My Honda Accord 2.2 ICTDI Diesel 4 Door Saloon

[Drax]

wow!! what an update, fair play to you i LOT of love put into this Accord. i have one of these too, a brilliant daily!

[prelude_h22]

wow!! what an update, fair play to you i LOT of love put into this Accord. i have one of these too, a brilliant daily!

Thanks Drax

[prelude_h22]

Hi All,
Just a few updates on the Accord from April this year.

Re-Work Rear Reversing Camera
Update: 23/04/16

The current rear reversing camera I had installed utilized one of the existing number plate lights to mount the camera. The downside to using this particular design was that the number plate illumination would be limited. The effect this had at night would be that this side of the number plate would not look illuminated.

I wanted to find another solution, I really wanted to use the camera with built in LEDs to illuminate the number plate, but finding a colour match to illuminate the other side of the number plate proved to be very difficult.

I then found another type of camera which was small enough to attach to the number plate strip and in the middle allowing both number plate lights not to be interfered with.

Some slight modifications were required but overall a much better discrete look and the camera's video output was actually of much better quality too.








I have written a DIY guide here which details the different types of camera's I have played with and a detailed installation process.

http://hondakarma.com/guides/2003-2008- ... tall.1650/

Part Purchased

Part: Universal Rear Reversing Camera
Also known as: Pumpkin Reverse Camera
Part number: Y0809-UK4-A
Origin of Parts: Ebay
Web Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Pumpkin- ... SwRGlXqD~Y

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Rear Boot Auto Open Modification + Boot Lid Gas Strut Upgrade
Update: 01/05/16

I have always toyed with the idea of applying this mod to my Accord, after experiencing it on our Dodge Charger rental car in Florida a couple years back I thought it would be a really handy feature to have.

There wasn't much info on this mod but I knew it could be done on the 7th Gen Accord saloon, several videos existed on you tube but there was no guides or list of parts needed. However a few enquiries suggested some specifications of compression springs and the actual installation of the springs to lift the boot lid was pretty straight forward.

The installation was pretty easy, with the most time consuming part being the removal of the boot's interior trim.

Video of My Boot Lid Auto Opening From The Keyfob



Another upgrade that was performed was also the installation of gas struts to lift the boot lid. The gas struts provides a smooth premium feel most commonly found on higher executive cars.



This mod requires the removal of the existing torsion bar springs, once the torsion bar springs are removed they are very hard to re-install. So please bare this mind.

The auto open boot mod will work fine on the existing OEM torsion bar springs.
The gas strut upgrade is totally optional.

I have written DIY guides for both the auto boot open modification and gas strut upgrades.
Both of these guides show detailed breakdown of parts required and the installation process.

Auto Boot Open DIY
http://hondakarma.com/guides/2003-2008- ... open.1660/

Boot Lid Gas Strut Upgrade DIY
http://hondakarma.com/guides/2003-2008- ... sion.1659/

See DIY Guides for Individual Part's Purchased


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Fuel Filter Replacement & Brake Fluid Flush
Update: 06/06/16

Now that the car has reached 142k miles, the last time the fuel filter was replaced was at 110k miles on May 2014. It has now been 34k miles since the last time it was performed.
Quite amazing the amount of miles that can be clocked up in a small amount of time.

Slightly over due, I thought it would be best to get it done as soon as possible.

The Accord has always been run on vpower shell diesel and there has not been any running issues.

But these filters apparently tend to hold water content from the diesel fuel which can end up freezing so replacing the fuel filter regularly for this reason is always a good preventative action.

Unable to perform this task myself (due to lack of workshop facilities - i.e. bench and vice equipment to hold the filter) I had to get a garage to perform this for me.

It was a trip to Performance Autoworks who performed the task, I also got them to flush the brake fluid too which they did free of charge
Always a top job from these guys and I am always confident the job is done right.

Part Purchased

Part: Fuel Filter (Genuine Honda)
Part number: 16901RJLE01
Origin of Parts: Coxmotorparts
Web Link: http://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/genuine- ... p-739.html

Part: Brake Fluid (Castrol React Fluid - 2 litres)
Part number: N/A
Origin of Parts: Opie Oils
Web Link: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-742-castrol ... fluid.aspx


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Polish Head Lamp Lenses
Update: 09/06/16

One of the last tasks needed doing on the Accord was to resolve the head light lens fade.
The Accord has plastic head lamps which over time tend to fade due to the UV rays from the sun.

The damage that occurs is a hazy and cloudy lens which can restrict the amount of light output. It also is an eye sore, ruins the look of the car and can be an MOT failure if really bad.

There are many ways of resolving this without buying a new pair of headlamps.

The easiest ways is to sand and polish the lenses with cutting compound. Using a corded or cordless drill depending what facilities you have available.

I decided to use what I had around me, I had a meguires G3500 DA system adapter for use with drills, this was bought for me as a present many years ago but never got round to using it. The kit had several pads which attach to the device via a Velcro surface.

The kit is shown here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-G350 ... Swwo1Xe3hK

I used the brown cutting pad together with meguires ultimate compound paste, I took my time on a warm summers weekend. I spent around 45 mins to an hour on each headlight and the results were fantastic.

The haze and cloudiness all but disappeared leaving a pristine clear lens.

