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New to me 2009 Honda Fit, I think a Sport trim, Auto
Was in rough shape, still needs more TLC, but I stitched up her mouth, put 2.5 quarts of oil in it (that's how low it was ) and a tank of gas. Been driving it to work the last week and back with 272,xxx miles on the clock, it's got a few issues but my brother gave it to me for $1 so, how can I complain? Haven't mashed on it yet as with it's mileage on it, I'm not sure that's a good idea, it's far from a sports car, though it is VERY light and nimble feeling and that alone quickly has me liking it a lot! The seats are fairly good for their age and in what they're in. And it's according to the dash getting 44.5mpg, though when I checked it you know using math at the pump it was 40.44mpg. Has a CEL on but my $7 ebay scanner shows a P0420 code best I recall that's just the second O2 senor, the post CAT one so, I couldn't care much less other than the lights on, that a TPMS light so the sensors probably gone bad in at least one tire.
So I like I said I stiched up her mouth with what felt like 20 zip ties after he had hit a small animal (I forget what it was) on the road... found the fog lights knocked back into the bumper cover so gonna fix those, needs a new tail light and the other mismatched headlight swapped out... eventually the dented hatch Vacuumed it all out today, took the spare tire, jack and tools out. folded the rear seats forward, thought about taking them out for about 30 seconds but I have kids and though it's unlikely I'd need to use the car to transport more than myself, eh for now they will stay in. been trying to dig up information on this platform and the L15A7 and what is available for it parts wise.
Seen a couple cool Kswap builds, that's not gonna happen anytime soon for myself as I'm about to transition from TIG welding to driving full time soon as I get my CDL.And then even though money may improve, I wont have near as much free time. But eventually maybe, I find the cars after actually driving one facinating in that they embody several things of a gone by era in cars I loved.... light, simple, functional without gimicky BS and actually affordable.... These things IMO are the modern replacement for the, well not japanese sports cars of the 90's in the well heck they're getting old even now LOL. but of the at least not boring cars that can be fun even if not "fast" in the conventional sense. Sort of a FWD miata if you will?
So with the milage of this thing, what should I check first far as maintenance? I'll post of some pictures later. I should have taken more before pictures...
I would be checking the oil prior to every start of the car, at least until I figured out how it got 2.5 quarts low on a system that holds under 4 quarts. Is it leaking oil or burning oil? Was it driven at that extremely low oil level? If so, damage has almost certainly been done, and that damage will reveal itself soon enough.
At 270K miles, unless you know when/if every potential maintenance procedure was done, I would assume that all need to be done.
I always recommend starting with safety items: brake pads and rotors, brake fluid (if you don't know when it was changed and bled, just do it), and tires. Then on to fluids (oil/ATF/coolant) and filters, including the engine air filter. I would be tempted to do an oil and oil filter change ASAP. I would also inspect the suspension and wheel bearings for worn components, check the spark plugs and coils, and the valve clearances.
I would be checking the oil prior to every start of the car, at least until I figured out how it got 2.5 quarts low on a system that holds under 4 quarts. Is it leaking oil or burning oil? Was it driven at that extremely low oil level? If so, damage has almost certainly been done, and that damage will reveal itself soon enough.
At 270K miles, unless you know when/if every potential maintenance procedure was done, I would assume that all need to be done.
I always recommend starting with safety items: brake pads and rotors, brake fluid (if you don't know when it was changed and bled, just do it), and tires. Then on to fluids (oil/ATF/coolant) and filters, including the engine air filter. I would be tempted to do an oil and oil filter change ASAP. I would also inspect the suspension and wheel bearings for worn components, check the spark plugs and coils, and the valve clearances.
I plan to check the valve lash in the next week or two, And to keep a close eye on things, I want to see if it's going to kill over because it was driven around for at least 70 miles with the oil that low. IF she continues onward with no horrid sounds or concerning oil consumption (I don't think it's leaking but haven't jacked it up and inspected yet) then I'll start putting money into it. I don't want to do the brakes, brake lines, all aluminum radiator etc. stuff like that and then the engine take a dump on me... in the middle of pullin my 2003 Ford Ranger's 4.0L V6 engine right now due to the timing chain guide decomposing from age.... Don't need another vehicle with a engine that can't run right now.
Top picture you can see my ziptie job... Which headlight is factory? the Chrome or black? Also which do y'all think looks better? I kind of like the black a hair more I think...And I'm not sure a polish will help the chrome one much and it would still be mismatched even if it did...
Both headlights are factory for the GE8, just for different years. The passenger side is correct for a 2009, the driver side light was one of the changes when the GE8 was refreshed a couple years into production.
Well after driving the Fit for roughly two weeks I think now, and removing 105lb calculated from the car the other day, on the way back from work, just before I got home, I for the first time pushed the accelerator to the floor, I was a little surprised that it waited until I think it basically hit red line or just about before it shifted up to the next gear, most cars are much more conservative than that. I know Honda is/was famous though for rev happy engines though so, even in spite of it being designed to be an eco box with an auto, I was pleasantly surprised.
I could also tell, man, it's been way to long since I felt any decent acceleration ROFL, going from a 12sec car a few years ago to just eh normal cars and almost never flooring them had me thinking when I matted this thing I was a little caught off guard like wait what? I actually feel some push back into the seat? Like not much, but it was noticed.... Well, I'll be dipped....I also noticed it shifts down later going up hills having the weight removed or almost pulls one hill without downshifting vs before.... that said the fuel tank was also almost empty. It also just "felt" lighter, which could be a placebo I suppose, it's not like I was hustling it down any back roads to really find out. I am very much enjoying it though, far far more than I expected too. Pretty much sold on getting another one, and a manual....I miss my Talon every now and then partly just because it was a manual and I drove it from 16-38yr old LOL. so what's that 22yrs?
I also noticed it shifts down later going up hills having the weight removed or almost pulls one hill without downshifting vs before.... that said the fuel tank was also almost empty. It also just "felt" lighter, which could be a placebo I suppose
It's not. Passengers, heavy cargo and even filling the fuel tank become noticeable in sub-3000lb small displacement cars. The lighter the car and smaller the engine, the more you'll feel it.
Originally Posted by Frenzal
Check on dreamshop. You'll be able to browse all exploded views and parts lists.
Or most of the other online Honda parts dealers. Dreamshop is a bit price gouge-y.
That looks great! And I honestly don't hate the panels you added to cover the front bumper. Wouldn't have thought it would look good if you had explained it to me. But seeing it, I think they work
Turns out, if that pin corrodes, your wipers don't work correctly, I didn't know what the issue was directly with the unit so I had ordered a re-manufactured one. Cleaned off the contact best I could, but just packaged it up in the box the other came and installed the replacement.
Turns out if you don't put the connecting arm EXACTLY back where it was, when connected to the motor, you find that out real quick....That was a pain, but 4th try got it.
) and a tank of gas. Been driving it to work the last week and back with 272,xxx miles on the clock, it's got a few issues but my brother gave it to me for $1 so, how can I complain? Haven't mashed on it yet as with it's mileage on it, I'm not sure that's a good idea, it's far from a sports car, though it is VERY light and nimble feeling and that alone quickly has me liking it a lot! The seats are fairly good for their age and in what they're in. And it's according to the dash getting 44.5mpg, though when I checked it you know using math at the pump it was 40.44mpg. Has a CEL on but my $7 ebay scanner shows a P0420 code best I recall that's just the second O2 senor, the post CAT one so, I couldn't care much less other than the lights on, that a TPMS light so the sensors probably gone bad in at least one tire.
