photos.
Honda J35A Engine Price: What Affects It
The current price is on our Honda J35A product page. That price is for a complete, fairly used J35A from a Pilot, Ridgeline or Odyssey. The final cost depends on:
- The sub-code and whether it has VCM
- Mileage
- Complete engine or long block
- Extra parts included
- Shipping method and destination
Budget for labour, a timing belt kit, mounts, fluids and gaskets as well. Our guide to replacement engine cost breaks the whole job down.
Used, Rebuilt or Remanufactured?
A rebuild of your own engine can make sense if the block and heads are sound and you have a shop you trust. A remanufactured engine costs the most. A tested used engine is the quickest and cheapest. Our guide to remanufactured vs rebuilt engines explains the trade-offs. Because the J35A is so durable, a good Honda J35A engine for sale often outlasts a cheap rebuild.
Fitting Tips From the Workshop
- Find out why the old engine failed and fix the cause.
- Fit a new timing belt, water pump, tensioner and idlers unless the belt was just done.
- Replace the engine mounts. On VCM vehicles, check the active mounts work.
- Clean the throttle body and check the EGR passages.
- Check and set the valve clearance if the history is unknown.
- Fit new spark plugs.
- Flush the radiator or replace it, and fit fresh Honda coolant.
- Fill with the correct oil grade before the first start.
A Honda-savvy workshop can fit a Honda J35A engine for sale in a day or two. Take photos of every hose and connector before you pull the old engine.
First Start and Break-In
Once the Honda J35A engine for sale is in, disable the fuel pump and crank for a few seconds to build oil pressure. Start it, let it idle and check for leaks. Bring it to temperature, bleed the cooling system and watch the gauge.
Drive gently for the first few hundred miles and avoid towing until after the first oil change. Change the oil and filter at around 500 to 1,000 miles. After that, follow the normal service schedule.
Notes for Owners Who Tow
A lot of Pilot and Ridgeline owners tow boats, campers and trailers. That puts heat into the engine and the transmission. Fit a good radiator, consider a transmission cooler and change fluids a little more often. Treat a Honda J35A engine for sale this way and it will handle towing for years.
Keeping Your J35A Healthy
- Change the oil on time, and check the level between changes on VCM engines.
- Change the timing belt on schedule.
- Check valve clearance at the intervals Honda recommends.
- Keep the cooling system clean.
- Replace worn mounts before they crack other parts.
J35A vs J35Z and J35Y: What Changed
Honda kept improving the 3.5 V6, and the later engines got new codes. The J35Z arrived around 2008 in the Accord, Pilot and Ridgeline. Most J35Z engines have VCM, and some use a different intake, different sensors and an updated engine computer. The J35Y came later still, with direct injection on some versions and a different fuel system.
The blocks look alike and many internal parts are shared, which is why people assume they swap freely. They do not, at least not without moving over the intake, wiring, sensors and sometimes the computer. If your vehicle left the factory with a J35A, a J35A is the easy fit. If it came with a J35Z, we will quote that instead of forcing a Honda J35A engine for sale into the wrong vehicle.
Marine fans may also know that Honda’s larger outboard motors share a lot with this V6. That is a nice bit of trivia, but marine engines use different parts and are not a swap for a car engine.
Signs Your J35A Needs Replacing
Plenty of J35A problems can be fixed without pulling the engine. Misfires from fouled plugs, rough idle from carbon and leaks from gaskets are all repairs. A replacement starts to make sense when you see:
- A deep knock from the bottom end, especially after the oil light came on
- Coolant in the oil or white smoke after an overheat
- A snapped timing belt with low compression on several cylinders afterwards
- Heavy oil burning that new plugs and a VCM fix cannot cure
- Metal in the oil filter or a seized engine
If you are not sure, send us the symptoms or a workshop report. We will tell you honestly whether a Honda J35A engine for sale is the right move or whether a repair would do. We would rather lose a sale than sell you an engine you do not need.
For Workshops and Importers
Odysseys and Pilots are common in North America, the Middle East and parts of Africa and Latin America, and workshops in those markets see a steady stream of tired J35A engines. We can quote several engines at once and ship them together in one container to cut the freight cost per engine. Every Honda J35A engine for sale in a trade order is labelled with its code, VCM status and quote reference, with photos and test notes you can pass on to your own customers. Ask about pairing engines with transmissions in the same shipment.
Worldwide Shipping
We ship to North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Pacific, by sea or air. Every Honda J35A engine for sale is drained, capped, strapped down and packed on a pallet or in a crate, then shipped with tracking and export paperwork. Our shipping policy has the details.
How to Order
- Send your VIN through the contact page or call +1 (209) 733-0882.
- We confirm the right Honda J35A engine for sale and send photos.
- You get a written quote with engine, parts and shipping listed separately.
- You pay by bank transfer, the only payment method we accept. See our billing terms.
- We ship with tracking and send the documents.
First time buying an engine online? Read how to buy a used engine online.
Warranty and Returns
Every Honda J35A engine for sale we ship comes with a written warranty, and the terms are on your quote before you pay. See our used engine warranty page and our refund and returns policy.
Why Buy From NJ Global Auto Parts
We check every Honda J35A engine for sale ourselves, match it to your VIN, send photos of the real engine and tell you about anything we find. We deal with private owners and trade buyers and ship worldwide every week. Learn more about us.
More Honda and Japanese Engines
Read our overview of Honda car engines for sale, our guide to the Honda K24A and our Honda B18C engine guide. We also sell the Honda K20A, the Subaru EJ25, the Mitsubishi 4G64 and the Mazda 13B rotary.
Quick Summary
The J35A is one of Honda’s toughest engines. Match the sub-code and VCM status, change the timing belt, fix the cooling system and check the transmission while you are at it. Do that with a tested Honda J35A engine for sale and your Odyssey, Pilot or Ridgeline can keep going for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a Honda J35A engine for sale with a warranty?
Right here. Every engine we ship comes with a written warranty, with the terms on your quote.
How do I know which Honda J35A engine for sale fits my vehicle?
Send us your VIN. We confirm the sub-code and VCM status and only quote a matching engine.
Is the J35A reliable?
Yes. With timing belt changes and regular oil changes, many go well past 200,000 miles.
Can I fit a non-VCM engine in a VCM vehicle?
It is possible with the right computer and wiring, but it is far simpler to replace like with like.
Does the J35A have a timing belt or chain?
A belt. Change it about every 105,000 miles or 7 years.
Do you sell the Acura Type-S engine?
Yes, when we have one. Ask and we will check stock.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, by sea or air with tracking.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer only. Details come with your quote.
Get Your Honda Back on the Road
If your Odyssey, Pilot or Ridgeline is sitting with a dead V6, it does not have to be the end. Send us your VIN and we will confirm the match, send photos and give you a clear price on a tested Honda J35A engine for sale, delivered wherever you are.