2001 Honda Insight ZE1 - Citrus Yellow
Discussion
mb148 said:
Great little car and looking forward to more updates, love you went for dealer plates!
It was actually an old thread on PH that put me onto dealers being cheaper than a lot of the online resellers, so with a fresh V5 I thought it would be fun to have the Honda logo on them.The fact that Yeovil is called 'Horizon' leant a certain sci fi edge too - not a bad alternative name for an innovative car, that...
Cracking car and citrus is the best colour.
My Mrs wants to switch my silver/grey one for a citrus one
Good luck with all the work, I recommend hitting it all at once and getting it as right as possible.
Mine failed MOT this year on 2 leaky rear shocks, now I've got x2 Gaz Shocks and Scott's (Killer3cylinder.com) springs to sort the rear out. You've just missed a wee group buy organised on the UK Facebook group.
My Mrs wants to switch my silver/grey one for a citrus one
Good luck with all the work, I recommend hitting it all at once and getting it as right as possible.
Mine failed MOT this year on 2 leaky rear shocks, now I've got x2 Gaz Shocks and Scott's (Killer3cylinder.com) springs to sort the rear out. You've just missed a wee group buy organised on the UK Facebook group.
-Ad- said:
Cracking car and citrus is the best colour.
My Mrs wants to switch my silver/grey one for a citrus one
Good luck with all the work, I recommend hitting it all at once and getting it as right as possible.
Mine failed MOT this year on 2 leaky rear shocks, now I've got x2 Gaz Shocks and Scott's (Killer3cylinder.com) springs to sort the rear out. You've just missed a wee group buy organised on the UK Facebook group.
Thanks, I've heard from so many owners, almost all 'on the sly' as if they are concerned about their petrolhead credentials! Makes me chuckle; I remeber my 17 year old self in 2001 having to 'go with the flow' by being snarky about hybrid tech, all the while my eyes glittering with dreams of gliding through downtown Osaka in neon-drenched evening drizzle...My Mrs wants to switch my silver/grey one for a citrus one
Good luck with all the work, I recommend hitting it all at once and getting it as right as possible.
Mine failed MOT this year on 2 leaky rear shocks, now I've got x2 Gaz Shocks and Scott's (Killer3cylinder.com) springs to sort the rear out. You've just missed a wee group buy organised on the UK Facebook group.
Some further easy fixes and tinkering this weekend - first up, the aerial was looking forlorn:
I'm typically an 'OEM' type, but for some reason a smaller aerial attracted me, to match the aero washer jet and other 'minimal, smooth' adornments of the car's design ethos. I will never use the radio, so offering this up for judgement:
The rear wiper was completely past it, and while poking around Insight Central a large number of posters advocate removal...I though its worth a go as a reversable mod.
The wiper popped off with some gentle encouragement, then a 22mm socket on the Stahlwille took care of the securing nut.
Inside, a cackling parliament of fragile clips await you, each ready the split, crack or fall into some nether-world of the bodywork, ready to rattle at you until the end of time. Two little fasteners near the latch 'push in' to release, a neat design, and the rest just requires 'firm encouragement to disengage'. Sure.
Three 10mm bolts and an unclipped connector later, the wiper was out, shedding 500g and a fresh 37mm blank with some sealant tidies it nicely.
I applied some indepth glass cleaner action inside and out, then RainX to encourage hydrophobia. I think this is a significant improvement:
On the subject of fasteners and clips, I couldn't leave some of the missing screws and clips in the wheel arches and trim alone. It simply Would Not Do to have unsymmetrical holes.
First up, the rear wheel spats had 'ZusZ' (or something like that) fasteners, with a large flathead slot. I had a premonition of a future rainy nighttime breakdown where a flathead is not present, so ordered a test 'D type' 21mm for the missing screw, which can be operated with human fingers only. Hopefully, I'll always have a set of those on me.
Perfect! Three more ordered.
But wait... more clips and screws are missing... I dug out my store of used bits, refitted the wheelarch liners, undertrays and aligned a few items. Much better!
With those little wins completed, I'm starting a 'grid deep disharge cycle' procedure, following the current level of conjecture over on the Insight Central forum... wish me luck...
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 24th September 09:39
-Ad- said:
Cracking work.
Do you have a link to where you grabbed those rear wheel cover d-ring fixings? I hate the flat headed ones with a passion.
Enjoy the deep discharge procedure. The last time I did it, I only used 1 bulb, so the full multi discharge/charger cycles took a week
Yes of course - I tried a few but these DZUS are from speedyfasteners, specfication:Do you have a link to where you grabbed those rear wheel cover d-ring fixings? I hate the flat headed ones with a passion.
Enjoy the deep discharge procedure. The last time I did it, I only used 1 bulb, so the full multi discharge/charger cycles took a week
Dzus Length: 21mm
Head Style: Black Bail Handle (D-Ring)
Cambs_Stuart said:
Just remind me what a grid deep discharge cycle is?
