Just bought a Insight!

[xxraffyxx]

I just wanted to introduce myself and my insight its a 2001 Monte Carlo Blue, insight with just over 150k miles. I couldn't of asked for a better previous owner. A nice lady who took great care of the vehicle. She kept all records of all the maintenance she had done to the vehicle. The only reason she sold was because she purchased a CVT insight.

history of insight:

• maintenance was performed at a dealer (oil change,fluids, etc.)
• battery was changed oct 2008
• new driver door and driver front fender (deer)
• sparkplugs changed 95k miles
• front and rear brakes pads were changed a few months ago

So far what I've done to the vehicle:

• oil change w/ OEM honda motor oil and oil filter
• new OEM honda transmission fluid
• fix a few loose underbody panels and rear bumper side was alittle loose.
• Cleaned the EGR valve with WD-40

To do list.

• it needs a valve adjustment (I'll have a shop do that for me)
• I want to clean my EGR plate, but I cant access 1 last bolt (tried for 30 mins) I just dont have the proper tools
• I believe the rotors need to be resurfaced or replaced.
• I want to run a fuel cleaner, any recommendations?

any thing else I should add to the To do list?




Thanks!!! to popimp for the help

[GasSavers_maximilian]

Congratulations! Looks like it's in really good condition. I see the front plate reads "California" (at least I think that's what it says), so I assume it wasn't exposed to much in the way of salt?

[thisisntjared]

WOW very nice!!!

did they have rear discs? i thought they were drum brakes. anyway, i wouldnt ever resurface rotors, just replace them. and i wouldnt replace them unless there was a noticable wobble when braking.

[R.I.D.E.]

Rust is not much of a problem with an aluminum body. Rear brakes are drums.
My 2002 CVT just turned 40 k miles, averaged 60.3 MPG for the last 6000 miles.

Learn to hypermile the manual and get 90 MPG.

Congratulations!

regards
gary

[xxraffyxx]

My previous car was a 93 Civic DX and I was able to get 40-45 mpg. So far I've 'only' been able to get 58 mpg on the insight. tire pressure is good (45psi). I've tried driving different speeds on the highway.

I hate to ask such a newbie question, but how can I tell if I'm in lean burn?????? I've tried searching, but all I get is to make sure you get into lean burn.

[R.I.D.E.]

My CVT doesn't have lean burn.

Best way to tell if you are in lean burn is to watch your instantaneous mileage bar graph and when you get in lean burn you will see a significant jump in the instantaneous mileage reading.

It should be at very slight throttle positions (not much at all) when you are cruising on fairly flat ground at normal speeds, probably under 65-70 MPH.

regards
gary

[bowtieguy]

Originally Posted by xxraffyxx

I want to run a fuel cleaner, any recommendations?

Amsoil PI

congrats BTW!

[xxraffyxx]

So I got a look at my EGR plate....
Plate:

Gasket:


here is the gunk I was able to scratch off:


One can of break cleaner later...


Great news I was averaging 58 mpg, now car runs much smoother and I'm easily averaging 65 mpg, but I want to see 80 mpg

[thisisntjared]

WOW thats gross!!! i didnt even notice that there were the channels in the first couple pics. i thought they were just markings a gasket or something. egr is a weird thing....

[GasSavers_NovaResource]

Sweet car. Best of luck with it.

Originally Posted by xxraffyxx

I want to run a fuel cleaner, any recommendations?

Chevron Techron