Honda Civic Hybrid 2005 - Replacing the Fuel Filter

[Kohan]

All right. I've hit hard times, and I'm borrowing a car. It's the aforementioned, a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. Doesn't even have 50,000 miles on it, but the owner doesn't know how to take care of automobiles, so it runs like it's ten years older and full of problems. I've alleviated some of this with the few things I can do myself. It's had its oil changed, and the air filter has been replaced. Easy crap, right?

Well, the car can't accelerate for shit. Every time you come to a full stop for a sign or light, then try to accelerate, the car shakes and jerks back and forth like it's about to give out. It never does, but with all the quaking, it's amazing it hasn't. Considering, I'm thinking that the next thing I could try to replace is the fuel filter.

I'm rather sure the precautions to be taken are as follows:

1. Locating the fuel pump fuse, leave the car running, then yank out the fuse and wait for the engine to die. This proves you've disconnected the right thing.
2. Use protective eyewear and disconnect the battery to be absolutely sure you're good to go.

So, does all of that sound right? If it does, we're left with my last problem: the fact that it's a Hybrid. I'm pretty sure the fuel filter mentioned in articles and people's videos on the internets doesn't exist in the Hybrid, but rather, that it's integrated with the gas tank or something like that.

As Google is failing me, I'm hoping someone here can tell me: how in the fucking fuck do you change a fuel filter on a Civic Hybrid? I can't find any information about it on any part dealer's website. Even if it's really complicated and I'll have to pay for a mechanic to do it after all, I'd like to at least know how the shit is done and where (and if) I can buy the damn thing.

Thanks.

[Korietsu]

Go to a local honda dealer and try and order the part. They'll give you an exploded diagram of what the section of the car looks like, and from there you should be able to find out how to change it yourself. It also might be that its not a fuel filter issue, its something that was related to the engine itself because of poor maintenance. Might be a PCV Valve issue, or even an fuel injector issue. Another suggestion is to seafoam the gas tank so it cleans out everything.

Also, check this link.

http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/f...-filter-21755/

[Slapper]

Hybrid

Well there's your problem

[Nephlite]

Well there's your problem

This. Hybrids are notorious for idling rough and the fact is most of them run fuel more in an idle stage than a regular car. Friend of mine has this problem and it turned out a ton of gunk was built up inside the fuel injector and caused it to sputter on take-off and idle. I believe the solution was a simple fuel injector cleaner dumped in to your fuel tank next time you fill up and worked out all those built up deposits and gunk. For serious problems you'll probably have to flush it. The whole stop and go engine technology is what causes those deposits and I don't think the engine cycles the old gasoline when it kicks in the electric motor so it sits with all the deposits and crap getting down into the workings causing this problem.

[Mansin]

Should be on the back left side of the car looking into it from the engine bay. Find a picture of it first and then look around back left for what you're being shown.

Usually you loosen two bolts (one top, one bottom) with two separate wrenches. One holds the filter, one loosens the bolt. The best way is to put them on like a V and squeeze the wrenches together. Turn them the right way because one will be confusing and you'll have to turn it the opposite way, also wear gloves - otherwise you'll lose some bark.

Before you start, either pull the fuel pump fuse or disconnect it and then crank the car for a few seconds until it either dies or doesn't start. Continue cranking it for about ten seconds to get rid of the fuel pressure or you'll get covered in gas when you loosen the first bolt.

[Kohan]

I definitely don't disagree that a Hybrid can be a pain in the ass to keep in good condition. I'm just glad the thing runs, and both for my sake and as a "thank you" to the person who's letting me borrow it, I want it to run better (hence this thread).

It also might be that its not a fuel filter issue, its something that was related to the engine itself because of poor maintenance. Might be a PCV Valve issue, or even an fuel injector issue. Another suggestion is to seafoam the gas tank so it cleans out everything.

I believe the solution was a simple fuel injector cleaner dumped in to your fuel tank next time you fill up and worked out all those built up deposits and gunk.

This inspired me to get some Berryman Chemtool B12. I'll probably do that tomorrow and put it in the gas tank. It's not as involved as streaming sea foam into a running engine, but at least it's a much better gas treatment than all the watered-down garbage marketed as such.

Should be on the back left side of the car looking into it from the engine bay. Find a picture of it first and then look around back left for what you're being shown.

While I haven't actually popped the hood in search of this specifically yet, I'm fairly sure what you just said doesn't apply to Hybrids, hence my frustration. Visualizing the engine in my brain shows me a bay filled to the brim with tree hugger technology.

[Atreides]

The Civic Hybrid's engine should turn off completely when you stop the car, is the jerking after you try to accelerate from an engine-off stop? Or is the engine not turning off at traffic lights/stop signs?

also you are in for a big surprise when you pop the hood lol

[*Shinzon*]

The Civic Hybrid's engine should turn off completely when you stop the car, is the jerking after you try to accelerate from an engine-off stop? Or is the engine not turning off at traffic lights/stop signs?

also you are in for a big surprise when you pop the hood lol

Yeah I was going to say that, some hybrid cars are equipped with start-stop technology that turns the car off while it's idle. Now the jerking motion could be that the system isn't running properly and that would be a software issue more than likely if the car isn't shutting down.

[Furionstormrage]

If you're gonna get fuel injector cleaner (I'm not a hybrid expert so I can't comment on the filter situation) only buy Berryman, Lucas, or preferably Seafoam. The rest of it is crap in a bottle.

[Rheya]

Had the same thing (entire car would shudder when accelerating coming out of auto-stop) happen to my 2003 Civic Hybrid. It's an issue acknowledged by Honda. Take it to the dealer. They fixed mine for free.

