Someone posted a while back how they sometimes cant get a receipt. I have found that at the ones with the "Fuelforce" setup, where you press R for receipt, then it asks for the hose # then enter, well just press the 1 (if hose#1) then enter repeatedly, eventually it will print the receipt. What happens to me is the buses fill up and dont get receipts, so I have to do this every night, sometimes 5 or six times. J
Extra Tank? Anyone know who/where to get this? I stop to fill up my car every other day, and the even though the home fueling seems awesome, I'm not sure if it is worth all the extra cash. thanks for any help.
I can install a 3 GGE tank in the trunk for an extra $500 for a new customer purchasing one of my cars. I don't do it on other cars, just for my new customers. Kinda of a hassle to get done. When you purchase an FM 2 or 4 just think of it as you are leasing it, because if you ever sell it you should get 100% of your money back. So it really breaks down like this: $3500 for a Used FM $750 to rebuild every 4000 hours or 4000 gallons.
So that works out to $.19 cents per gallon plus your cost of CNG from home probably right around $1.25. Then add in the electricty. So for about $1.50 per gallon from home is it worth it?
Hello schwerno, please contact me as I am considering an NGV purchase and would like to discuss installing a 3 GGE tank. I will obfiscate my e-mail somewhat to avoid smappmers, but anyway it is {my handle here at CarSpace which begins with an "x"} [at] xmission {dot}com.
Still down as of last week Oct 20. My guess is the station has had an expensive to fix problem with the compressor and I also believe that the gas co may be leaving the site due to redevelopment of the entire area (Most of the buildings around it have been demolished for the new "Platinum Triangle" plan by the city). My guess is that this station is down for good. OR maybe Clean Energy is getting ready to take over.
I confirmed that the CNG station in Blythe is not open to the public. Still a 250 haul between the Phoenix CE airport station and the CNG station in Indio.
Randy check around for CNG fueling stations I know they are somewhat limited in CO. All the cars I've ever sold to CO have been propane, believe it's more widely available than CNG. Just keep in mind it's a limited range car (no more than 240 miles) but other than that it's a great car. Will do a million miles no problem.
Like any car, if you find one that was dealer maintained, and comes with service records, you're less likely to run into this type of problem/s. GX owners tend to be great record keepers. Buying an old fleet car is always a question mark and would be a crapshoot at best. Buying blind from a broker has it's own problems, as you find out. I would only buy used under the first set of conditions. A well maintained car would be worth paying a little more for. Getting a car checked and passed by a mechanic only reveals immediate problems, like leaks, unless they do far more diagnostic work, like compression tests, radiator leak tests, etc. Most people don't want to pay more than $100 ( or way less) to get a car checked out. If you don't have a dealer history on the car, this could be money well spent. Lastly, you can walk into any Honda dealership, find the service director and ask him to pull any info on recalls/service bulletins that have been issued on that car. He will gladly do this for you. The service writters are usually too buisy outside. If they don't do this for you, go to another dealership and try again... and don't go back to the place that wouldn't oblige you.
nope- they were talking about the previous model. there is a major cutout in the area of the door (made into a shelf) in that location in the 06/07. however, putting a speaker there wouldn't help, as it would be directed into the back seat bottom when the doors are closed.
Good news, the station on woodruff is adding a second dispenser, and it's a tulsa gas technology model. Even has an analog pressure gauge ! Price today is still $ 2.04.
I have a 2001 Honda Gx in Colorado Springs. There are two stations in Colorado Springs, one in Castle Rock, several in Denver and two in Boulder. The one in COS (near Platte & Circle) has gone down a couple of times and I had to use one on the Fort Carson Army Base. Since I go by the station four times a week it is not a hassle for me. It is nice paying so little for gas.
Nice - thanks for the directions. I filled up there yesterday - 04.03.07. I got a great fill, over 10 gge and the price was right - $1.999 - cheaper than Garden Grove which was about $2.24 (I think) on the same day.
This post probably belongs on the Transmission Trouble, but that looks pretty much inactive. Recently bought a used 2004 with 72k miles. Today transmission (CVT) seemed to not want to move to "higher gear" for a bit, then the problem went away. New to the car and this forum. Have heard that earlier models had issues, but more recent were better. Also, have heard conflicting info on whether they are repairable or you just have a new one put in. Would appreciate any comments from fellow owners, and any suggestions on a good place to have it done. I live in the Pasadena area. Thanks
Welcome to the cng club, and sorry to hear about your trans. trouble.
01 and 02 models had an electric servo recall, but I do not think it affects your model.
One sure way to find out if the cvt trans has failed is to have the fluid changed. You must use the specified fluid. Sometimes this will cure the problem, but usually it gets better for a couple of hundred miles , then gets much worse.
