GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

TerribleTim

Glad someone else is doing this trick. It improved my highway mpg and the pep around town. That Matrix owners website is informative. Not surprised the Matrix improved with the CAI since it has a similar setup to the Vibe, wheras the Celica is more open and designed for performance. Like I said, thi...

TerribleTim

Update- Pulled the cams. Very easy. Everyone says tie up the chain, but the chain can't drop. There's a big piece of metal under the timing cover keeping it up within reach. I tied it up anyway to make sure it didn't jump a tooth on the crank sprocket and mess up my timing. About six valves were out...

TerribleTim

No problemo. I would put a used head on in an instant if I thought it needed it, i.e. mine is cracked. In fact, I"'m intrigued by your comment on a Celica head with bigger valves. Something interesting to consider. Really, I hate repairing repair jobs, especially my repair jobs. I'm hoping to g...

TerribleTim

New Toyota head bolts since the process is torque to yield. I checked the block with a straight edge and it looked ok. My machinist claimed they seldom warp, but I have no confidence in him anymore. I'm trying to fix this coolant leak without removing the head. If retorquing the head doesn't work, m...

TerribleTim

Stumbled across this writeup on adjusting the valves on a 1ZZ-FE, which makes removing the cams look easy. Just remove the chain tensioner and tie up the chain. As mentioned, I have a few loud valves due to a poor valve job. Nice of Toyota not to provide adjustments. At least they give a table of bu...

TerribleTim

Thanks for the input. I did a valve job on this car two years ago which is why I fer sure don't want to take off the timing cover again. You are definitely correct. Unless I hang the chain under tension (like with a spring), there's enough slack for it to drop off the crank sprocket, which would rui...

TerribleTim

Thanks for the input. That write up would be appreciated.
I think I saw it originally in a shop manual.

TerribleTim

I need to retorque the head bolts after reassembling the base engine. (ouch- don't ask). I seem to remember reading something about removing the cams with the timing cover still on and hanging the chain so it doesn't drop inside the cover. Anyone know if it's even possible to pull the cams while lea...

TerribleTim

Tried everything in this forum before removing the airbag, but it ended up being easy.

If you did it a second time, you couldn't flip the gear again. Did you buy a new actuator? Who & price?

Btw great pix. Is that a phone camera or what?

TerribleTim

Tnx. Yes, I realize half the atf is stll in the torque converter after you drain the pan, so each 4.5 qt drain and refill ($40ea) dilutes the contaminents 50%. when do I quit?. The fluid looks real good on the dipstick after my one drain, and it has reduced the code to essentially none. Update- afte...

TerribleTim

Good radiators are precious in Phoenix in the summer, especially since everyone started using plastic tanks. A lot of blown head gaskets around here. Modine used to make an all metal USA lifetime radiator for "Asian" cars. Tnx for the info on Toyo tstats. I only use OEM tstats and waterpum...

TerribleTim

Check. Alternators, too. That leaves only pwr steering pumps as far as complex rebuilds. Fortunately, they don't fail much, plus new cars use electric assist for fuel economy. The ps fluid (Dexron) on my Vibe was looking pretty dirty and I flushed it, cleaned the reservoir and the fluid still looks ...

TerribleTim

Yes. I did a complete flush and drain and reflush when I had the head off for the valve job. There's even a little drain plug in the back on the driver side to completely drain the block. There was no mixing of different types of coolants here. Frankly, I didn't even know Toyota had their own coolan...

TerribleTim

Update- On the return road trip, total trip about 2500 miles, code p0741 came up three times within 200 miles in exactly the same way. Pulled off the freeway for gas,food,pit stop, etc. turned the car off for 15-30 min and then went back onto the fway ramp within 1/4 mile. I don't accelerate real ha...

TerribleTim

I just checked the pressure on that new Firestone compact spare for the first time in a few years.
It was 22psi and its supposed to be 60.
Glad I didn't need it on my recent road trip.

TerribleTim

No.
I used Prestone GM Dexcool from the local Autozone.
I think it's called out in the owners manual.
Mixed 50-50 with distilled water.

TerribleTim

Ordered a pair of Monroe QuickStrut kits which is the entire assy from Rock Auto to speed up the job. Fyi the guys at Rock seem to feel ACDelco is the oem strut on the Vibe. They may be confusing the Vibe with other Pontiacs, but its possible. The Matrix listing doesn't state which is the oem brand,...

