GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

jayoldschool

Another great thread for us second owners. Thanks for the bump.

We need a new FAQ...

jayoldschool

Stop overthinking this. You are probably low on 134a. Follow up question: So I can add coolant to the system even if the compressor isn't on? I was under the impression that a recharge was only feasible if the system is operational and the compressor is pulling the pressure low. However, I've also ...

jayoldschool

Just keep running your VIN on the GM recall website. It'll show up there first.

jayoldschool

Stop overthinking this. You are probably low on 134a.

jayoldschool

Here's some great reading for everyone...

http://jalopnik.com/the-complete-story- ... 1780143347

jayoldschool

No worries, just wanted you to know why they were that shape. If you're going to stick with the used ones, I would suggest red Loctite.

jayoldschool

These bags can kill you. Go get your recalls done. Take pics, do whatever makes you feel better, but go get it taken care of.

jayoldschool

I put 4 new Monroe Quick-Struts in my Vibe. I hope for better comfort. So far there is less harshness. I used the old nuts on the front struts because the new nuts are severely ovalized. That must be the reason some folks had to deal with broken studs. New Quick-Struts (2).JPG New Quick-Struts (3)....

jayoldschool

Thanks for bumping this, it's great to have info like this for us 2nd owners.

I'm going to check my 04 tomorrow, the AC is not super cold when it's really hot out.

jayoldschool

You pry out and pull back. This will likely break one of the mounting clips. I lost one after removing my cross bars, so I glued the replacement in place with Ultra Black.

jayoldschool

Hmm, the center bore is the same 54.1mm for all the Vibes (and my new Corolla wheels). The 2.4 engine gen 2s had 5x114 bolt pattern, but the 1.8s stuck with the 5x100. 2010 Corolla wheels should have fit fine, too. Same bolt pattern, same center bore (54.1mm). http://www.wheel-size.com/size/toyota/c...

jayoldschool

lol, yes, they fit, they're on the car. Yours didn't fit because the Gen 2 Vibes got a different bolt pattern. For some reason (lucky for me), Toyota kept the 1st Gen 5x100 pattern on some of their other cars.

jayoldschool

Here they are. Nicer than the ones I posted, they are actually dark charcoal with machined face and lip. Center caps wouldn't clip in, so they are glued with Ultra Black. Had to clean up and paint the drums... can't have rusty showing through the new wheels! http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e202/ja...

jayoldschool

Friends just wrote off a 2016 Corolla. They still had their winter wheels on it, so they kept the stock wheels and tires. Tires went to someone else, I got the wheels. Exact specs for the Vibe, and I think they will look good on my silver/grey 2004. Mint shape. The wheels are two tone silver/graphit...

jayoldschool

Just check the offset and compare with the stock Vibe specs.

For lugs, you need conical seat lug nuts. Don't use the ones that come on Vibe alloys.

Here's a comparison:

jayoldschool

Any MK IV wheels. Beetle, Golf, Jetta, etc. Not Passat (bigger bolt pattern). 15s, 16s, 17s, 18s.

jayoldschool

The answer's in your post: it was the next day for your dad, not a month later.

jayoldschool

It's not the shop's fault, look at how long it ran. If you don't check your oil, it's not someone else's fault. On my car, the oil sender failed, allowing the oil to leak, rapidly, when the car was running. No leak when sitting. This went for two days. One more day, and my car would have run dry. I ...

jayoldschool

If you had pulled over at the first light noise, you might have saved it. Another 20 miles? It's toast. The only "saving" for that engine is to rebuild it. At a minimum, it will need crank bearings, but everything will need to be checked. Just pick up a good used engine at a yard, get a wa...

jayoldschool

Welcome from a fellow Ottawan!

jayoldschool

Just ask the mechanic for a quote on a clutch replacement. Same labour. I'm an experienced shade tree, and have done transmission swaps many times. I did mine on a lift, with another real tech. We took our time, and were done in about five hours.

jayoldschool

SOOO happy with my 6 speed swap. It was inexpensive, and easy. Car drives great. I went with 205 60 16s to bring the top gear rpm back a bit.

jayoldschool

The relay is a common failure (from what I've read).

jayoldschool

I'll check it running on the low. I agree that it may be low enough to not engage the pressure switch, I just threw the gauge on it to make sure it didn't leak out the complete charge (and it hasn't). I don't think the low should be reading 80-100 with the car off... what do you base that info on? I...

jayoldschool

Just found out that mine's not working as well. 04 base. Relay swap wouldn't work, checked low side pressure with car off, it's about 25. I'll test the compressor clutch next!