The key to making the finish last is to seal the lens. I used a surface coat sealant.
Applied to the lens like a form of polish it should help protect the lens for a long lasting finish.

Headlight Before




Headlight After




There are of course many other ways to do this job, the most common way is the 3M headlight restorer kit. The kit is reasonably priced and works very well, I used it on my Prelude a few years ago with great results.

Other Kits to do the job
3M headlight restore kit
Available from Ebay, Amazon, Halfords and other car accessory places.

Part Purchased
Part: Meguires Ultimate Compound
Part number: N/A
Origin of Parts: Halfords
Web Link: http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cl ... ound-450ml

Part: Headlight Lens Sealant Paste
Part number: B00A3S1RGU
Origin of Part: Amazon
Web Link:

Kit Already to Hand
Part: Meguires G3500 DA Power System for Drills
Part Number: G3500
Origin of Parts: Was a gift to me but available from ebay Link below
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meguiars-G350 ... Swwo1Xe3hK


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Amber Side Lights
Update: 20/06/16

One of my side light bulbs decided to stop working so it was time of a new set of sidelight bulbs.
I've always been fond of the USA style amber side light look so instead of the standard clear bulbs I decided to purchase a set of Osram amber 501 OEM bulbs.
Available on ebay for very little money. OEM amber capless bulb, high quality made by Osram and a direct OEM replacement.

Easy installation by peeling away a small part of the front arch liner.
See this install guide if you are unsure.

Clips are used to hold this arch liner in place and tend to get brittle and snap upon removal.
see this link for cheap high quality replacements (I had to order a some as two clips fell to pieces upon removal)

Not to everyone's taste, but I think they look great.








Alot of other newer cars like volvo's and bmw's have now adopted the amber side lights for their European markets so it seems it is a trend that's growing.

Part Purchased
Part: Osram Amber Orange 501 Capless Side Light Bulbs
Part number: 2827-02B
Origin of Parts: Ebay - Acecarparts_uk (seller)
Web Link: Ebay Item Number: 191451463681

Part: Arch Liner Clips
Honda Part number: 91501S04003
Oem Alternative from Ebay
Web Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-Honda-Pla ... RePZNj69gQ

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Thanks for reading guys, the Accord is running fabulous at the moment.
It is a joy to drive and own.

Here are some pictures of a little photo shoot I did a couple weeks ago.
She has now touched 143,000 miles and still drives beautifully.
Commuting 60 miles a day I try my best to keep her clean and well maintained.














It would be nice if the car was slightly lowered a tad to improve its broken suspension look & looks, but being the daily commuter the car will remain standard. This would be for insurance, comfort and practicality purposes.

I also have an urge to improve the sound insulation too, although it is quite an expensive upgrade and would involve alot of interior strip down to install the material. Further discussions with friends say that the Accord's refinement is really good but still rather noisy, if more refinement is required it would be better to upgrade the car instead.

All the main "to do" tasks have now been performed with just the regular maintenance and 6k oil services.

Future Modifications or Re-work
-None

Future Maintenance to do's
-Lubricate rear doors hinges (they creak when opened in warm weather conditions)
-Get leaky valve replaced on off side rear wheel. (very very slow puncture)
-Re-gas air conditioning system (might perform this next summer - still blows ok cold air)
-If time allows, compound the body work to improve paint finish where possible.


Thanks for reading guys

[GJMHONDA2012]

Lovely accord mate I was looking at the deisel saloon but ended up buying an 03 plate ex tourer with the k24a3 motor which has been an absolute brilliant car so far touch wood lol

[wurlycorner]

Very neat work with the reversing camera install, well done

[prelude_h22]

Lovely accord mate I was looking at the deisel saloon but ended up buying an 03 plate ex tourer with the k24a3 motor which has been an absolute brilliant car so far touch wood lol

Thanks mate. Yeah a superb daily. Its a definitely a car that will stick with me for a long time
I was tempted by the tourer, they have so much space and the auto open close tailgate is a hoot too, but no decent ones popped up at the time so settled with the saloon instead.
The k24a3's are bomb proof

Very neat work with the reversing camera install, well done

Thanks wurlycorner. Its such a shame Honda never released an official reversing camera kit for the saloon. Least this version was cheaper

[GJMHONDA2012]

Lovely accord mate I was looking at the deisel saloon but ended up buying an 03 plate ex tourer with the k24a3 motor which has been an absolute brilliant car so far touch wood lol

Thanks mate. Yeah a superb daily. Its a definitely a car that will stick with me for a long time
I was tempted by the tourer, they have so much space and the auto open close tailgate is a hoot too, but no decent ones popped up at the time so settled with the saloon instead.
The k24a3's are bomb proof

I heard a lot of bad reports on the deisels but I guess if they are well maintained then it will serve you well, which by the looks of it you are doing just that the person I bought the tourer off said that the timing chains don't need replaced on the k24a3 which I did not believe but then I done my research and this was correct aslong as you do regular oil and filter changes every 5-6k then they are basically maintenance free which made me happy lol, thankfully my automatic el boot is working fully and yes it's very handy indeed, mine is the auto/tiptronic option which is also great overall the car is fantastic and I only paid £1050

[wurlycorner]

Last post tidied up