[KenSmith]

I have a 2001 Insight with 210K miles on it - very happy with it. But during the last few months I've experienced almost total loss of power when I hit about 3500 plus RPM after driving long distances. I first noticed this when I drove from SF Bay area to Kings Canyon. When I hit about 1500' level I down-shifted to get the RPMs up to keep the battery charged -- and the car acted like it was not getting gas! It essentially brought me to a stop but when I tried in in a higher gear the car ran ok - but wore down the battery.

About that time I found a place to stop, I removed the gas cap and replaced thinking it reminded me of the old days when I'd have 'vapor lock' or something. The car ran well from then on up to 7000' plus with no problem.

About a month later on the same trip the same problem occured. Same sequence of events - same results. This past weekend I drove over to the ocean across the hills on the San Mateo Peninsula (I think about 1000' plus) drove down to Santa Cruz and back up over the same hills and the car started dying again. Total drive time was about three hours.

That is when I tested it enough to equate the problem directly to the higher RPMs. By the time I got home driving the freeway I could duplicate the problem by downshifting to where the RPMs were up again (even after messing with the gas cap - which may not have had any thing to do with it to begin with)

I went home, turned the car off for about 10 minutes and went out again to recreate the problem - no luck!! Could not get it to fail no matter what I did.

I'm scheduled for a 'major' service soon. Not that I don't trust them ( I really don't) I don't want them to just throw parts in there without having a better idea of what may be happening.

Sorry this is so long but its abit difficult to explain. Any ideas or experiences with this type of problem would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken

PS - I forgot to mention that the 'Check Engine' light came on - and in all case reset either the same day or a day later.

Also - I'd had problems with the EGR Valve and 'bucking' problems about four months ago. I followed one of the member's suggestions and cleaned it with pretty good results. Don't know if the EGR valve could be a factor.

 

[talonmike]

This can be caused by misefire. Usualy, missfire at hight RMP is caused by sparkplug.


It can also be the fuel pump or filter or injectors. You should check the CE light code next time

 

[KenSmith]

loss of power

That's good information for me. I wasn't sure spark plugs would do that or not. I've already told the shop that I wanted them changed tomorrow anyway.

And, if I understand correctly, there may be a history on the CE light action. Perhaps we can get those codes if they are available.

I'll be interested to see what we find in the shop tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[KenSmith]

Update on this problem

I had the car in the shop Friday and found three pretty bad plugs, one ignition coil that was very questionable and a CE code of PO 1259 or VTEC system failure. So it seems that the 'mis-firing' seemed to be a good part of the problem (if not the whole problem) as suggested by talonmike. Thanks.

The plugs were replaced, coil replaced but didn't have a VTEC Valve available so that is scheduled to be here tomorrow. However, I ran the car on a 250 mile trip and couldn't duplicate the problem. It ran great and am not sure I need the VTEC valve. Any one with experience with this code 1259??

 

[talonmike]

Did you check the little vtec filter?


Are you using 0w20 oil?


It may by the oil prssure too low, this filter clogged, the vtech valve, or vtech selenoid.

 

[KenSmith]

Update on this problem -1

The shop checked the VTEC solenoid operation but couldn't find anything wrong.

They said they checked the oil pressure because that is the usual reason for this code. I have always used 0-20W oil. They ordered the VTEC Valve and I'm not sure about the VTEC filter - I'll have to double-check on that.

The car ran great two days ago after I changed the plugs and ignition coils but I think its too soon to tell.

Thanks for the info - will update this thread later.

 

[KenSmith]

last update on this problem

After much testing since installing a new VTEC valve I've thinking it was a combination of problems involving the bad plugs, ignition coil and questionable VTEC valve. The new VTEC valve appears to have given me more power but I think the primary problem was the plugs (as talonmike suggested) and ignition coil.
Thanks for your input.