A few shops will repair them, if it is only the starting clutch set (the part that replaces a torque converter in a cvt) You are looking at about $1200. A genuine honda re-manufactured trans is about $4500 + labor. If you have a hondacare warranty, it will be covered.
You might check with a honda dealer to see if the factory will fix it , even if the warranty has expired. Things like this sometimes do happen.
I occasionally hear vague remarks about how long a GX engine will live. I'm wondering if those of you with actual first hand (or even second hand) experience with a high mileage GX would chime in with your big mileage numbers?!? (and perhaps issues you had with the ENGINE - if any)?
People with <100k need not apply! Who's furthest along??
Hello. I just got a 2000 GX. It has an eight gallon tank. The gas light comes on at around 135 miles. I've been told it can go 210-220 on a tank. But I'm a little nervous due to fewer fillup opportunities. I am only able to put about 4 gallons in when I'm in the red (155 miles) which makes it seem like I really can go much further. I would appreciate some words from the old-timers. Thanks. Nervous new owner.
Safe travel distance is about 160 miles at 3000 psi and about 190 at 3600 psi.
The tank capacity at 3600 psi and 70deg f. is 8 gge. That is under lab test conditions, not real world. Real world useable is about 5.5-6 at 3600.
If you are in so cal, get AAA plus , or some other towing plan that covers more than 5 miles. Sooner or later you will run out if you are stretching it. P.S. 2000 was a VERY good model year for the gx.
wow. only 160? that is kind of a bummer. when i bought it they told me 210-200.
what is gge - gallons?
i am only suppose to use 3000 psi, i think (that is the number inside the gas door. are you saying i could use 3600? someone said that 3000 gas was "lite" and used up faster.
do you know anyone who would put in a bigger tank? or an additional one? I DON'T NEED BACK SEATS!
im glad to know that 2000 was a good year. i love the car. i just don't love how often i fill up. and i can't see getting a PHIL, i'm a renter!
and i do have a good tow plan. i will be moving to so cal end of the year!
thanks so much. i really appreciate your response!
All civic gx models are 3600 psi. Try the 3600 nozzle at the fuel station, if it fits, fill it. I did see a mis labeled one (it was a 2000 model)You can also remove the trunk cover and look at the actual tank data plate.
Also be advised that many station have capacity problems and do not always provide a complete fill, even if the indicator says 100 %. The older stations have a dial gauge to see actual pressure, the newer stations do not. If I drive about 20 miles after the low fuel lite activates, I usually can put in 5.5 gge at 3600 psi. GGE is Gasoline Gallon Equivalent.
Bigger tank ? forget that one, but extra tanks can be fitted. Don't know where, due to small trunk size on the 98-00.
Even with the smaller trunk, I would trade my 01 for a 2000 any day !
okay - i will check my tank plate - interesting that all gx models are 3600! you are a font of knowledge and i can't tell you how much i appreciate you taking the time to educate me!
i would love to get an extra tank - id give up my back seats - id love to modify it to a two seater! do you know who puts in extra tanks?
when i filled it at an old station, the gauge was going past 3000 and i was a little worried - makes it seem like it is mislabeled!
Mario, at AFV Tech just emailed me that he had an extra (used tank) that would give you a few more gallons (GGE's). You can email him at mario@afvtech.com and tell him Curtis sent you. There are several other auxillary tan installers listed in the files section of the Yahoo group: Civicgxtalk. Curtis
In theory, one should replace the tank every 15 years according to the owner's manual. The Honda price is about $5,000 for the part, alone. Having a 1999 Civic, I wonder whether there will be a supply of tanks from newer wrecked CNG Civics, and furthermore, will they fit.
Has anybody had occasion to search for wrecked CNG Civics to get CNG-specific parts?
Pursuing an issue raised in prior posts, I find that my, 1999, GX owner's manual lists only one filter to service, and that is only to be "inspected" every 7,500 miles. The price of a new filter element, part # 25216, at Majestic Honda's (RI) website is only $21, but the exploded diagram for my 1999 on that excellent website shows some inexpensive O-rings that may be called to be replaced at the same time. There is no mention of a "high pressure" filter, either in the tank or elsewhere in my manual. Check the website for your medel year.
The part numubers for fuel tanks for different years on Majestic's website are different, and would seem to indicate that one cannot easily replace an "out of date" tank with a newer tank from a wreck. But Majestic's discounted price is less overwhelming than the list price, when the 15-year "life" is reached and IF one decides to replace the tank.
hey, curtis. thanks so much! you have been awesome. i actually started putting 3600 psi CNG in my car and it goes much farther! i got 162 miles before the gas light came on. and it was at 187 when i filled up. ROCK! ali
The CO tax breaks are great for a GX. Around 6k state and 4k federal. I'm also considering a purchase. Actually, I'm convinced, I just need to convince the wifey.
