Hi Gang!

[Rocco]

I bought a little Jazz last night for my son to use, him having just passed his driving test last week.

It's a 2008 model with a super-frugal 1.2L engine and in good overall condition.  I don't even know whether to call it a mark 1 or mark 2 but it's the last of the 2002-2008 model range.

I'm also having some trouble finding resources related to the L12A4 engine it has.  Any Google search just throws up a few dozen sites for buying a spare engine, nothing on the technical side and all I want to know is whether it has a chain, belt, gear-driven or magical fairy dust valve timing.

I need to nail down the exact model of this car because it also needs the air-con repairing (most likely a hole in the radiator) but there are different types for the same car.   I'll get my head under the bonnet later and try to suss it out, just thought it would be a good idea to join up on here first - so thanks for having me.

I drove the little thing back home about 20 miles last night, mix of motorway and A-road and I get 67mpg!!!  Why didn't I buy one of these for myself sooner?

[olduser1]

Good choice as a 1st car, for parts try putting your reg details or VIN into coxhindaparts, they are highly rated in this forum and official Honda.
Any odd parts give them a call, or as I always mention nip along to your local breakers yard - you can be sure the used part is Honda & will fit

[RichardA]

Hello and welcome.

[nowster]

Welcome! The spare parts place referred to is https://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/

I doubt they'll have bits for the AC on a Mk1 Jazz, though.

https://www.coxmotorparts.co.uk/honda-shop/honda-jazz/2002-2008-jazz/

[Jocko]

It is a GD5 Mk 1 fitted with a Dual Spark ignition engine.
L12A i-DSI

L12A i-DSI engine
Available exclusively in the European domestic market Jazz and available with only a 5-speed manual transmission.
Displacement: 1.2 L; 76.0 cu in (1,246 cc)
Bore x Stroke: 73 mm × 74.4 mm (2.87 in × 2.93 in)
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Power: 78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp) at 5,700 rpm
Torque: 110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm
Variations: L12A1
SOHC 8 valves
8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder

It has a chain drive which requires no maintenance. Valve clearance checks are recommended but most owners don't bother as adjustment is never required. Another maintenance item not required is replacing the fuel filter.
The engine has eight spark plugs, and non-Honda garages often overlook the rear set at servicing.
The engine has great low-down torque and will pull in 5th from under 30 mph.
The handbrake on all Jazz models is disc and can be a bit lacking in grip. The secret is to apply the footbrake and while holding the pedal apply the handbrake.
My 2006 Jazz averaged 55 mpg over 6 years and 62.5K and had done 149.5K before rust got the better of it.
A brilliant car for a first timer.

[Rocco]

Good choice as a 1st car, for parts try putting your reg details or VIN into coxhindaparts, they are highly rated in this forum and official Honda.
Any odd parts give them a call, or as I always mention nip along to your local breakers yard - you can be sure the used part is Honda & will fit

Thanks for that tip.  I should have mentioned that I live in Germany so I'm more likely to buy spares on eBay, which is why I need to figure out the exact model and engine I have.

[Rocco]

It is a GD5 Mk 1 fitted with a Dual Spark ignition engine.
L12A i-DSI

L12A i-DSI engine
Available exclusively in the European domestic market Jazz and available with only a 5-speed manual transmission.
Displacement: 1.2 L; 76.0 cu in (1,246 cc)
Bore x Stroke: 73 mm × 74.4 mm (2.87 in × 2.93 in)
Compression Ratio: 10.8:1
Power: 78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp) at 5,700 rpm
Torque: 110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft) at 2,800 rpm
Variations: L12A1
SOHC 8 valves
8 spark plugs, 2 per cylinder

It has a chain drive which requires no maintenance. Valve clearance checks are recommended but most owners don't bother as adjustment is never required. Another maintenance item not required is replacing the fuel filter.
The engine has eight spark plugs, and non-Honda garages often overlook the rear set at servicing.
The engine has great low-down torque and will pull in 5th from under 30 mph.
The handbrake on all Jazz models is disc and can be a bit lacking in grip. The secret is to apply the footbrake and while holding the pedal apply the handbrake.
My 2006 Jazz averaged 55 mpg over 6 years and 62.5K and had done 149.5K before rust got the better of it.
A brilliant car for a first timer.

My engine is an L12A4 built in China.  I have no idea what difference it has to the L12A1 engine.

There is a little hesitation pulling away in 1st but I thought it was clutch related, I will replace the plugs though.  I've lost count of the amount of "fully serviced" cars and motorbikes that have such dirty air filters that they could be factory fitted from new, I trust nobody to have done a thorough job. 

Thanks for your advice.

[Jocko]

I think you will find the L12A is the engine fitted to all models sold in Europe and they are all the same. The variation may refer to where the engine was manufactured (mine was manufactured in Japan). The VIN will give you that information. The clutch on the Jazz is a pig and I never quite got the hang of it.
As well as the air filter you should also check the pollen filter which is easily accessed behind the innards of the glove box. You just pull the shelf out and the entire glove box comes out. You don't even have to empty it.
The Mk 1 Jazz had gearbox issues with a noisy input shaft bearing (it would get noisier but wouldn't fail), but by 2008 they seemed to have changed the spec of the bearing.

[Rocco]

I took the pollen filter out earlier and yes, it was extremely easy compared to other cars I've had.  So was the air filter in fact, both are fairly clean so will leave them for a while.  I may just hoover out the dust and bugs from the cabin filter.

I had a side light bulb out so decided to replace it but couldn't remove the headlamp without taking the bumper off and a metal bracket that the lamp was secured to.  Not quite as easy as most other cars for this task.

The condensor has definitely seen better days.  All the fins are missing at the lower section, not damaged or full of flies or stones but gone completely! 

I read that someone else on here had bought a Nissens branded replacement and I've found one on eBay too,  ref. 940051.  Fortunately there is a plate that tells me that the system is a HFC134a and so if it is a good match then I'll buy it, replace the knackered one and then get a professional to fill up the system again.

That's about all that needs doing so it won't distract me for too long from the Morris Minor I am restoring - slowly.   

[Jocko]

The bulbs are replaced by peeling back the wheel arch protector and working from there. A real pig of a job. If you do the sidelight you are as well replacing the headlight at the same time.

This was mine in its later years.

[Rocco]

Stunning colour.  What happened to it, did it go rusty?

[Jocko]

Yes. It was the rust that killed it. Put it in for its MOT in December and it needed about £1000 spent on welding repairs. At one time, any garage did welding, but now it has to go to a specialist repairer.
The colour was Vivid Blue Pearl. It was such a reliable, economical car. I just checked its MOT history and that was the only MOT it failed since 2011. And even more surprising, It has been repaired, MOTd, and is back on the road.

[Westy36]

Welcome to the forum