jayoldschool

Get it up in the air on a hoist, and start pushing and wiggling everything. You'll find your noise (and probably a couple more). I'd also check on the G8 forum, someone will have experienced the same as you. Nice car, I'm a fan of fat fast four doors... I've got a 96 SS that I swapped a T56 six spee...

jayoldschool

I believe that Vibe and Matrix came out of different plants. The VIbe was US in the NUMMI plant., the Matrix was made in Canada.

jayoldschool

Use Timken or another US/Canadian made brand for the rears. No China. Fronts aren't hubs, they're press off/on bearings. Use Timken again. I just did my right front with Timken. What a difference!

jayoldschool

We should clarify that some engines spec 5w30, while later ones spec 5w20

jayoldschool

The increase in RPM is insignificant, and easily mitigated with a slightly taller tire. Gas mileage is the exact same so far since my swap (I log every tank). This is with the correct (stock) tire height. It will get taller 205 60 16s next week. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e202/jayoldschool/DS...

jayoldschool

Sound going away on heat up is classic exhaust leak. Block to manifold, broken manifold bolt, manifold to down pipe are the three likely causes.

jayoldschool

Don't have that trans rebuilt. Swap it for a 6 speed!!!

jayoldschool

Noise started well under 100k miles, trans lasted another 1.5 years and 10k miles. I knew it was going to go, and I drove it really really gentle. Shifts at or under 3k, no power shifts, no full throttle, under 70mph always. It failed less than a mile from my house, and I limped it in third another ...

jayoldschool

I looked on car-part.com, found a few in my area, and settled on one that was close enough to ship in a day. Paid 650 CDN, with clutch and PP, and they threw in the GT steering wheel and shift knob. I used Amsoil Severe Gear in the trans.

jayoldschool

Not groundbreaking, but brings commonly known info to the masses. The highway revs are blatantly incorrect. At 100kph/62mph, my base Vibe with a swapped 6 speed is turning around 3200rpm. No real tech info about the swap in the article. Much of the article is padding and could use some editing. His ...

jayoldschool

Here's what I've learned... - yes, still an issue, but apparently the bearing that fails (and destroys the trans) is slightly better in the 05-up 5 speeds - noise is what to look for. On mine, it would make noise when power was applied, and would lessen when coasting. My trans eventually failed, mak...

jayoldschool

2003 M+T doesn't have a sub.

jayoldschool

I'm far from an expert, but I do recall reading that you can use the earlier computer and re-pin it. This gives lower RPM activation. Someone with more tech exp than me will know.

jayoldschool

Ben, I'm not wrong, the dealer is. They are a GM dealer, they can do it. They just don't want to. Call GM and report them.

jayoldschool

My recall was done at a Chevy dealer. Any GM dealer can do it. There are no more Pontiac dealers, lol.

jayoldschool

My clunking noise was a bad front wheel bearing. Replaced it last week, all is silent now.

jayoldschool

BBQ paint is not only tough, but the best/cheap paint I've come across that perfectly matches the factory sheen on wheels. Not gloss, not flat. Just right.

jayoldschool

It will be less expensive to get a brand new set of steel wheels delivered from Costco or Tire Rack than to have wheels blasted and coated. New steel wheels are really inexpensive. If you want to refresh yours, wire wheel, primer, and BBQ paint will deliver satisfactory results.

jayoldschool

Thanks, guys, I'll look for a how-to (and check Mitchell).

jayoldschool

Matrixowners.com (about as active as here)

Toyotanation.com

FWIW, my 04 1ZZ manual trans behaves similarly...

jayoldschool

Installed a new Pioneer HU today. Any idea what the extra black plug is that went into the stock HU? The small square one that was next to the big rectangular blue plug. No place for it on the new one's harness. System seemed to work fine without that plugged into anything, but I only tested in in t...

jayoldschool

Got my shipment, thank you!

jayoldschool

Wow, it's like a new car. Clutch is perfect, engages much sooner. Shifts smoothly. The ratios and gearing are much more suited to the engine than the old 5 speed. It feels like there is much more power. I'm actually looking forward to daily driving this thing again. Been in a Dodge Caliber for the l...

jayoldschool

Trans swap done. Started at 10:am, one hour break for lunch, done at 4:00pm. Old fluid was black, with lots of metal particles and sheen. Rotating the input shaft by hand was noisy. The new trans was silent, and the fluid was clear when I dropped it before putting in the Amsoil. Swap went well. Rear...

jayoldschool

Great, thanks for the confirmation! New trans, new radio... it's going to be a good week!

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