TerribleTim

Vibro- Tnx for all the info and attachment. I use shock and strut terms interchangeably, but am aware of the mechanical difference. I usually say strut assembly and shock for the dampener part(without the spring / mount), but appreciate the need for accuracy and conciseness. My boots are shot from t...

TerribleTim

Tnx for the input, Vibro. Sounds good. This is strictly a comfort car, so I may let price make the call. Pretty sure the Monroes will win. I had bad experience with Monroes years ago on Macpherson struts, but that was too long ago to be relevant. You sure the oem shocks are KYB?? I didn't look while...

TerribleTim

So what's a good shock these days??

Since its the front, might as well go quality.

TerribleTim

Hey!!

Anyone know which models came with cross bars and which didn't??

Mine has an adjustable pair which came in handy for mounting a cb antenna, but I notice a bunch out there without and they don't look easy to remove. Of course, the Matrix apparently never had them.

Just curious...

TerribleTim

Thanks, Guys. I wondered about the alignment after taking out the two 22mm bolts on the strut. Someone in this forum has even mentioned the slack in these holes is a good camber adjustment which the Vibe doesn't have. And I've had a runaround with alignment inspections in the past. Regarding pairs, ...

TerribleTim

Thanks. Good point. The Gatorback went on and off real easy compared with the new, much thicker belt, in terms of how much I had to compress the tensioner. The tensioner feels good so I don't know if I'd call it a problem as much as the Gatorback may have put it out of its design range, although the...

TerribleTim

Here's another cause for rattles besides the many listed on threads here besides alternator & waterpump. My oem serpentine drive belt was getting old and cracked, so someone recommended Goodyear Gatorback. Ended up finally finding one online which I installed. After, I kept hearing annoying ratt...

TerribleTim

Update-- I replaced the LF strut mount to fix the clunking noise with a Gabriel from Rock Auto. No dice, The noise is still there, just slightly different sound and it feels tighter. I checked the shock with the spring off and it didn't look wet, but it felt funny, a little loose. I should have repl...

TerribleTim

Update--- I called a local place that just sells radiators and described the problem. They said it sounds like a bunch of tubes in the radiator are plugged and replace or flush it. Apparently it doesn't take much with these tiny tubes. I took it back to Autozone last summer and they gave me a new on...

TerribleTim

Update---
The permatex black on the door switch didn't last very long.
I used a hot melt glue gun and it works great and is still tight. No fixturing, just hold still for 30 secs.
Was thinking about JB Weld, but I may have to take this switch off someday...

TerribleTim

Finally got around to fixing this issue. My CEL kept coming on more frequently, especially on hot, highway driving and pulling trailers. Had to wait till my garage was 110F to start work :o . Drained the fluid. Ya gotta love Toyota for not only putting a pan on this trans, but a drain plug as well. ...

TerribleTim

I finally did this mod a few weeks ago with a flat bore drill and a small jigsaw. Cut out about a six inch wide section across the bottom and went up about two inches on the front and back sides. IOW a major opening. I was surprised that the lower airbox was still very rigid and strong after these c...

TerribleTim

Hi RFG i put the damper in recirc for two years before I fixed it because I need max AC here. Figured if I need fresh air I could open a window or the roof. I just pushed the recirc switch till I got the clicking, then unplugged the blue / green wire from the actuator. There is a locking tab on the ...

TerribleTim

I think I could get my money back from Autozone if I had to based on the overheating. I know those guys. Great point on the air in the system. This block has a small petcock in the back on the driver side to completely drain the system which I used when I cleaned and flushed, so I was concerned abou...

TerribleTim

Hey! Thanks for the info. $58 is great for a Denso. I'll probably go for it when I get back home. I use Autozone on parts where they offer lifetime warranty because I keep my cars forever. I also have ceramic brakes on the front from them, second free pair. Work OK so far. The Vibe has good brakes w...

TerribleTim

Jake- We all wish this was true. The hvac on the matrix is completely different than the vibe. If you go to RockAuto.com, they sell this actuator for the Vibe but not for the Matrix. I think this says something about Toyotas "history of failure." Zorren- You sure this isn't two numbers for...

