Insight chugs and won't maintain a level smooth speed
My 2001 Insight with 200k miles and manual trans has developed a problem that feels like it's starving out - it chugs and surges when keeping even steady state throttle pressure. It accelerates fine and strong, but steady speeds it always stutters. This happens mostly at surface street speeds, and nearly any normal RPM, but will surge even at highway. Obviously more pronounced with the AC on. Seems to have started around 175k miles. I've had the injectors cleaned, replaced the plugs around 150k miles, replaced the three ignition coil$ on the advice of my (non-dealer) mechanic. BTW, had the battery and charging circuit recall done back in 2006(?). My charging levels are still normal for what I've experienced throughout the 10 years I've owned it. Mileage is down to 46 to 51 mixed city/hwy.
You haven't mentioned cleaning / replacing the EGR valve and it could be that. Plenty on the Forum about this.
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2005 Insight, UK Spec Silver 5 speed with Alpine stereo, subwoofer & speakers with iPod link, IMA C&C, Shark Fin Aerial, Garmin EcoRoute HD, Skinz sound deadened rear shelf, 'InsightCentral' number plates, 19" rear wiper, Osram nightbreaker plus bulbs
Previous owner of 1999 Japanese Silver 5sp, 2001 UK Citrus 5sp & 2000 Japanese Red CVT Honda Insight - An extraordinary car for ordinary people
The problem you discribed sound similar to the EGR plate/valve issue, it will display the same symtoms where it is fine under acceleration but flat and level with no load it becomes "herky jerky". Has your plate ever been removed and cleaned, I would start there and them move on to possibly the EGR valve. (also know as the Spool Valve)
Unfortunate that you had your mechanic throw all that stuff at it. Should have posted here.
Most mechanics, including dealerships, don't know about nor care about our little cars.
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Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
Thanks. Forgot to mention I did take the EGR off and cleaned what little crud there was. It actually seemed to improve the situation but only for a day, and I chalked it up to a placebo affect, since I "expected" an improvement. But I'll revisit that, since it seems very reasonable. Also forgot to mention that every few days I'll get a check engine code for "too lean", but it clears itself after a few dozen miles. This has been a great commuting car as I put about 60 highway miles a day on it, and I'm willing to invest to keep it going.
You can't clean the EGR valve. The failure is internal. Replace it.
If you mean that you have cleaned the EGR plate, then it's definitely your EGR valve. If you haven't, it would be a good idea to clean the EGR plate before replacing the EGR valve.
Minor issues overall. Make sure to buy the EGR valve(spool valve) online, as it will be much cheaper than at a dealership.
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Insight #1 - Silver '01 5MT @ 158,388 as of 7/11 - Best Tank: 84.5MPG over 807mi
Insight #2 - Silver '01 5MT @ 450,000 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 86.0MPG over 800mi
Insight #3 - Silver '00 5MT, MIMA #163P, BCM Gauge, OBDIIC&C Gauge, BetterBattery @ 228,869 as of 1/12 - Best Tank: 78.4mpg over 687mi
Found this post from last year on the same topic:
Majestic Honda, and look under "spool valve" you shoujld be able to get a brand new EGR vale for $180 shipped. The parts page shows an EGR valve set ($167) AND a Spool valve ($134)... which is it?
Found this post from last year on the same topic:
Majestic Honda, and look under "spool valve" you shoujld be able to get a brand new EGR vale for $180 shipped. The parts page shows an EGR valve set ($167) AND a Spool valve ($134)... which is it?
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Insight chugs and won't maintain a level smooth speed
Egr
