GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

cptnsolo77

Just hit 299K this week

cptnsolo77

On my 03 I went up to a 22" on the DS, and gives some more coverage without hitting the window trim. 18" on the PS. Cant go higher than 18 on the PS....I tried

cptnsolo77

Cooper Evolution Tour. Quietest tire I have had on the Vibe over my 15 years of ownership. If you want less road noise....TRUST me....these are the tires.

cptnsolo77

Yes it worked on the Vibe. No I did not have to remove the dash to access the pivot points. Its been about 2 years ? Maybe ?? If you dont feel comfortable with it I dont advise doing it. Crazy glue can be messy. There was a disclaimer

cptnsolo77

This might sound CRAZY, but I used CRAZY glue :lol: but hear me out. I put a SMALL dab on the pivot points of the vent, then immediately start wiggling the vent until it feels still stiff, but not to the point where its glued/fixed in one spot. The key is to not let the glue dry with the vent in a f...

cptnsolo77

No I havent done a compression test after. The reduction in oil consumption and smoother idle was enough for me. However, it didnt completely resolve my problem. It still idles a bit rough cold, but then smooths out after it reached operation temp...BUT that span of time where it smooths out is much...

cptnsolo77

Its funny because I have known about marvel mystery oil for the longest time, but thought it was snake oil. No lie....EACH time I had done a oil change with a full quart of the marvel oil it feels smoother than the last oil change. I just did my 3rd oil change with marvel oil/valvoline and it didnt ...

cptnsolo77 · Re: Rough Idle ( LONG ) **UPDATED 10-29-22** Updated

Updated

cptnsolo77

ColonelPanic wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 1:53 pm Here is a thread where we discussed it on the 1st gen. If anything, it'd give you an idea what the washer looks like at least.

Thats my post from 2014

Still have the Vibe too and havent replaced the washer at 292K

cptnsolo77

I just used Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish for my headlights. I have used the 3M and Meguires headlight resto kits and I got equal results without any sanding with the mothers polish. Do y a Youtube search on it. Done in minutes ! Just follow up with a clear coat or some sort of UV protection. You ...

cptnsolo77

Need a Vibe replacement, and read the Escape is a slow seller and may be a opportunity for savings in this crazy used car market. Anyone drive one ?

cptnsolo77

I have Polk DB651s in the front and removed the OEM speaker spacer.

cptnsolo77

3.99 this past Sunday. Lets see what it looks like this Sunday

cptnsolo77

At first I was using Purolator Classic, then switched to Purolator Pure 1. So Purolator pretty much for the the life of the vibe. I wouldnt say its a favorite but priced decent, and that why I buy it.

cptnsolo77

Got my booster. No more buffering on Netflix

cptnsolo77

I recently upgraded the dipstick and noticed less valve tapping with startups on colder days. It would go away after engine reaches operating temp. Time will tell if it improved the oil consumption. Given that Im at 280K I dont see that happening but hey.....reduced noise on cold startups...I will t...

cptnsolo77

Been a busy week: -New tires. Bridgestone ECOPIA 150. Guys....these tires are super quiet. It will REALLY help with road noise if thats an issue for you. I had Cooper Evolution Tour tires prior to these and I thought the Coopers were quiet :o . The Bridgestones are quieter than the Coopers. I couldn...

cptnsolo77

Gave these LED fogs a try. The LED technology has been improving so I thought why not. They are nice a bright, but they makes the yellow halogens look silly at night. Yellow headlights and white fogs....and yes my headlight lenses are clear :lol: The bulb base doesnt fit that snug though as the halo...

cptnsolo77

I just replaced my air filter and it made more of an improvement than I thought it would. Apparently I had the "budget" Toyota/Denso filter in there and it was not only fouling my MAF sensor, but also throwing off the air/fuel ratio. Also, it didn't look dirty at all, but it was "she...

cptnsolo77

Throttle body was removed and cleaned about 30K ago when I cleaned the IACV. I recently cleaned the throttle body without removal. The backside of the plate wasnt that dirty and I saw no difference in idle. That was one of the quick items to check before I dove in deeper with time and $$$$. To be ho...

cptnsolo77

No magic bullet huh ? I guess any improvement is good. Im still going to give the coils a shot anyway. back to the drawing board I guess ?

At this point my Vibe is 18 year car and cannot be perfect ( even though I wont give up )

cptnsolo77

I have been using High Mileage Castrol Synth Blend since 2011,with Purolator filters. The PVC was replaced 2 years ago, when I began this rough idle journey :lol: I will look into Liqui Moly oil saver. I just purchased the upgraded dipstick for the 1ZZ that brings the oil level from 3.9 to 4.4 quart...

cptnsolo77

Actually replacing the coils will be my next plan of action as well. I figured coils are easier to replace than " neutralizing " the mounts. Worse case I can return the coils if I see no improvement. The coils were replaced in 2019 but I did have 1 coil go bad already and gave me a code......

cptnsolo77

Any updates ?

cptnsolo77

Any info is well appreciated. Thats what these forums are for ;) I would hate to think the issue is harmonic balancers or balance shafts. I will agree with you though. There isnt much play on the passenger side mount. I cant remember if the driver side bracket for the mount is slotted but I know in ...

cptnsolo77

Looks like its time to have some front suspension work done

Which is better ? Moog or AC Delco ?

cptnsolo77

That third post is from me lol. My engine does sit a little crooked. You can tell because the passenger side mount shaped like a backward 7 is crooked. I also had a mechanic tell me the engine is off by 2 degrees that he measured with a "scope"-I've still never seen a scope nor does anyon...

cptnsolo77

Looks like something called "neutralizing " the engine mounts could be the issue. Heres a couple of posts from other forums regarding it. https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/need-advice-on-neutralizing-front-motor-mount.1342825/ https://honda-tech.com/forums/tech-misc-15/motor-mounts-engi...

cptnsolo77

Thank you !

