2000 Insight 5 speed repair & build thread

[Ecky]

The trip button fix is pretty easy.

I think the problem is trying to get the bezel off without dropping the steering wheel. It's not hard to drop, but the temptation to try and work the bezel around it was too great for me.

[Daox]

So, I think I figured out why my car died the other day. Last night on the way home, I was coasting into my driveway. I'm not sure why, but the Insight wasn't charging the 12V at that time, so my voltage was down to 11.6V! When the car died on me the other day, it was also after a fairly long time of coasting. Does the car not charge the 12V while coasting in neutral?

Anyway, I have a new battery. I just have to throw it in.

[Daox]

The new battery seems to be doing its job. I haven't seen the voltage below 13.9V since replacing it.

I also filled up the other day. Unfortunately, amongst my messing around I wiped out my trip odometer. So I have no idea what kind of mileage I got. The MFD said I was in the high 50s I think. Since the fill up, I'm currently at about 71 mpg. Its still not smooth in lean burn, but not quite as horrible as it had been. I'm now going after the EGR valve as I think that is the next thing to attend to. After that, the car should be running nice and smoothly.

One of the next things to address after that is a squeaky rear suspension. Are there sway bar bushings or something that require the occasional lube?

All in, I'm really enjoying this car. It is quite a bit of fun, handles a million times better than the Metro, and the mileage is just incredible. And, I haven't even started modding!

[cowmeat]

They're pretty amazing cars!

The day I drove my first Insight home I was able to get better gas mileage than I had ever gotten in the Festiva, even with the massive amount of P&G I had been doing.

I suggest you get one of Daox's custom 3-button shift knobs, what a lifesaver those are in an Insight! Oh, wait . . . .

[Daox]

A bit of bad news on the Insight. It'll be off the road for a little bit. I had taken the Metro off the road because I smelled gas one day. Well, it turns out that gas was from the Insight, not the Metro (so ironic cause the Metro is a rust bucket). Anyway, I get to fix that now.

Here is what I saw when I took a look at it after work today.





So, I tore the body panel off and found this.

[MetroMPG]

Bummer!

That's the classic spot where these lines rust. Strangely, my salt-bathed Ontario y2k example was fine in that spot.

You're going to LOVE driving the Metro again!!

[Ecky]

Thinking I may hit mine with some paint or clearcoat there.

[Gasoline Fumes]

I don't understand why Honda stopped running the fuel and brake lines inside the car. Portions of my lines look new after 25+ years. But with the level of rustiness the Nut Wagon has reached, what was once inside has become more or less outside.

[Daox]

While I was under the car, I also got a few more shots of issues that'll need addressing at some point or another.

First up, this aluminum plate was bent up from hitting things on the underside of the car. This caused the exhaust to hit it every once in a while. I thought it was a loose heat shield. Thankfully an easy fix that I took care of by hand. Its just sheet aluminum so bending it back down by hand wasn't much work. Any idea what this piece is? My guess is aero panel.

I also wonder how long that flange by the cat is going to last haha. Its looking a bit worse for wear.





Here is the rear engine mount. I figured with the rattly exhaust, this one was bad.





This is the passenger side engine mount. Not too bad, but it'll need attention eventually.





Here is the control arm bushing, again no surprise here.





I also found this bit of handywork.





I haven't really done much research yet, but I'm going to be looking into running those gas lines in plastic versus steel. I believe most newer cars do have plastic fuel lines and that'll ensure they never rust again. Thoughts?

Also, are there polyurethane bushings available for the Insight?

[MetroMPG]

What the heck is that wiring job?