GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

burrpenick

A pro wrench I know told me that the oil burning in my 03 was most likely caused by worn rings- which I didnt like! Finally sold the car and got a Focus- its OK, better MPG and handling, larger turning circle, less rear vision, less comfortable seats, and smaller hatch opening. George

burrpenick

when it was happening, someone on the list said the 03's were more prone than others. Not sure why. I didnt buy this new, but it had a few thousand miles, so may be someone was really hard on it? I dont think its been a real issue with most Vibes. GP

burrpenick

no, was just using DINO oil and I really took great care of the car- semi mechanic guy here. I did try some syn later to see it that would help, also played with other viscosities, still the same. NO SMOKE. Its possible that a valve job may have fixed that problem.......... George

burrpenick

I had an 03 that started burning oil at around 100k and it got worse than I could accept by 170K. I've read that the 03 was one of the years that had that issue, but, I'd like to know if its been common with say 2004 and up?

Thanks, George

burrpenick

OK, today I closed my VIBE chapter. It was a great car: 2003 base model w/at, had 170k after 10 yrs and still delivered 35MPG on the road. Only non common failure was passenger side wheel bearing- that may have been damaged by abuse? HOWEVER, I was not happy with the oil consumption that started ar...

burrpenick

I also did a search before posting this but didnt find any specifics on the rear shoes. My 03 base Vibe has 167K miles and still has the original shoes out back. I have adjusted them up a couple of times, but they still have brake material on them. I did notice one shoe- I believe the front one, is...

burrpenick

I've complained about oil use on my 03 as well. I have 160lk now and I'm guessing it uses about a quart in 2000 miles. Its not worth trying to rebuild the head or even the rings in my estimation. Tried some different weight oils to no awail. The rest of the car is fine, had to do starter contacts ab...

burrpenick

Now I see that the MIDDLE light is just probably burnt ou.....I had forgotten that there was one in that location. Didnt think about that till I heard the map light is working as it should!

burrpenick

Cant get the front domelight to work any longer. It will come on with the manual button and the REAR dome light comes on when the door is open, but not the front. I have played with the dimmer switch to no avail. HELP!!!!!! George in Tallahassee

burrpenick

I tried spraying some undercoating/soundeadener inside my doors and the hatch. Cant tell much if any difference. I'm thinking alot of the noise comes in thru the wheel wells.....that are covered in plastic. Any suggestions on an easy/cheap aid for those? I also have the valve cover plastic off while...

burrpenick

Replaced mine at 114K and 155K. Started to wonder why. I've been adding about a half quart of oil to the standard 4qts since mine uses some anyway, so hoped that extra oil was not the culpret. I also changed the PCV around 85K and just pulled it again. It still rattles but I am not sure if its any t...

burrpenick

$150 was a great price, not sure what it should have been as I was traveling. The shop said the book called for 4 hours- other prices out there. Still not sure if it s/b ALIGNED EITHER.

burrpenick

Thanks for all the replies!

I dont live on a dirt road but my guess was that this VIBE"S passenger side front wheel has hit the curb/pothole one too many times. I dont remember doing it myself TOO bad, but have pounded it some. I know what to listen for!

GP

burrpenick

Thanks, and I do have most everything needed to change that front bearing, but.......its a pain so I hope not to try it! I thought all the bearings are now sealed, so my question is 155K an average life for one? What have others been reporting? Can I expect the other one to go soon?

burrpenick

I am somewhat good with a wrench, but mostly on my 1972 Duster 340/4sp/3.91 Sure Grip hot rod- dont love working on the Vibe. The shop had to cut the old bearing off, I figured it could have been pressed, but dont know why they didnt. He said it was a bear, including the extra large 12 pt nut that h...

burrpenick

Just had the front passenger side go bad at 155K miles, nearly $500 to replace, sound right? Can I expect the other side to go soon? Are the REAR WHEEL BEARINGS servicable?

burrpenick

Thanks for the comments. I hoped maybe these experiences could benefit some other owners? Anyone else had the front wheel bearing failure??????? Sure hope the other side doesnt decide to go south too! I can live with the oil consumption but dont like it! I may be more than a qt per 2k miles, but not...

burrpenick

All happened on one trip: serpentine belt broke (155k) miles Front crank seal leaked......first one failed at 114k this one at 155k LAST: front wheel bearing, passenger side. This developed over a couple of months, the ROAR grew unbearable. I originally thought it was PEP BOYS TIRE ROAR but was wro...

burrpenick

whats happened to the heat shield....I have not looked closely in that area????? Maybe its the snow???? How did you fix it?

burrpenick

Yes, I noticed the front speakers rattling and viewed the damage when undercoated inside the doors in an attempt to quieten the car. NO, I cant tell any difference, but my FUTURA tires from PEP BOYS are WAY LOUDER than what was on it before.No lock trouble and yes, I also did the starter but now tha...

burrpenick

Good to hear others remarks, so lets clarify some stuff here. I am a 57 yr old back yard mechanic, and have taken care of this 03 Vibe w/151K miles. It still delivers about 35 MPG on the road and I still have the original read shoes on the brake hubs. Still not happy with the oil consumption, but I ...

burrpenick

Seafoam claims its OK to run it in the oil till the next change, but others thought up to 100 miles was probably about right. I was with you, and decided 50 miles was OK. I watched the oil before/during and it did not significantantly change to a darker shade. I'm guessing my engine was pretty clean...

burrpenick

OK, dont all chime in here at once! BUT, I took the liberty (since I bought the car for $$$$ in 2004) and added 7oz of Seafoam to the oil and ran it about 50 miles. I also added about 8 oz to the gas.I then changed the oil- adding my normal 4 qts plus 12 oz per the Toyota technical bullitin.I'll let...

burrpenick

OK, do you see any harm in running some Seafoam in the oil for a few miles? Was told I may have some sticking rings? May also put some in the fuel. Comments welcomed!

burrpenick

Its warm enought here in FL that I have no worries about cold start up. Where do you get 4.9? I use 4 stock and planned on adding a half quart. Would you run SEAFOAM in the oil or the fuel to try some cleaning up? Thanks, George

burrpenick

Thanks to ALL who offered ideas. I definitely felt the same way about the 4 qt capacity: If it gets a quart low, its REALLY LOW! So, I will be adding a half quart more. I also plan to run some Sea Foam and try to clean the pistons if that is possible. George

burrpenick

Anyone else uppted the oil to 4.4 quarts to help slow down the oil consumption?

burrpenick

Overall, I have been very happy. MPG has been good..........around 35 on the road, 27 or so in town. Starter gave me trouble early around 60k but that was only bad contacts, finally replaced the entire starter at 130k. Also had a front seal go bad. Thats pretty much it for problems with the motor. E...

burrpenick

Pep Boys Futuras wear OK, but they are WAY TOO LOUD. BEWARE.

burrpenick

OPPS........forgot the car is really loud inside. Anyone added some sound insulation? George

burrpenick

2003 base model, 147k miles, just moved my washer and then dryer in the back with room to spare! Still delivering about 35 MPG on the road, but the oil consumption is getting worse. Maybe a quart every 1000 miles?????? I have tried thicker oil with no luck, changed the PCV valve once but it seemed f...

burrpenick

My rear window just stuck down too. I saw your idea about tapping the INSIDE of the door around 2 oclock from the speaker position and it came up!THANKS!!!As far as the starter, yes, that worked for mine, but only twice, then it was time to replace it. I have POSTED detailed instructions on that job...

burrpenick

You can see some pics that MAY help in my earlier post pleading for HELP when my handle broke (they were too late for me). My 2003 model VIBE's drivers door handle snapped last week after what I conservatively estimated at 10,000 openings. I am definitely treating the door handles with kid gloves fr...

burrpenick

finding a pic of the inside of the drivers door lock mechanism. Have a new handle to install and its in the door fine, but cannot see how the ROD is supposed to be positions so that it somehow is moved by the lifting of the handle.George in NC

burrpenick

have a new one but cant figure out how to install it. Its in the door fine, but I cannot figure out how the ROD works with that handle. Anyone have some tips and a pic?

burrpenick

see my post as mentioned in my answer above under starter replacement tips in the problems and warranty forum.....it contains the answers you are seeking. George

burrpenick

I posted a question earlier and was reporting back today on my solution when I accidentally saw what appeared to be an instant message. I missed it and now cant see it. How/where do i look for these? I believe he was asking a question. George

burrpenick

I just fixed the starter on my 03 Base Vibe. I've posted details on another thread under PROBLEMS and Warranty Issues that should help the next person.

burrpenick

Hopefully this will HELP other members who have to remove/replace their starters:I posted recently a thread about a no click/turn over issue with my 2003 VIBE. Figured it was the contacts and/or BENDIX again (happened at 40k) but decided that at 140k to replace the entire starter. If I tapped on the...

burrpenick

Yes, I've decided to REPLACE the entire starter. The car has 140k miles now and even though I feel the CONTACTS are bad again (did them at 40k miles) n the starter, its got to have lots of wear on it now. It does work fine when it turns over, except for the last few days when it does NOTHING occasio...

burrpenick

My 2003 AT base model had to have the CONTACTS replaced in the starter at 40k miles when I had NO START/ no click, no ANYTHING. ITs been fine for 5+ yrs but now at 140K its doing it again: no sound at all. I tapped the solenoid and it starts. Does this starter have a reputation for bad contacts? Sho...

burrpenick

Just need to know of the Corolla/Matrix engines will work OK as a replacement in an 03 Base Vibe and what brands/outlets are recommended. Thanks, George in Tallahassee

burrpenick

My current driver is an 03 Base Vibe w/133k miles. No real problems, but it does use some oil. Looking at another 03 that needs an engine for MY WIFE; car/motor has 61K, dont know if its rebuildable, but heard the later yrs 1.8 do not have the oil burning issue that the 03 did. I would want to rebui...

burrpenick

Dont have another pic of the Vibe here at work but this is my other ride.....'72 Cuda 340 that I restored from the dead, over 600 hours invested but its a keeper!THe graphics came from JC WHITNEY!Vibe content: glad to hear my oil burning is not odd, although it is stll disappointing. NO, my car does...

burrpenick

I had a really bad time finding the correct one for my base 03 Vibe. I first bought one at Advanced auto for $6 but it was tight screwing in so I STOPPED. They offered another one for $13 but had to order it. I believe it was the one for the GT model. I know there is supposed to be a 3/8 and a metri...

burrpenick

got the old one out OK and bought two and neither one wants to screw in. I see where there were two diferent threads so I was being very cautous. How can I get the right one for my BASE 2003 VIBE? NAPA only listed ONE, but AutoZone did show two. THe threads LOOKED pretty close, but I was not going t...

burrpenick

Thanks for all the input. I have alot of experience with valve issues and feel like I should at least check the clearances. I know the expense of having to pull the head w/b tremendous. I have not noticed a puff of smoke at start up as would be the usual result of leaking valve seals in American iro...

burrpenick

I had to replace the front seal- that stopped the oil leak. I am still using mabye a quart every 2-3K. Should I be concerned about the valve clearances?penick@nettally.com

burrpenick

Is there a typical problem that an engine oil leak starts at? My 2003 base model is using some oil, not heavy, but at 114k I didnt expect it. I can see some oil spray back behind the engine, looks to be more on the passenger side. Any tips and solutions????

burrpenick

My '03 base model w/AT is consuming about half a quart of oil every1500 miles now that I hit the 100k mileage figure. Is this about normal? Would this be the result of normal ring waar or more to do with the valve train/seals?I'm also concerned about the rear brakes, they still have plenty of materi...

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