New (to me) 01 insight needs work.

[EvanB]

Hello.

I recently picked up a 2001 insight (mt) with approx 46k miles.

The bad news it is was sitting, unused un touched in a carport in Arizona for the last 6ish years.

I have begun working on the car, flushing out the fluids, checking the hoses and belts. And I will get to the tires once the car runs.

I removed the IMA pack and dropped it off with a nice person who has a grid charger who said they may be able to help.

I have a few general questions.

1. What other systems / things should I do before the car is ready to start / drive?

2. If my IMA pack is dead (which it may be as it measured 0 volts (really)) is 2k for a new (rebuilt) pack the going rate?

3. I have found 2 vendors for rebuilt packs, how many are out there?

[TopFuelTim]

I recommend Eli (Bumblebee Batteries), who is a long time member of this forum for a new IMA battery.

My 0.02 worth,
Tim Glover

[Willie Williford]

Posting your location in your profile may help some Insighters in your area assisting.
If you are in AZ Matt is closer than Eli.

HybridReVolt: Hybrid Battery Repair

Willie

[gilbertguy]

If it sat that long I recommend you flush all fluids: oil, transmission, coolant, brakes, clutch. Just remember that the coolant has to be bleed on the top of the engine or it will trap air in the system and you will cook your engine, also need to have heater turned on high when bleeding coolent. There are threads on how to bleed system here on the forum.

[Eli]

The IMA battery might come back better than you would expect, but it will likely be weak.

Discharging to 0V is better than.. just about anything in between. It's going to need to be primed though - charged and discharged very slowly to wake it back up.

[EvanB]

Originally Posted by Eli

The IMA battery might come back better than you would expect, but it will likely be weak.

Discharging to 0V is better than.. just about anything in between. It's going to need to be primed though - charged and discharged very slowly to wake it back up.

Thanks for the hope Eli. I am hoping for the best. But know what this AZ sun can do I am not getting my hopes up. It only took a few weeks in the sun to kill my Civic's IMA Now I only park in the shade.

[jerrydelrey]

The coolant is good to 120k miles right. I don't see any reason to flush it. Unless it's not the original blue stuff, and brown.

Maybe just top it off.

[Eli]

Time factors much more than mileage when it comes to fluids and is why there is usually a mileage and time interval given.

All the fluids should definitely be changed in a car that has been sitting for 6 years. Coolant probably isn't as important as brake fluid and oil, but it's still a good idea.

[EvanB]

The Clutch fluid was just nasty, and there was so much air the clutch pedal had nothing behind it until it was bled. (talk about an annoying bleeder placement)

Also getting to the gas tank and fuel pump was a pain.

I am surprised how supple and fresh the bushings and hoses feel.

[freezin4]

Air filter, and Cabin Air filter. Just to make sure the paper isn't deteriorated or critters didn't move in.