I didn't know either until two weeks ago, and there are many, many schools of thought, but its the practise of charging and discharging a battery to attempt ot bring it back to full functionality. For the Insight, there is a crowded forum and two decades worth of very smart people exploring all the options. I'm going with three full charge and discharge cycles, over about 4 days, using some contrations that came wiht the car.If it works, I might be back to normal motoring with a happy bank balance, if not we'll be setting a date in the calendar to vitis Peter Perkins in Yorkshire...
Dzus Length: 21mm
Head Style: Black Bail Handle (D-Ring)
Many thanks for that, I'll get some ordered to use, then keep the honda ones as spares.
Fingers crossed on the battery, but it's probably dead.
A pity you didn't get it sooner as Peter was doing a Lithium group buy upgrade, but the packs aren't available from the supplier he got them from, so it was a one off batch it seems.
Thanks all - and yes its 4x100!
Its been a highly technical week of grid charging and cycling the battery this week... I have a notebook full of voltages and timestamps, and took the average of conjecture across 20 years of smart people on Honda forums experimenting.
In short, I completed three full charge/discharge cycles using some Back To The Future-esque equipment a previous owner constructed. I also found in the history a similar record of one of these cycles. I'm not electrically adept - mechanics, metals and petrol bits fine, magic coloured cables that move electrons (controversial statement), not so much.
Tehre's not much to show pictorially, but it would make for a good sideplot in a sitcom as I would check it before heaidnt o work, get anxious about the discharge rate and have to call my wife to hurry over and check the numbers, label switches and generally get wound up about moving numbers on a screen. Which is my day job, so this was a proper bus driver's holiday. I was also paranoid the fans on the battery pack would fail, or some other calamity that would begin a Homer Simpson-esque meltdown on my driveway.
Yesterday evening I tentatively unplugged the equipment, reconnected the 12V battery, muttered a quick prayer to Nikolai Tesla's memory, and turned the key.
Charging light first as it recalibrates... good...
Battery meter slowly building as it retabulates the 'State Of Charge' (SOC)...
...and we're back to full health.
OK, so far so good - time for a quick, gentle drive.
For the first time the regenerative braking kicked in, which caught me off guard. The Auto Stop worked correctly when clutch is down at a stop... good...also correct operation - time to set a 0-60mph.
Result! The ASST kicked in, a noticeable boost to the car's performance (and smooth running)!
In the last 24hrs, 70 miles have been dispatched over varied driving, and so far, it appears to be running like it should.
Now the test is - how many miles will it go without throwing a code or havign an issue? TIme will tell, but for now its great to know it has the *capability to run correctly. This motor ASST makes all the difference! Its really, wonderfully satifyign to drive and super smooth. The motor gets you up inclines and out of junctions neatly, the steering is sharp, the size and weight making this a delightful machine for cruising, even if the extra long gears ensure it will never be an Alfa GTV. Speaking of which... very happy with our two car garage at present.
Its been a highly technical week of grid charging and cycling the battery this week... I have a notebook full of voltages and timestamps, and took the average of conjecture across 20 years of smart people on Honda forums experimenting.
In short, I completed three full charge/discharge cycles using some Back To The Future-esque equipment a previous owner constructed. I also found in the history a similar record of one of these cycles. I'm not electrically adept - mechanics, metals and petrol bits fine, magic coloured cables that move electrons (controversial statement), not so much.
Tehre's not much to show pictorially, but it would make for a good sideplot in a sitcom as I would check it before heaidnt o work, get anxious about the discharge rate and have to call my wife to hurry over and check the numbers, label switches and generally get wound up about moving numbers on a screen. Which is my day job, so this was a proper bus driver's holiday. I was also paranoid the fans on the battery pack would fail, or some other calamity that would begin a Homer Simpson-esque meltdown on my driveway.
Yesterday evening I tentatively unplugged the equipment, reconnected the 12V battery, muttered a quick prayer to Nikolai Tesla's memory, and turned the key.
Charging light first as it recalibrates... good...
Battery meter slowly building as it retabulates the 'State Of Charge' (SOC)...
...and we're back to full health.
OK, so far so good - time for a quick, gentle drive.
For the first time the regenerative braking kicked in, which caught me off guard. The Auto Stop worked correctly when clutch is down at a stop... good...also correct operation - time to set a 0-60mph.
Result! The ASST kicked in, a noticeable boost to the car's performance (and smooth running)!
In the last 24hrs, 70 miles have been dispatched over varied driving, and so far, it appears to be running like it should.
Now the test is - how many miles will it go without throwing a code or havign an issue? TIme will tell, but for now its great to know it has the *capability to run correctly. This motor ASST makes all the difference! Its really, wonderfully satifyign to drive and super smooth. The motor gets you up inclines and out of junctions neatly, the steering is sharp, the size and weight making this a delightful machine for cruising, even if the extra long gears ensure it will never be an Alfa GTV. Speaking of which... very happy with our two car garage at present.