I didnt think it would be a big deal, but at 279K....im trying to keep the costs at a minimum.

cptnsolo77

Just hit 279K

cptnsolo77

Looks great ! For some reason those wheels make it look like a Subaru to me.

cptnsolo77

Looks like its time to do some front end work. I was looking at my purchase history and to find out I purchased AWD inner tie rods and installed them on my FWD vibe :o I cant believe I did that. I ALWAYS double check. The part numbers are different. I have 80,000 miles on them and didnt have any ali...

cptnsolo77

Rear struts are SHOT and its time to replace. 280K and they are dead

Unfortunately I cannot find a complete set of KYBs so I have to purchase the struts individually and swap the springs and hardware. Is it ok to reuse the strut mount, insulator pad bump stop, and dust shield ?

cptnsolo77

I was able to purchase a Denso MAF through amazon for 100 bux.

cptnsolo77

Does the vibration seem worse when the car is cold and gets better when the engine reaches operating temp ? Thats what I experience. I even replaced the engine cooling temp sensor a few years back....yeah....I have been dealing with this for quite some time. Like 3 years :oops: :roll: Keep us posted...

cptnsolo77

It is often easier for people to think of cars this way: car years and dog years are the same when it comes to reliability. Although nearly all dogs die by age 15 and cars can last decades, I wouldn't go for a morning jog with my 15 year old dog nor would I consider a lengthy road trip in a 15 year...

cptnsolo77

Absolutely ! Im talking out of frustration when I say I wanna get rid of the Vibe. Used car prices are insane right now. I havent had a car payment since 2012. At this point ANY repair would still be cheaper than if I would have had a car payment for the last 8 years :lol: Im at 278K and im really h...

cptnsolo77

Wow, you have described my issue exactly. around 1100 RPMs it DOES smooth out. Worst at about 850 RPMs and when cold. I recently had a bad coil that gave me a misfire code and I replaced the coil.....AND the center bolt for the front engine mount was completely loose. That did help. I ran a bottle o...

cptnsolo77

Since you removed the air box, double check to see if you reconnected the vacuum hose that's on the bottom of it. Its common for people to forget to reconnect it. Keep us posted and good luck

cptnsolo77

Well that sucks. I just had a Denso that I replaced 2 years ago and it just went bad. I was disappointed. I replaced all 4 at 60 bux a peice. I guess it can happen then.

cptnsolo77

I replaced my 3 years ago and I dont recall a gasket. Just O ring.

cptnsolo77

***Bump***

cptnsolo77

That was a GREAT explanantion and better than what I found on other sites. Makes sense to me and thanks for replying

Onwards to the next suspect !

cptnsolo77

Im am trying to trace what my vibration at idle may be. I have read that you disconnect the IAC valve ( while running ) it will cause the idle drop. almost to the point of not running, idle erratically or even turn off. Is that true ? From what I understand the purpose of the IAC is....it DOES makes...

cptnsolo77

Yes ! all 4 coils were replaced for the first time with Denso units 3 years ago....about 40K. The original cylinder #3 coil pack was faulty and that prompted me to replace all 4 ( 3 years ago ) This week I replaced cylinder coil pack #3 last week. Both times the cylinder #3 went bad. Thanks for taki...

cptnsolo77

I have read sooo many reports of people having little to no luck when replacing ignition coils one at a time with Japanese engines. I don't have a mechanical reason why, although I often expect most people are replacing one at the time (mileage wise) just when the entire set have run their course. ...

cptnsolo77

Recently I had a PO303 ( misfire cylinder #3 paired with a 420 code ) It was easily fixed with a spare coil and has not returned after 80 miles of driving. The bad coil was a Denso replacement and I was surprised that it went bad so quickly. Its only been about 40,000 miles. Funny how 3 years ago it...

cptnsolo77

Caretaker wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 3:30 am I too only use Akebono pads; they are brilliant. I did not know that they don't require the break in procedure, nor have I ever done the break in procedure in over 40 years of driving for that matter.

They are great pads. Scotty Kilmer recommended

cptnsolo77

I have been using Akebono pads. They do not require break in. Just slap them on ! of course use brake lube and check those caliper pins

cptnsolo77

Im at 277K and have been calculating my oil consumption. Looks like im burning just under 1 QT for every 2000 miles. How you guys doing in that area ? Seems like im in the "safe" zone, from what I understand 1 QT every 1500 miles is the acceptable limit. I was hoping for less but what can ...

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