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2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:49 am
by dantes
I just picked up a nice 2009 vibe with the 1.8l engine and auto trans. when I start it in the morning first thing it sound like it is going to fall apart for a few seconds then I quiets out and runs fine. sounds like it is out of oil so I changed the filter (wix) and put synthetic oil in it and still the same thing. someone said might be a idler pulley. the vehicle only has 82000 miles on it and I got the Carfax report and only one owner and very good service records. oil changed on time. any idea what it might be? somebody point me in the right direction?

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:09 pm
by MacGyver
Mine does that when cold. I think it's the belt. I want to try a gatorback belt to see if the noise goes away.

The 1.8L only has four pulleys - drive, water pump, A/C, and alternator. If a new belt doesn't solve the problem, it's almost certainly the water pump. The OEM water pump on the 1.8L was junk, usually failed before the warranty was up, and if yours lasted this long, be glad.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 8:25 pm
by dragon64
The noise you hear is from the hydraulic cam gear actuators in the variable valve timing system. The noise goes away as soon as the oil pressure builds up after starting the engine.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 11:00 pm
by jolt
MacGyver wrote:Mine does that when cold. I think it's the belt. I want to try a gatorback belt to see if the noise goes away.
If you think it is the belt, try putting some baby powder on the belt. The baby powder helps lube the belt and pulley groves and will reduce or stop the noise if that is were the noise is coming from. The baby powder worked wonders on my pickup belt noise. The only problem is the powder washes off so I just sprinkle on some more powder and the noise goes away. I replaced the belt three times and a new belt (Dayco, Gates, and some other cheap brand) would only last about 6 months and the noise would start to come back. I even laser aligned all the pulley's but the noise would come back. I think the pulley grooves were worn. After that I just used the baby powder.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2017 7:36 am
by vibrologist
Use some sandpaper on the pulley grooves. It might help.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 8:21 am
by dantes
dragon64 wrote:The noise you hear is from the hydraulic cam gear actuators in the variable valve timing system. The noise goes away as soon as the oil pressure builds up after starting the engine.
think this might be on track my mechanic friend said take out the synthetic oil and put a 10-30 regular oil in it and check the noise. did this last night and the noise is just barely noticeable now. think with a few more miles on it will get lots better. :)

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 9:54 am
by jolt
Is this the noise? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzzboZDObbs , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4R-9NliWFU , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obrc9kouxPI or watch other videos on this same topic for Toyota.

Also see TSB attached.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Sat May 19, 2018 11:50 am
by Caretaker
Yep, the first and third videos are the only ones that really exhibit the noise. The middle one sounds low on oil. This low tone rattle is the timing gear actuator noise. The higher pitch, metal on metal grinding noise (not included in your video montage) is the bendix gear in the starter going bad. Dealer service departments are making a killing by unnecessarily replacing the actuators when it is not the real issue in most cases.

Re: 2009 base 1.8l

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 1:00 pm
by dantes
that is the noise my 2009 Vibe is making now. I have 85000 miles on it now so no warranty repair for this baby