The cylinders are inside the engine block, arranged as a two-bank, 60-degree V6 with three cylinders per bank.
The 2016 Odyssey uses a 3.5-liter V6 engine mounted transversely for front-wheel drive. The cylinders sit in two banks on opposite sides of the engine’s central valley, with the cylinder heads covered and each cylinder fed by its own ignition coil and spark plug.
Engine layout and cylinder banks
To visualize the layout, think of two banks of three cylinders arranged in a V shape. Here’s how they are arranged in the Odyssey’s 3.5 L V6.
- Front bank (closest to the radiator/front of the vehicle): three cylinders on the side of the engine facing forward. This bank is one side of the V and shares its cylinder heads with the intake plumbing on top.
- Rear bank (closest to the firewall): three cylinders on the opposite side of the V, facing the engine bay rear. The cylinders are on the other cylinder head and have similar spark plug/coil locations.
These two banks together form the complete 6-cylinder arrangement. Access to the cylinders for maintenance is through the engine bay, typically starting with removing the engine cover to reveal the heads, spark plug wells, and coil packs.
Locating the cylinders from above
If you need to confirm which bank you’re working on, use these visual cues when the hood is up and you’ve removed the engine cover.
- Open the hood and remove or lift the engine cover to expose the top of the cylinder heads.
- Identify the two banks: the front bank runs toward the radiator/front of the car; the rear bank runs toward the firewall.
- Look for six ignition coils or spark plug wells (one per cylinder) distributed across both heads.
- Refer to the service manual for exact cylinder numbering for your model year if you need precise bank/cylinder identification for procedures like spark plug replacement.
By understanding the two-bank layout, you can orient yourself quickly for inspections, maintenance, or repairs on the Odyssey’s 3.5 L V6.
Summary
The 2016 Honda Odyssey’s 3.5 L engine is a transverse, 60-degree V6 with two banks of three cylinders. The cylinders sit inside the engine block in front of the driver and passenger sides, split between a front bank toward the radiator and a rear bank toward the firewall. For maintenance, remove the engine cover to see the heads and coil packs, and use visual cues to distinguish the two banks.