With a few stations as there are, I think a phill will be a good idea.
I live in the panhandle of florida. Found out our city gas company has a CNG refueling station in town, open 24/7. I am considering buying a used civic GX to use for work. Is there certain years to avoid? with transmission problems ect., or are they all about the same. Was considering older one due to only one station in town and don't know if this is going to be a great idea or not. I will only use this for work and I stay under 200 mi daily. So I figure I could fill up in AM before I leave town each day. Natural Gas is only $.79 gge at station. It wont be fesable to get home unit due to no incentives where I live. Thanks for any input.
2001 Had issues with the CVT's after 2002 there uncommon but not unheard of. 1998 - 2000 it had the regular tranny in it. Consider getting an extra tank installed in the trunk will help you with range instead of 200-240 miles you'l get 400 -450 miles out of it. I've done this for many of my customers
I don't know the dimensions of the installed tank and how much room is left. Can you install another factory 8 gallon tank on top of the existing one or is there not enough room? If not what is the biggest tank i could fit in there. I could get buy without trunk space.
I would suggest that the newest iteration (06/07) is well worth the bump in price. the newest generation civic is world's apart from the <05 ... airbags everywhere, more room, more features, much more solid. also a bigger tank? i have an 06, which has a 8.xx GGE tank, and I regularly get 250-260mi over a bad commute (SF bay area).
I have a 99 GX and it has worked out great for me, saves me a lot of dough. I am fairly sure that my 99 has the same size tank as the new ones, 8gge. The new GXs do get better mileage, I average about 35.5 with 85% highway speeds at 75.
Hello Everyone...I have a 2000 GX that I recently had the back seat taken out and added a second tank. I really don't believe Honda when they say the tank is an 8 gallon because on occasion, I had hit 4500 psi and it still only took 6.5. So I KNOW it is a 7 gallon. My additional tank is 9 gallons as it takes up the whole back seat area (door to door). The last time I filled up it took 12.5 gallons, but it still had more than a gallon of fuel left. I put 480 miles on before the "50 +" light came on driving mostly in town and 55 on the highway which gave me an even 40 MPG! Maybe if I change the fuel filter it will get even better because I've noticed some hesitation now and a little engine squeal I can't identify. It sounds something like a belt, but those were okay. I have 118,000 mi. on it now and live in AZ. gariadea
wow - that is exactly what i want to do with my 2000! where did you have that done? did they put something over the tank/how does it look? and you think when the gas light comes on that we have about 50 miles left? ROCK! ali
Yeah, it is so wonderful! I don't know where you are, but the expert tanksman is in Mesa, AZ. And get this, one guy in Phoenix wanted to charge $1500 for just a 2.8 gal. and this guy only charged $750 for the much larger tank and the carpeted cover platform he put over it another $250. It looks really nice! The guy in Mesa also will put a five gallon in the trunk if you don't want the larger one in the backseat. It just fits from end to end too, but now I still have my trunk space and have a larger range than the trunk one. Most people want to keep their backseat and go with the trunk, and it is still only $750. If you aren't close to AZ, you may be able to find someone to do it, but I will bet you it will be more than $750. His price is unbelievable! adea
I recently spoke with the owner of an after-market CNG conversion facility about the tank replacement and inspection schedule recommended by Honda. He said, "This is a direct result of America being a sue-happy nation. No other nation on earth has an expiration on their tanks. If you understood how they were made (and he showed me) you would KNOW that these things never go bad (unless something absolutely catastrophic happens to them, and even then, the chances are good that the fuel cell will be fine)."
The general design of these cells includes an inch of rolled steel covered with fiberglass and kevlar. The tanks are literally bullet-proof. Video showing how safe these tanks are indicate that they just don't fail. They may have a nozzle broken off and fuel may vent as a result, but the nozzle can be replaced and the tank itself is fine.
If you apply any kind of rational thought to what he said, it makes a lot of sense.
Anyway, if you or someone you love are "freaking" about it and you decide to replace your tank, you may want to source one from Honda Canada (or anywhere else in the world). Same tank, no expiration date. But according to him, replacing these tanks is nothing short of barking at the moon.
Thank a lawyer for this tiny tidbit of automotive service lunacy.
Comments
I have found that at the ones with the "Fuelforce" setup, where you press R for receipt, then it asks for the hose # then enter, well just press the 1 (if hose#1) then enter repeatedly, eventually it will print the receipt.