TerribleTim

Reaccion- You sure asked the right question. The Denso is a double row for sure?? I used to replace the oem radiators in my Hondas with all metal (metal tanks), but can't find them for the wife's Vibe. I replaced her radiator with a cheap Autozone (need to look up make) during a valve job, along wit...

TerribleTim

Thanks. Agree completely.
Will price the blues. The Yaris only has 35K on it, but I feel it's an unsafe condition.

TerribleTim

The Vibe is my wife's daily driver, so the plan is to keep it reliable and comfortable. The car with the issue is an 07 Yaris. Not a performance car, which is why there's no coilovers, but the Tokico adjustables or maybe the blue HP's could fix it. The problem is front end sway or roll at high speed...

TerribleTim

Tnx for the input, Jeremy. Mega, for the same money I would go for the Tokico, although I suspect they may be quite a bit more. KYB 's are all over online for cheap. I discovered Tokico has a line of adjustable shocks which may be the answer to front end sway on other car I have. I was looking for c...

TerribleTim

Unless they got a defective rebuild, the problem should go away for at least 100K miles. Most trans rebuilders install new, rebuilt torque convertors on this job. The LTC is the first thing that comes out after the trans is removed from the car. The issue is that no trans rebuilder is going to warra...

TerribleTim

Yes. Like I said above, chances are it's a slight slippage in the lockup torque converter, which is no big deal. The rest of the trans is fine. At worst if the LTC stops locking up completely, your hwy mpg will drop slightly. Before LTC, all automatic trans slipped by design. The situation is that m...

TerribleTim

I haven't changed the fluid yet, but am going on a couple road trips in Aug, so I need to do it soon. I have not had the light come on again since. Have you checked what code is coming up with the light?? You can get it read for free at most parts stores (except in CA). Pulling the battery cable may...

TerribleTim

So Mega, did you replace the struts, and did the clunking go away? What brand??

I got the same thing on the LF.

I thought it was ball jts, but my alignment guys says this strut is leaking.
I'm looking for opinions on strut brands.
I also stay away from Monroe.

TerribleTim

Good point, I can remember many VW Bugs in the 60's with rear wheel camber that was obviously extreme due to the short half shafts, especially when retro with big tires/ wheels. Regarding the Vibe, the specs are right on the computer printouts which is in nice diagram format. My regular alignment gu...

TerribleTim

I think you're right, but I don't see any evidence mine was removed, like the burned bulb in yours.
Thanks.

TerribleTim

Reccion:
there's three "center consoles" we're referring to.
1- with the radio
2- with the gear shifter
3- with the parking brake
I was wondering if you had any idea if it was 1 or 2?

TerribleTim

My dealer has a new revenue enhancement procedure. Â They check alignment on all cars right in the intake bay. Lasers sure are great. Â He reports that my camber on both fronts is out and wants $100 to adjust. Â This would have been a good deal if it included the front camber bolt retrofit kits, sin...

TerribleTim

Reaccion: "...they were working on the center console right under the radio/gear shifter and Not at the center console where the emergency brake is at." Do you mean the center console panel in the dash with the radio and AC controls in it or the center console with the shifter and map hold...

TerribleTim

Hi Guys Just went thru this after my dealer did a free alignment check during the airbag recall and said my front camber was out on both sides. The are three mfrs at Rock Auto (delco, Moog, Raybestos) that make adjustable camber bolt retrofits, Specialty makes same at OReillys. They're between $20-3...

TerribleTim

I swung by the dealer to ask about the recall on Fri and he told me the fix was under the center console. I didn't ask if that was the center console in the dash, with the radio, or the one below with the shifter in it. He also said it was a slow day and they could get me thru in under an hour if I ...

TerribleTim

A few years ago, I was dropping a load off in the local dump and one of my rear tires snagged something that ripped the sidewall. No problem, I sez. I have a compact spare I regularly check the pressure on and can slap it on in 5 minutes. And it was done in a flash. Never been used prior. Lo and beh...

TerribleTim

I just got done doing a lot of routine maintence and repairs and one was gluing the bottom of the driver door master switch panel down (permatex black-- Lol). I was looking at one in a boneyard and noticed the bottom is where it latches to the door liner. The panel has been loose for a while and my ...

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