[JustinGray]

So I was driving on the highway... hit a little patch of unplowed snow. This proceeded to rip off half of the aero underbody covers. I cut away the bent back shards and remains.. but I am missing about 2/3 of the cover from the front back....

When I was assesing the dammage, I noticed that these covers were also covering the IMA wiring (bright orange thing!) I wasn't going to replace them, but I am not concerned that these covers, not only improve the aero but also protected IMA Wiring...

Has anyone here replaced theirs yet. I was thinking that this was something that shoudl be covered under my manufacturers warrenty... anyone have thiers replaced under warrenty/

Thanks for the help

 

[Aaron Cake]

I've torn off the panels. They're about $80 from the dealer, certainly not expensive.

As far as the warrenty, I'm sure the dealer would cover it, but I don't think it's entirely ethical to claim warrenty coverage on incidental damage. That's like demanding a replacement windshield due to stone chips.

 

[JustinGray]

I look at it as a design flaw.... these pannels should not have ripped off. Aron, maybe were just on different levels, but I'm a student and 80 bucks a panel means I dont eat this month!

Perhaps your right though, incidental damage shoudl not be claimed under warrenty.

 

[Tim Maddux]

Removal of underbody panels by sufficiently deep snow has been reported before. Some posters have had success getting Honda to warranty-replace the panels. I don't think protection of the Big Orange Conduit would be of much concern, it's a pretty heavy-duty jacket.

Previous snow / underbody cover threads:
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=2320
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=2180
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=2145
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/vie ... php?t=1294
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=612
http://www.insightcentral.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66

 

[JustinGray]

I thought that i had seen other posts on it. Thanks.....

 

[Aaron Cake]

Windshields should not stone chip...6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

Regardless, if you have a little mechanical ability, you can make new panels out of sheet aluminium fairly easily. Make sure the front lip of the panel follows the firewall up a few inches so that it won't catch the snow and it should last forever.

 

[Jeff P.]

replacement part for underbody panel?

I am going through the busted underbody panel issue for my second time right now. I read with great interest the other threads on this same topic, and someone mentioned in one of the threads that the replacement panel can be ordered for about $89.
Seeing as the first time I had my dealership do the work they charged me almost twice that price for the part, can someone please post a link to where I can find this part for a low price from a seller who will ship it to me?
If anyone has info on the parts numbers of these underbody panels, that would be really helpful too.
Frankly (can ya tell I am a newbie to the forums yet?) any links to really complete and low-cost Insight parts suppliers would be appreciated.

Thanks very much!!!

Jeff P. in Atlanta, GA
2001 silverstone CVT #2244

 

[JustinGray]

jeff.... From atlanta? I have probably seen you driving around.... I was also a victim of atlanta puddles! I feel your pain..! Wish i had some part numbers... i resolved to simply not replace the parts!

Justin

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Re: replacement part for underbody panel?

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

HTH!

 

[joecvt]

Number 9 on this page shows the lower front cover for $67.39 plus shipping. This is the
place where I get my parts from.

JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner

 

[Jeff P.]

Thanks Joe & John - this site looks like it will be a valuable resource for me.

The underbody cover on my CVT that has become damaged is on the right side, and it is about 4-5 feet long, extending all the way under the passenger seat. Since the #09 that Joe pointed out is the most expensive of the 7 different covers on the page you linked (probably corresponding to the size of the cover itself), do you think this is the right one for me to order? I can't be sure from the description ("cover, FR. [lower]"), so I'm looking for a second opinion before I order.

Thank you for the links!

- Jeff

 

[joecvt]

Jeff,

There are actually 3 different pieces making up the under body covers.
Numbers 12 and 17 on the same page extend the piece that I mentioned
earlier towards the passenger area. But none of them total 4 to 5 feet.

Perhaps you are talking about item 42 on this page. That one cost $67.39
plus shipping and runs under the passenger seat and about the size that
you mentioned earlier. I always thought that the pieces under the engine
were getting torn off by deep snow...That's why I mentioned those items.

JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner

 

[Jeff P.]

Yes!! Item 42 is the one! Thank you very much - your info just saved me about $100.

This looks like a great website for Insight parts too - I'm definitely bookmarking this one.

Thanks!
Jeff P.

 

[cjohnson]

I found the main problem to be that the front edge of the covers hangs down a bit. I put another 8 or 10 self tapping screws and a few zip ties to hold the leading edge up close to frame. No problems for the last year and we have hads lots of snow. I would have to agree that this is a design flaw.

 

[Guest]

UH OH!

So I was driving on the highway... hit a little patch of unplowed snow. This proceeded to rip off half of the aero underbody covers. I cut away the bent back shards and remains.. but I am missing about 2/3 of the cover from the front back....

When I was assesing the dammage, I noticed that these covers were also covering the IMA wiring (bright orange thing!) I wasn't going to replace them, but I am not concerned that these covers, not only improve the aero but also protected IMA Wiring...

Has anyone here replaced theirs yet. I was thinking that this was something that shoudl be covered under my manufacturers warrenty... anyone have thiers replaced under warrenty/

Thanks for the help

I've looked underneath my vehicle when changing the oil. I SEE A BRIGHT ORANGE THING! It's been apparent since day one. My car is brand new. Does this mean that I took delivery with underbody covers missing??

I going back under there in the morning!

Anyone have an image of what the underneath of the vehicle should look like?

 

[ScottH]

You'll see some orange wiring with the body panels on. However, to change the oil IIRC, you have to remove one of the panels to get to the oil filter and/or oil drain plug. I've always taken it to the dealership for this (it's been either free or discounted).

I haven't had any problems with mine driving around Atlanta (a 2001 blue one mostly going between Marietta and Roswell), but then if the weather is sketchy I leave it garaged and take my truck.

What is the maximum water depth than Insight can swim through without problems? I've always been kind of worried that the IMA cables being underwater would be a bad thing, which is only about 5 inches or so.

 

[b1shmu63]

The jacketted wires running under the car are insulated and so can be used under water without any trouble. In theory you could drive through water up to the level of the air intake! If the water rose inside the pasenger compartment up to the level of the IMA computer or any of the other computers you might have a problem. Again, in theory if the water contained no minerals it would be a perfect insulater and would not create a problem.

More common vehicles which carry thousands of volts through cracked and salt encrusted spark plug cables are more prone to stall if driven through deep puddles.

 

[florida_gators]

So looking at the parts website can anyone figure out the part number for the cover that sits in the bottom right and left front corners of the Insight (next to the aluminum cover)? On the parts website it is has an arrow going out from it saying B-46--but this is definitely not the part #.

 

[Curious Dave]

I just ordered a new drivers side under panel from Honda today. Part# 74613-S3Y-000 ..... $120.00 even. This is the long thin plastic panel that covers the battery cables and is about 4 -5 feet long. The plastic flexes and pulls through the bolt holes if you accidentally drive through some deep water. The real pain is that the panel folds backwards underneath the car, forcing you to have to drag it around and wear off most of it on the asphalt until you get home. :x

 

[Aaron Cake]

The prices in Florida must be high. I just purchased both replacement panels and paid $90 Canadian a piece at the dealer.

Anyway, make sure to hit the local fastener store and pick up a bunch of the underbody clips. You'll likely break every single one when you remove the old panel. While they cost about $5 at the dealer, they are about $0.30 at a real fastener store. For now, just get a big set of shears and cut off the section of panel that's dragging.