What you DONT like about your Fit
New Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
This was Carbon buildup in the engine. That's why the repair was going to be $500. A fuel injection cleaning runs about $179 at the dealer, and that was suggested to be done every 25,000 mile. Unfortunately, It's not just about putting a cheap bottle of fuel cleaner in the gas tank. Wish it was that simple and cheap. My Brother-in law-swears by Honda Fits, he's never had any trouble, that's why I bought mine.
I had the economy button on since I bought my car. I was told by the dealer it doesn't harm the car to have it on all the time. I have a 2018 Honda Fit. At 31,000 I had excessive carbon buildup. I drive mainly on the Thruway and never let the car idol. I am OCD when it comes to maintenance for my car. My dealer wanted to charge me $500 to fix it. The car was under warranty and they weren't going to honor the warranty because according to them the problem wasn't due to a defective part. I called Corporate and got no where. With a little research I found that this carbon buildup is common in Honda's and Corporate hasn't addressed the issue. Nobody could give me an answer as to whether having the economy button on all the time contributed to the buildup at such a low mileage. BTW, a fuel injection cleaning is not listed in the maintenance manual as a regular service because Honda doesn't want the cost of owning the car (as listed in Consumer Reports) increased by adding that to the schedule. After talking to several mechanics who work on Honda's and own them they confessed that they have the fuel injection cleaning done on a regular basis. Some honesty from Corporate would be much appreciated. Had I known this before-hand I could have avoided a costly repair. I leave the economy button off now and plan on having a fuel injection cleaning every 20,000 miles. Buyer beware.
This was Carbon buildup in the engine. That's why the repair was going to be $500. A fuel injection cleaning runs about $179 at the dealer, and that was suggested to be done every 25,000 mile. Unfortunately, It's not just about putting a cheap bottle of fuel cleaner in the gas tank. Wish it was that simple and cheap. My Brother-in law-swears by Honda Fits, he's never had any trouble, that's why I bought mine.
I have about 88K on my 2015 and mainly use ECON mode. In the summer not as much as running the AC with ECON mode affects performance. I'll usually turn it off on stop/go driving, and put it back on when cruising on the highway. I've never done fuel injection cleaning.
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 203
From: San Diego
This was Carbon buildup in the engine. That's why the repair was going to be $500. A fuel injection cleaning runs about $179 at the dealer, and that was suggested to be done every 25,000 miles. Unfortunately, It's not just about putting a cheap bottle of fuel cleaner in the gas tank. Wish it was that simple and cheap. My Brother-in law-swears by Honda Fits, he's never had any trouble, that's why I bought mine.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
Yes, the check engine light came on. I don't know what the trouble code number was, the dealer diagnosed it as a carbon buildup problem.
The fuel injectors were not replaced, they took them apart, cleaned them and also did a standard fuel injection cleaning. All told for the labor and service it would have been $500+. Like I said before, nobody could tell me for certain if having the economy button on continuously may have been a cause.
The fuel injectors were not replaced, they took them apart, cleaned them and also did a standard fuel injection cleaning. All told for the labor and service it would have been $500+. Like I said before, nobody could tell me for certain if having the economy button on continuously may have been a cause.
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 203
From: San Diego
Can you get an itemized list of exactly what is included in their "standard cleaning service"?? If they didn't give you a written list of the work performed, I'd be suspect. And if they did give you a list, could you please post it here? Thanks.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
Carbon Buildup
How did you know you had excessive carbon build up? Was there a check engine light? What was the trouble code. You mentioned fuel injection cleaning, did you have issues and had the fuel injectors replaced?
I have about 88K on my 2015 and mainly use ECON mode. In the summer not as much as running the AC with ECON mode affects performance. I'll usually turn it off on stop/go driving, and put it back on when cruising on the highway. I've never done fuel injection cleaning.
I have about 88K on my 2015 and mainly use ECON mode. In the summer not as much as running the AC with ECON mode affects performance. I'll usually turn it off on stop/go driving, and put it back on when cruising on the highway. I've never done fuel injection cleaning.
This is the info from the Dealer invoice about what they found and the work that was done.
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 662
From: DC, USA
you mean a myriad of flame stickers and shiney plastic decals from auto zone don't do it for you? lol, jk
If you've got the budget for it, mugen makes some quality stuff. I can't justify the expense personally, so I'll just enjoy it how the factory made it... Maybe plus some plastidip, and less some badges.
If you've got the budget for it, mugen makes some quality stuff. I can't justify the expense personally, so I'll just enjoy it how the factory made it... Maybe plus some plastidip, and less some badges.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 998
From: Chicago
My 2015 Sits Too Dam Low To The Ground.
Mine sits too low to the ground. Winter is hell on the undercarriage and front bumper. I'm scrapping snow in the middle of a lane in the alleys and residential streets. Main streets and highways are fine since the snow trucks plow those areas. But the alleys and residential streets I'm scrapping the undercarriage and front bumper.
Member
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 203
From: San Diego
I did not know there was any service that actually disassembled parts of the engine to clean carbon. I thought that all they would do was run some liquid cleaner through the fuel line to do the cleaning. Are all your warning lights off now and is the car running right now? And will this condition just come back?
Cool keep us posted to see how it's going as the miles go up. Too bad they didn't include the DTC. Might be an option for those that think that they have to replace the injectors.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
From: Buffalo, NY
Warning lights are off and I was told that I should have the fuel injection cleaning done every 20,000-25,000 miles to prevent this from happening again.
This is NOT a recommended service on the maintenance schedule for a Honda Fit. I wasn't given a clear answer as to why this carbon buildup happened.
My brother in law has owned several Honda Fits and only had to have the oil changed and brakes done.
This is NOT a recommended service on the maintenance schedule for a Honda Fit. I wasn't given a clear answer as to why this carbon buildup happened.
My brother in law has owned several Honda Fits and only had to have the oil changed and brakes done.
Warning lights are off and I was told that I should have the fuel injection cleaning done every 20,000-25,000 miles to prevent this from happening again.
This is NOT a recommended service on the maintenance schedule for a Honda Fit. I wasn't given a clear answer as to why this carbon buildup happened.
My brother in law has owned several Honda Fits and only had to have the oil changed and brakes done.
This is NOT a recommended service on the maintenance schedule for a Honda Fit. I wasn't given a clear answer as to why this carbon buildup happened.
My brother in law has owned several Honda Fits and only had to have the oil changed and brakes done.
That said, I'm at 89k and I've never done a fuel injection service. I put the cheap stuff from Murphy gas station.
Last edited by 2Rismo2; Jan 27, 2020 at 09:39 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 662
From: DC, USA
Keep in mind honda GDi isn't like VW GDi. VW sprays into the top of the cylinders while honda sprays in from the side tumbling over the valves. Also my LX 6speed doesn't have an "ECO" button, I suspect (just a guess) that's a feature of the CVT to promote lower revving and reduced throttle map.
