How easy is it to service an Insight Mk2 yourself?

[DavidGM]

Does the half-hidden engine in an Insight Mk2 make it difficult to service the car yourself?

I’ve been driving for years in a car which is over 20 years old, and I do the regular servicing myself with the help of a friend, (spark plugs, oil, filter etc), rather than take it to a garage. I’m planning to buy a newer car, and took a real liking to the Insight Mk2 when I drove one. But I got a shock when I looked in the engine compartment. The windscreen comes so far forwards, that only the front half of the engine is accessible, while the back half is hidden under the bodywork.

Does this make it really difficult to do regular servicing and minor repairs?

How do the professionals do it? Do they access the engine from under the car, or take the engine out? Does it mean that if you do need major work on the engine, the professionals will charge a lot of money because they’ll have to spend so much extra time getting to the right bits to work on?

Any contributions on this would be most welcome. I’ve saved a lot of money by avoiding taking my car to professionals, and I don’t want this come to an end.

[Cobb]

Service? The back side hides the exhaust manifold and the rear 4 spark plugs.

These cars do not require that much service than changing fluid and filters. Rebuilding a motor is a job in it self and removing the it from the car allows for a complete vs ghett rebuild.

I am sure you remove the cowl over the engine and remove the wiper assembly.

[DavidGM]

Thank you for your reply. You’ve made me feel a little less worried.

You say that only the exhaust manifold and rear 4 spark plugs are at the back of the engine.

I suppose as far as the exhaust is concerned, that’s only a worry for the garage that replaces the exhaust system when it wears out.

But concerning the plugs, do you happen to know how hard it is to take them out, even if only to inspect them? I gather it’s not too difficult to remove the plate that the wipers are mounted on, and this aids access to them. Or am I worrying unnecessarily? I’ve also heard that the Insight Mk2 comes with long lasting spark plugs, so perhaps there’s not much need to inspect them all that often.

[Ehetleos]

Originally Posted by DavidGM

I’ve also heard that the Insight Mk2 comes with long lasting spark plugs, so perhaps there’s not much need to inspect them all that often.

The (European at least) I2 comes with iridium (or cold-type) spark plugs that never need servicing and last for almost a lifetime (about 110.000 km)
Don't worry that much about them.

[waterdog]

I have not dealt with the plugs yet, but while doing my first oil change (over the weekend), I was pleased to see a very thoughtful little access panel for the transmission drain plug, and the belly pan removal/replacement for doing the oil change was not bad at all once I figured out how the two screws in the back worked (I did not notice the inserts when I took the screws out so I was surprised to find a couple of plastic inserts on the ground after I removed the pan). So if Honda was as thoughtful for the top side access as for the bottom side access, I would not expect a problem.