What happens to me is the buses fill up and dont get receipts, so I have to do this every night, sometimes 5 or six times.
J
Jay
$3500 for a Used FM
$750 to rebuild every 4000 hours or 4000 gallons.
So that works out to $.19 cents per gallon plus your cost of CNG from home probably right around $1.25. Then add in the electricty. So for about $1.50 per gallon from home is it worth it?
Thanks!
John
BTW my (regular) fillups are now costing 5-6$ at the Hemet RTA Station $1.654
Murphy
Murphy
thanks,
epi
Murphy
01 and 02 models had an electric servo recall, but I do not think it affects your model.
One sure way to find out if the cvt trans has failed is to have the fluid changed. You must use the specified fluid. Sometimes this will cure the problem, but usually it gets better for a couple of hundred miles , then gets much worse.
A few shops will repair them, if it is only the starting clutch set (the part that replaces a torque converter in a cvt) You are looking at about $1200. A genuine honda re-manufactured trans is about $4500 + labor. If you have a hondacare warranty, it will be covered.
You might check with a honda dealer to see if the factory will fix it , even if the warranty has expired. Things like this sometimes do happen.
People with <100k need not apply! Who's furthest along??
epi
b
The tank capacity at 3600 psi and 70deg f. is 8 gge. That is under lab test conditions, not real world. Real world useable is about 5.5-6 at 3600.
If you are in so cal, get AAA plus , or some other towing plan that covers more than 5 miles. Sooner or later you will run out if you are stretching it. P.S. 2000 was a VERY good model year for the gx.
what is gge - gallons?
i am only suppose to use 3000 psi, i think (that is the number inside the gas door. are you saying i could use 3600? someone said that 3000 gas was "lite" and used up faster.
do you know anyone who would put in a bigger tank? or an additional one? I DON'T NEED BACK SEATS!
im glad to know that 2000 was a good year. i love the car. i just don't love how often i fill up. and i can't see getting a PHIL, i'm a renter!
and i do have a good tow plan. i will be moving to so cal end of the year!
thanks so much. i really appreciate your response!
ali
Also be advised that many station have capacity problems and do not always provide a complete fill, even if the indicator says 100 %. The older stations have a dial gauge to see actual pressure, the newer stations do not.
If I drive about 20 miles after the low fuel lite activates, I usually can put in 5.5 gge at 3600 psi.
GGE is Gasoline Gallon Equivalent.
Bigger tank ? forget that one, but extra tanks can be fitted. Don't know where, due to small trunk size on the 98-00.
Even with the smaller trunk, I would trade my 01 for a 2000 any day !
i would love to get an extra tank - id give up my back seats - id love to modify it to a two seater! do you know who puts in extra tanks?
when i filled it at an old station, the gauge was going past 3000 and i was a little worried - makes it seem like it is mislabeled!
thank you!
Curtis
Has anybody had occasion to search for wrecked CNG Civics to get CNG-specific parts?
Ate the tanks, so far, fully interchangeable?
i've been looking in the so cal area, and can't find any.
thanks
jon
and
John contact me anytime about a GX with an extra tank 602-331-4700
Murphy
The part numubers for fuel tanks for different years on Majestic's website are different, and would seem to indicate that one cannot easily replace an "out of date" tank with a newer tank from a wreck. But Majestic's discounted price is less overwhelming than the list price, when the 15-year "life" is reached and IF one decides to replace the tank.
The CO tax breaks are great for a GX. Around 6k state and 4k federal. I'm also considering a purchase. Actually, I'm convinced, I just need to convince the wifey.
With a few stations as there are, I think a phill will be a good idea.
Thanks,
Mark
Murphy
epi
I am fairly sure that my 99 has the same size tank as the new ones, 8gge.
The new GXs do get better mileage, I average about 35.5 with 85% highway speeds at 75.
Maybe if I change the fuel filter it will get even better because I've noticed some hesitation now and a little engine squeal I can't identify. It sounds something like a belt, but those were okay. I have 118,000 mi. on it now and live in AZ.
gariadea
adea
The general design of these cells includes an inch of rolled steel covered with fiberglass and kevlar. The tanks are literally bullet-proof. Video showing how safe these tanks are indicate that they just don't fail. They may have a nozzle broken off and fuel may vent as a result, but the nozzle can be replaced and the tank itself is fine.
If you apply any kind of rational thought to what he said, it makes a lot of sense.
Anyway, if you or someone you love are "freaking" about it and you decide to replace your tank, you may want to source one from Honda Canada (or anywhere else in the world). Same tank, no expiration date. But according to him, replacing these tanks is nothing short of barking at the moon.
Thank a lawyer for this tiny tidbit of automotive service lunacy.
Cordially, -Art