Honda Odyssey 3.5L V6 Firing Order: What It Is and How to Identify Cylinder Positions

The firing order for every Honda Odyssey with the 3.5-liter V6 (J35 series) engine is 1-4-2-5-3-6. This applies across model years and variants. Below, you’ll find how the cylinders are numbered, which bank is which, and simple ways to verify orientation on your van.

Which Odyssey years and engines this applies to

The Odyssey has used multiple versions of Honda’s J35 V6 since 1999. Regardless of variant, the firing order remains the same. The following list shows the major Odyssey J35 engine families covered by the 1-4-2-5-3-6 firing order.

• J35A-series (1999–2004): J35A1/A4 and related variants
• J35A/J35Z-series (2005–2017): including J35A6, J35Z8, etc., with VCM on some trims
• J35Y-series (2018–present): including J35Y6/J35Yx used in current Odysseys

Across these generations, Honda maintained the same firing sequence, so the 1-4-2-5-3-6 order is valid for all 3.5L Odyssey models.

Cylinder numbering and bank locations on the Odyssey

Knowing where each cylinder sits is crucial for diagnosing misfires and replacing ignition components. On the transverse-mounted J35 in the Odyssey, “Bank 1” is the rear bank closest to the firewall, and “Bank 2” is the front bank closest to the radiator.

• Bank 1 (rear/firewall side): Cylinders 1–2–3 arranged from the passenger side toward the driver side.
• Bank 2 (front/radiator side): Cylinders 4–5–6 arranged from the passenger side toward the driver side.
• Diagnostic note: “Bank 1” oxygen sensors and codes (e.g., P013x, P015x, P0301–P0303) refer to the rear bank with cylinders 1–3; “Bank 2” refers to the front bank with cylinders 4–6.

This layout applies to left-hand-drive Odysseys common in North America; the passenger-to-driver orientation is reversed on right-hand-drive markets, but the bank and numbering scheme (rear = 1–2–3, front = 4–5–6) remains the same.

How to visually confirm cylinder 1 and the banks

If you’re standing at the front of the van with the hood open, use the steps below to quickly confirm cylinder positions before servicing coils or plugs.

1. Identify the two cylinder banks: the rear bank sits near the firewall; the front bank sits near the radiator and fans.
2. Locate cylinder 1 on the rear bank at the passenger-side end; cylinders 2 and 3 follow toward the driver side.
3. On the front bank (closest to the radiator), cylinder 4 starts at the passenger-side end, followed by 5 and 6 toward the driver side.
4. Cross-check the under-hood emissions/vacuum label or the service manual diagram if available; many list bank and cylinder references.

Confirming orientation before replacing parts or reading scan-tool data helps avoid swapping components on the wrong cylinder or bank.

Why the 1-4-2-5-3-6 sequence matters

The 1-4-2-5-3-6 firing order balances power strokes across the V6’s two banks, reducing vibration and improving smoothness and emissions. When diagnosing misfires (P030x), matching the code to the correct cylinder and this sequence helps isolate faulty coils, plugs, injectors, or compression issues.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even experienced DIYers can mix up banks or cylinders. Keep these pitfalls in mind when working on the Odyssey’s J35.

• Confusing Bank 1 and Bank 2: On the J35, Bank 1 is the rear (firewall) bank, not the front bank.
• Assuming sequential firing: The engine does not fire 1-2-3-4-5-6; it fires 1-4-2-5-3-6.
• Swapping coils/plugs on the wrong side: Verify cylinder numbers first, then move components one at a time when diagnosing.

Avoiding these errors saves time and ensures accurate troubleshooting, especially when chasing intermittent misfires.

Summary

The Honda Odyssey’s 3.5L J35 V6 uses a 1-4-2-5-3-6 firing order across all model years and variants. Bank 1 is the rear/firewall side with cylinders 1–2–3; Bank 2 is the front/radiator side with cylinders 4–5–6. Correctly identifying banks and cylinder numbers is essential for efficient maintenance and accurate diagnostics.

Which cylinder is number 2 on a Honda Odyssey?

Information that row of cylinders is going to be called bank. One. And then on the left side of the engine that’s the side of the engine closest to the radiator. You’re going to have cylinders.

What is the firing order of the 3.5 L V6?

And the firing. Order is going to be the same 1 14 2 536. The cylinder locations are going to be when you open the hood. And you look directly at the engine on the left side is going to be 1 2 3.

What is the firing order on a Honda Odyssey 6 cylinder?

The firing order for Honda Odyssey 2011 to 2021 models remains consistent with the previous decade. Maintaining the 1-4-2-5-3-6 sequence for the 6-cylinder engines, Honda Odyssey continues to steer towards efficient combustion.

What is the firing order of the 2012 Honda 3.5 L?

The firing order for the 2012 Honda Pilot equipped with the 3.5 engine is 1-4-2-5-3-6, and the #2 cylinder is located in the middle on the firewall side of the engine.