[Kohan]

The Civic Hybrid's engine should turn off completely when you stop the car, is the jerking after you try to accelerate from an engine-off stop? Or is the engine not turning off at traffic lights/stop signs?

also you are in for a big surprise when you pop the hood lol

I've worked inside the Hybrid's engine bay before (to replace the air filter, for example). I've just never gone hunting for a fuel filter. When I picture the bay in my mind, I don't see anywhere for a filter to be.

Had the same thing (entire car would shudder when accelerating coming out of auto-stop) happen to my 2003 Civic Hybrid. It's an issue acknowledged by Honda. Take it to the dealer. They fixed mine for free.

I may do this. As mentioned, it's a really hardcore juddering. Enough to make practically anyone think the car would break down at any moment.

In the interim, I'll treat it with Chemtool and see how it goes.

[Max™]

DENSO Part # 9520020

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...A1%255D%2BSOHC

It's because it's called a fuel pump strainer, not a filter. That would explain why you're having no luck finding any diagrams.

http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...60-0&width=450
http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...60-1&width=450
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=369360

[Necronus]

I have a Civic Hybrid one myself. I tend to notice that my car hasn't gone idle at a stop when I notice the excessive vibration from idling or even entering into a stop (basically 7MPH or less, dropping under 8MPH is where the idle SHOULD kick in). Causes include:

Minor Reasons:
1) Glance at the battery meter, if it's dropped to 1 light remaining, it won't go idle until it has built the charge back up ... stop/go traffic (especially rush hour city) can cause it to fall low
2) Stop/Go. Often if u drop below 8MPH and the engine goes idle, then release back to 8/9 MPH or so then brake again, it sometimes won't go idle, even if u get to 0. Can happen when u decide to close a gap at a light, or in a drive thru.

Major Reasons (Recalls)
3) Ok, ask a Honda dealer about this one, but about a week after I got a "recall" notice about a faulty wire, my car cease to ever go into idle for any reason. Its a free fix if thats the cause. If I recall, the problem was something was overgreased and over time the grease could fall onto some other wire or something.
4) Another "ask a Honda" problem. A little over a month ago I got another "recall" letter this time about Honda variants about 5~6 years old. Apparently the "logic" in the computer causes battery damage over time that became noticable in cars that had 5 years of exposure to "hot summers" (i.e. ur safe if ur in Alaska). Apparently the symptom of this is identical to Reason #1 above: the battery keeps bottoming out way too often.

Edit: Oh one other thing, if you hit that rock bottom battery level, the car will not use the Electric Engine to assist on accellerating from a full stop. Civic Hybrids have a pretty bad accelleration speed when working normally. Without the assist its WAAAY slower.

[Atreides]

I have a 2004 civic hybrid, best car I've ever owned. I kinda wonder if my next should be another civic hybrid (they got a lot sportier/better looking after 2004 actually) or if I should go with a prius for even better gas mileage. Tough call

[Mansin]

I may do this. As mentioned, it's a really hardcore juddering. Enough to make practically anyone think the car would break down at any moment.

In the interim, I'll treat it with Chemtool and see how it goes.

I haven't ever looked under a hybrid's hood, so it may as well not be in the usual spot. However, fuel system cleaner is just going to gunk up your fuel filter more at this point. Run some fuel cleaner and then change the filter, because everything you clean out with the cleaner that doesn't get combusted is going right into the filter.

[Militant]

Some good info in this thread, and some bad info. I fix cars for a living. Sound's like the car's gasoline engine is misfiring. If the car has 50k and the plugs are the original, I'd also replace the spark plugs, and possibly the plug wires or coils while you're at it. Don't try and skimp and save money by buying cheap plugs, go with the OEM plugs and make sure they are gapped properly. If you do the wires, it's easy enough with a 4 cyl, but make sure you replace 1 at a time, to make it impossible to fuck up the firing order. That and if you do the aforementioned fuel strainer, will have this thing running like a champ. It's a honda.

[Kohan]

DENSO Part # 9520020

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...A1%255D%2BSOHC

Except California

Fuck.

I've checked a few other sites, and they're all the same "Fuck You" models. Bastards. I'm sure I'll find a place that has the right one before long, though.

Beyond that, I'm going to contact Honda regarding recalls and other various issues. I'll look them up online first, of course. Once took a 2000 Ford Mustang (still under warranty) in for a few recalled parts replacements, and came back after the work day to hear them say, "we didn't find anything wrong, here's your car back," as if I'd accept it. Not only did they subsequently prioritize doing the actual fucking replacements, but they washed, waxed, and vacuumed my car. I do miss that Mustang...

As for the spark plugs and what not, all of that definitely needs to be replaced. There's no question. This car has not had any routine maintenance done on it at all. However, my generosity will only go so far. If I were to be driving it for a long time, I'd get a 50,000 mile service done on it, but since I'm not, I'll do what I can.

[Max™]

Damn, I thought the one I linked didn't say "except California", didn't notice the "Exc. Calif" bit.

[Kohan]

Damn, I thought the one I linked didn't say "except California", didn't notice the "Exc. Calif" bit.

You tried, at least.

Also, I've discovered something fantastic. Apparently, this exact issue -- they even used "judder" in the description -- was discovered and publicly acknowledged in a Technical Service Bulletin. It resulted in the warranty being extended to seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Now, as the title implies, I thought this was a 2005 -- it's not. It's a 2003. Going by the purchase date (it was bought brand new), the extended coverage just expired.

However, the car was brought into actual Honda dealerships twice after the TSB was released, and both times, the judder was mentioned. Honda returned the car saying they "couldn't figure out what was wrong" and did routine maintenance. This was while the car would still have been covered by the warranty extension.

The owner kept these receipts.

I am going to be yelling at some mother fuckers on Monday.