Great job on the deep discharge cycling procedure. I really hope your battery is in the recoverable camp and keeps going!
Have a read up on the brake/clutch switch mod as a way of increasing your MPG and hypermiling geekery. I'm hoping to complete this at some point also.
https://www.insightcentral.net/threads/brake-and-c...
Have a read up on the brake/clutch switch mod as a way of increasing your MPG and hypermiling geekery. I'm hoping to complete this at some point also.
https://www.insightcentral.net/threads/brake-and-c...
Thank you both - after 80 miles, a short trip yesterday threw up the IMA and EML light... but then when I restarted later in the day the battery recharged and it went back to normal operation....
I believe this is standard behaviour for an old Insight, so I (weary sigh) will now read up on code reading and other such OBD flavoured witchcraft...
WIth the SRS and fuel light on, I prioritised decataracting the left headlight with Autosol
An easy win, with some trusted 303 to keep it that way.
Back to the forums and technical archives of P codes...
I believe this is standard behaviour for an old Insight, so I (weary sigh) will now read up on code reading and other such OBD flavoured witchcraft...
WIth the SRS and fuel light on, I prioritised decataracting the left headlight with Autosol
An easy win, with some trusted 303 to keep it that way.
Back to the forums and technical archives of P codes...
Sadly the battery has waned further and we are now back to solely three cylinder thrumminess.
Having spoken with Peter Perkins I'll be reading the blink codes and likely booking it in for a battery replacement and proper assessment.
In the meantime, I busied myself with soem essential - replacing the slightly gooey 195k plastic steering wheel...
The S2000 leather wheel is a well-trodden upgrade path, and with my original wheel having a cutout (presumably for an IMA overide?), I spotted a cheap AF2 and pounced on it.
Battery off, two torx T30 bolts under little flaps to release the airbag; the assembly came out in a minute.
Whatever this is, it can go.
One 14mm bolt and a few clips later, swap accomplished.
Much better! It may not look it, but the feel is a significant tactile improvement, and after a few leather care wipes it has come up nicely.
Next up, the first oil change at 195,000. The service history showed reassuringly frequent services, but with various grades of oil. Naturally, the forum debates of 0W20, 5W30, 5W20, C3PO will rage until the end of time, but i went for original spec 0W20 and a K&N filter.
First step, jack up the car... hmm missing undertrays... another addition to the list.
Carefully undid the sump plug as the entire assembly is various alchemic lightweight alloy for a 17mm socket. Fortunately the gorilla that did up the plug on my Alfa GTV has not been near the Insight.
Old Mahle filter required a clamp to loosen but no drama, just awkward access...
New K&N version on without fuss.
I've never had actual 'green' oil before - 2.49 litres of this disconcertingly flat Appletise, and the engine should be all set to go to ... perhaps ... 200k? Damn, I've jinxed it now!
Having spoken with Peter Perkins I'll be reading the blink codes and likely booking it in for a battery replacement and proper assessment.
In the meantime, I busied myself with soem essential - replacing the slightly gooey 195k plastic steering wheel...
The S2000 leather wheel is a well-trodden upgrade path, and with my original wheel having a cutout (presumably for an IMA overide?), I spotted a cheap AF2 and pounced on it.
Battery off, two torx T30 bolts under little flaps to release the airbag; the assembly came out in a minute.
Whatever this is, it can go.
One 14mm bolt and a few clips later, swap accomplished.
Much better! It may not look it, but the feel is a significant tactile improvement, and after a few leather care wipes it has come up nicely.
Next up, the first oil change at 195,000. The service history showed reassuringly frequent services, but with various grades of oil. Naturally, the forum debates of 0W20, 5W30, 5W20, C3PO will rage until the end of time, but i went for original spec 0W20 and a K&N filter.
First step, jack up the car... hmm missing undertrays... another addition to the list.
Carefully undid the sump plug as the entire assembly is various alchemic lightweight alloy for a 17mm socket. Fortunately the gorilla that did up the plug on my Alfa GTV has not been near the Insight.
Old Mahle filter required a clamp to loosen but no drama, just awkward access...
New K&N version on without fuss.
I've never had actual 'green' oil before - 2.49 litres of this disconcertingly flat Appletise, and the engine should be all set to go to ... perhaps ... 200k? Damn, I've jinxed it now!
Spinakerr said:
I've never had actual 'green' oil before - 2.49 litres of this disconcertingly flat Appletise, and the engine should be all set to go to ... perhaps ... 200k? Damn, I've jinxed it now!
Never had green oil? Wash your mouth out with Duckhams!
I love the Insight. I used to have a (much missed) Mk2 CRX 16v and the looks are very reminiscent. I hope the new battery restores its fortunes.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff