GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Bookworm

Not certain about the alternator as of yet. Autozone said that the battery was toasted just from the swollen outsides (2.5 years old, but Houston heat, stored in the sun), and I got a slightly pro-rated replacement. Still no starting, and weird voltages. Pulled and replace the starter. Car now start...

Bookworm

Picture #1 is the inside of the bottom of the engine, from below. Picture #2 is from the outside, towards the same part. Note the bolt heads and the normal outside grime. Picture #3 is the inside of the oil pan, and Picture #4 is the bent bolt. At least, that's what I'm seeing. The OP would have to ...

Bookworm

Realistically, unless you're already immune compromised (such as the elderly, or already have an illness, especially respiratory), you're going to end up fine. There's been a LONG thread about it on the fountain pen network forum. (several threads) Wash your hands regularly, keep a reasonable distan...

Bookworm

I have one of those - it's going to go in my center console, so I can drop a phone/battery bank in there to charge, and close the lid.

Bookworm

joatmon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 08, 2020 11:59 am
Betsytheanimal wrote: ↑Sat Mar 07, 2020 10:10 pm Had my 09 1.8l 5 speed manual doing 195kmph.
I had to read that several times before I no longer read it as 195K mph Thought you'd launched it into space

Nah, just heading for the sound barrier.

Bookworm

Adding another thing. Hooked up battery charger on 2 amp, just to give the battery a good solid charge, then went out to buy alternator and starter - and had dinner. Came back home, 90 minutes or so later. Car started easily. Scratched head. Checked voltage - 14+ volts. Waited 2 minutes. Voltage dro...

Bookworm

Wow ive never seen a sploaded vibe engine! They must have forgot to put oil in it. As many of us 2.4l owners have experienced, these tend to drink oil. So, if you had one of these, never checked the oil or never changed the oil, eventually it would drink all its own oil and run dry, which i could s...

Bookworm

My starter was starting to occasionally spin the bendix gear, especially when cold. Today, the car wouldn't start. After pulling the negative terminal clamp, cleaning a bit (soda to remove the buildup, and scraping), and putting it back on, I was able to start it up and drive home. Battery voltage, ...

Bookworm

I wouldn't worry so much about the mileage on the engine, especially if it's just 150k. My old one hit 300k (miles), and was still getting 29MPG in constant city traffic. If you buy a full engine, you can do a reasonable rebuild on it without spending a ton of dosh, and put it into place. (well, if ...

Bookworm

Well, a little delay while doing some research, but today I ordered the belt tensioner, new serpentine belt, 2 front wheel bearings and retainer clips, 2 KYB front strut-plus units and 2 AC Delco sway bar end links with nylon lockers, end links per bookworms research. I also started the siphon / re...

Bookworm

I've never done one before but I've watched a lot of youtube videos in the last few days. As far as I can tell the only consideration for airbag safety is to disconnect the battery and wait for ~20 minutes before messing around with the airbag. Is there anything more to it? that's basically it. and...

Bookworm

IF you do a hot drain, you don't have to flush it twice. The short is this - pull loose the top hose on the radiator. Extend that out with a plug and a hose to either a collection bucket or to the grass. No, it won't hurt the grass, nor any pets if you make sure it's absorbed into the dirt. flush o...

Bookworm

FatherTime wrote: ↑Tue Mar 03, 2020 5:12 pm Of all the criticism I can make about my 09 base 1.8, "laggy" would not be one of them. It has no power, but it's a zippy little critter. Maybe tune up time. Try some jet fuel in it?

Not sure how kerosene will help, but sure!

Bookworm

Also better tires improve fuel economy and handling.

Just remember, it's a 1zz engine, and it's a station wagon. Without seriously modifying the entire car, which costs $$$$, there's not a ton you can do.

Good tune-ups make a big difference, as well as replacing the intake manifold gasket

Bookworm

For coolant, look for the Toyota Long Life Coolant. It's pink/red. OEM Toyota is what you want. Plugs-- most recommend either Denso or NGK plugs. Tranny fluid-- simply just do a drain and fill using the correct trans fluid. I believe the Castrol Multi-Vehicle is what is calls for. The coolant in th...

Bookworm

Oh, yeah - there was also a post on what you should repair/replace if you have an engine out of the car, regarding that prior oil leak. Frankly, if you have the engine in front of you, you could just about do a short rebuild (leaving the pistons, cylinders, etc, alone), VERY quickly. New oil pan gas...

Bookworm

I _think_ the engine was used in a number of different cars. I know nothing about the 2009+ Vibes or Matrices, other than the engine leaks oil

Bookworm

Here's where I bought mine https://www.discountconverter.com/ That was for my 03. I don't regret paying for the exact replacement. I also bought O2 sensors there. Part of the benefit, to me, was that it was just up the street from my house (their Houston office). They just tossed it on their next Da...

Bookworm

I've had four hatchbacks and a S10 Blazer. All had the 'crap on the back window' problem. 81' Ford Escort Wagon, '98 Kia Sportage, and two Vibes. It's endemic to the way the air flow works, which is part of why the 2009+ Vibes don't have glass that opens. They got excessively concerned about people ...

Bookworm

joatmon wrote: ↑Thu Feb 27, 2020 2:01 pm The last time I did it I just took off the top of the dash. Still had to disconnect the airbag (after disconnecting the battery of course). My hands just don't fit into that space otherwise

If I ever have to take off the top of the dash, the air bag is going to mysteriously disappear.

Bookworm

Well, I wouldn't worry too much about "defective". Despite what some people think, they're really not lifetime parts. I have yet to own a car that I _didn't_ replace the starter at least once, and sometimes more than that. My 03 was on its third starter when I passed it along, and my 07 ne...

Bookworm

I agree with Zbyers. The only difference between the old car and a newer car is the headlight type (and polishing the plastic, of course. I miss glass headlamps). I've found that two vibes over 17 years (Feb 2003 to now) have shown that as long as the tires are in good shape, it handles water REALLY...

Bookworm

Apologies for the delay. I pulled the bucket out, and it's a set of hoses compatible with R12, R22, and R134a. The gauges are probably R134a - one is missing the plastic cover over the gauge, but is otherwise intact. There appears to be some conversion parts (just a couple of nipples, really) for R1...

Bookworm

Oh to stay on topic here, my 2004 Vibe GT, now the daily work driver, is seeing 1000 miles per week. Started this new construction job mid November and should last another couple months at the most. Just turned over 144k miles today. I'm changing the oil every six weeks :shock: Been there, done tha...

Bookworm

I haven't had a chance to dig into the back of the 'garage' yet (it's a failed conversion to an efficiency apartment. ) Once I do, I'll have a better idea of what I can post up, and what the cables might be. They'll be able to be grabbed randomly, because they're in a kitty litter bucket with a lid,...

Bookworm

Replaced a crusty PCV valve today. Added some Marvel Mystery Oil to the fuel and the crankcase - 4 ounces each. Hoping for some slow, gentle sludge cleeaning. I will be changing oil and filter at 1,000 mile intervals for a while. If you're going to do that, don't bother with changing the oil. Just ...

Bookworm

Thanks Zack for the heads up! Bookworm, what part of town are you in? I usually just rent the tools when I need them, but I'd certainly be interested in a set of gauges. R134a? The evaporator in my Mustang is leaking so I do have to charge it up every few months until I get a chance to pull the who...

Bookworm

Replaced the rear shocks today. I used Monroe quick struts P/N 171373L and 171373R. Had no problem with the process. I DID reuse the original fasteners as the new nuts/ bolts provided by Monroe looked inferior. :) How long did it take you? Just curious. Bookworm, since I recently purchased the car ...

Bookworm

I believe user TRB is in the Houston area, however, it appears he hasn't been on the website in 3 years now. He's on FB (sadly). sorry to hear about the lease issue, unless it was terminated on your end. Feel free to pass the word over. No, we're on a month to month lease, and have been since 2006....

Bookworm

I've ended up with odds and ends of various tools that I've realized I'm not going to use. Is there anyone in or around the Houston area that would like a set of hoses/gauges for refrigerant? They're old, but just a giveaway. I'll try to get pictures in the next couple of days. I'll probably be gett...

Bookworm

SSizler wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 10:56 am Replaced the rear shocks today.
I used Monroe quick struts P/N 171373L and 171373R.
Had no problem with the process.
I DID reuse the original fasteners as the new nuts/ bolts provided by Monroe looked inferior.

How long did it take you? Just curious.

Bookworm

That Toyota red should work fine, from everything I've found.

I'd rather keep the phosphated coolant in the Vibe, rather than just go with a H-OAT without phosphates.

Bookworm

The key seems to be _Phosphated_ coolant. So, no Pep Boys near by? That's where I got the Beck Arnley. Red vs Pink seems to mostly be 'short life' vs 'long life', and otherwise are both phosphated - with pink never being offered as a concentrate. So if you're willing to just change the fluid every 3...

Bookworm

04' base Noobie. Bought my first one a couple months ago. If you'd asked me before, I would have never said this but I love this car. I'm actually under it right now replacing rod bearing. So I'll post more when I'm done about my car but want to get this up and out there and get started thanks for ...

Bookworm

I want to reiterate. My 'clunking' in the front turned out to be bad ball joints. The guy that I passed to car onto said they fell apart when he unbolted them.

Bookworm

Hi there Problem solved, it was the internal regulator in the alternator, that blew the 100 amp main fuse. Changed both and back on my way. 100 amp main fuse was a bit of a (removed) to change :D Thanks for the update. Now the next person has something to check. Checking that fuse will always be a ...

Bookworm

Oh... There are just _so_ many things that could cause that. Many innocuous, most leading to parts needing to be replaced or at least serviced at some point. I'm sure others with more experience will chime in, but it can be the following. Shocks/struts going bad. It happens. You can _usually_ repeat...

Bookworm

KYB is the OEM, as I recall. The problem with KYB for this purpose is that they don't make rear strut kits. I REALLY don't want to get into spring compressors. I put the monroe quick struts in my 2003, and the only issue was a folded rubber boot, which didn't really affect anything. That was when pe...

Bookworm

They have 'portable' flat jacks out there, that operate as scissor lifts. I've eyeballed them a few times myself, rather than doing the 'jack it, stand it' route.

Bookworm

Welcome, and enjoy the car. Sounds like you must have your own mechanics bay as well. - what kind of vehicle lift do you use?

Bookworm

Never done the rears, though I read that some people had to cut pieces to make them fit. I honestly don't think I have heard of anyone having to do that. We've replaced them on...4 or 5 of our Vibes now and haven't had any issues outside of rust making it difficult. Being in Houston, that should ha...

Bookworm

It looks like KYB only has the front struts as complete sets - both Matrix and Vibe. I'm tempted to just get KYB for the front, and OSC for the rear. With my arm the way it is, I'll probably have to go pay my local mechanic $50 a corner to install them. There is another member on here (now primaril...

Bookworm

It looks like KYB only has the front struts as complete sets - both Matrix and Vibe.

I'm tempted to just get KYB for the front, and OSC for the rear. With my arm the way it is, I'll probably have to go pay my local mechanic $50 a corner to install them.

Bookworm

From folks here (or people you know). What strut kits seem to work best in the car? (Mine's a 2007 Vibe) From Rockauto, I can get (as a set), Monroe, OSC, FCS, and ACDelco. Individually, there's Sensen, Ultra-Power, Monroe, ACDelco, OSC, FCS, Gabriel, MOOG, KYB. (KYB is _only_ front). I'd prefer to ...

Bookworm

The further south you go, the higher the numbers move. For example, for my wife's Mazda, Mexico is '5w-30' rather than 0w-20, in the US and Canada. Since we're in Houston, we're closer to Mexico than Canada, so 5-30 is within the recommended range. (For that car) if you're in Houston or points south...

Bookworm

What, you don't want 18,000+ volts through your right hand, and out your stomach when you're leaning into the engine compartment? It's not THAT bad. Just not something I'd want to keep repeating. (Cracked distributor ignition coil, was adding insulation around it so that the guy could at least drive...

Bookworm

Oh - also, check ram-mount.com I have a drillless mount that's been in my Vibe since 2003 for my laptop. There are also attachments you can get to add your phone to the side, or just get a phone/tablet mount. It stands straight up from the left side of the passenger seat, and mounts to the front sea...

Bookworm

I use a suction cup on the windshield. Keeps the phone out of the way of the air blowing from the vents (even the top vents, because it stands off). That puts the phone in my field of view as well, so that I'm not turning my head or looking down to check it. power cable drops straight down on the pa...

Bookworm

- All fluids except for trans fluid ( I wouldnt take the chance if you dont know the history ) - clean MAF sensor and throttle body - bottle of Techron fuel cleaner or 2 bottles if you can -AC cabin filter - check Spark plugs or just change them since they are out already - check the serpentine bel...

Bookworm

Yeah, that was part of the initial recall on the Vibes back in the day. They installed a noise filter to keep them from erroneously blowing up. Looks like they need more noise filters. :o Wouldn't it have been easier, and safer, to have just removed the bag and put the horn back in the center of th...

Search found 738 matches