any so cal DIY mechanics out there?

[fawlty04]

hey, i was just told i have to replace my exhaust manifold and thermostat (i failed my smog check, horrors! ) -- going to get a second opinion, but if this is the case, i was wondering if there was anyone in southern california who'd be willing to hang out with me and help me switch it out... i'm cute and witty! will provide beer or lunch .. lifelong appreciation and gratitude. free concert tickets when i make it big... haha.please respond! i have tons of free time before the end of september. would totally not mind roadtripping -- that is, afterall, why i bought this lovely car. (i'm in santa barbara btw)thanks!heather

[joatmon]

How did you manage to crack an exhaust manifold? I don't think anyone else here has ever broken that part. What year/type of Vibe do you have? If you are lookiing at doing it yourself, I assume you are past the warranty. How many miles on it?It seems like an odd thing to break, I suppose it can happen, but a second opinion (like a free estimate from a muffler shop) would be good to confirm that it is needed. Have them show you (if they can) exactly what is wrong with it. If I had to replace mine, I'd probably buy a used one from a junkyard. If you're into performance mods, you might consider it an opportunity to go for a header and custom exhaust.

[fawlty04]

it's got 65000+ on it ... have been trying to figure out if this would be covered under the warranty that's required by federal law on the emissions systems of cars.....it's an '03 GT -- put in my request at a local salvage yard, not interested in going for wacky mods on the exhaust

[Mavrik]

have you contacted a dealership to see if thats in warranty still?

[fawlty04]

not directly -- the local dealership is the one that told me i needed it replaced and gave me the estimate of $1000+ to fix that and something regarding the thermostat/coolant which is why the computer was originally registering the P0128 code.haven't called them back to inquire about this unknown warranty on emissions. i know for a fact any other sort of warranty is expired.

[Mavrik]

yes mileage wise your car is pretty much out of most coverages,but to crack a head and leak coolant... thats pretty rare on a Vibe lol.

[fawlty04]

what kills me is that the car seems to run fine. i get 30+ mpg cuz i drive like such a grandma and the loudness that tipped the dude off about the exhaust was no different from the day it left the used car lot at the dealer (grr)... so basically that tells me it's been running with a cracked manifold for over a year and was somehow undetected when fixed up by the body shop that restored it after a very cruel accident (literally within the first month of owning it -- no, was not my fault).

[joatmon]

I don't think she cracked a head and leaked coolant. The shop told her the exhaust maifold was cracked, The P0128 is coolant temp too low, not a coolant leak, which is why she's thinking the thermostat needs to be replaced-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-if the maifold is cracked, you would want to get it fixed so exhaust gasses get pushed out the pipe instead of leaking into the engine compartment and possibly getting sucked into the passenger compartment.If the damage happened in an accident, can you see if you get get it fixed under whatever insurance settlement fixed the car a year ago?here's a pic that shows the exhaust maifold

Attached files

[fawlty04]

groovy, thanks for the photo.thing is, i really don't think the accident had anything to do with it -- it always seemed louder than what i really wanted (but you know, buying used yields little pickiness, i had just gotten home from africa and needed wheels as i had none).are the toyota parts interchangeable here? they're way cheaper on the web -- exhaust manifold & gasket, and thermostat...will get a second opinion this week i guess. pretty bummed, mostly just wanna stay in bed and wish it'd all go away if i do have to replace the manifold, my offer of beer and food still stands

[damronjr]

There's a s-load of yards down here on Energy Way, and I'm absolutely + at least 1 of them has the exhaust manifold for a 2zz. Shouldn't be TOO hard of a fix, more of a PITA than anything. T-stat is a cinch, just have to get a new one from any parts dealer or Toyota. Here's some I found on car-part.com:

Attached files 2zz.doc (46.5 KB) 

[fawlty04]

oo! there's been a new development! my CEL went off (again, this happened about 7 months ago). would i pass my smog check seeing as the indicator light test was the only thing i failed in the last check? and then tend to my exhaust manifold?hmmm....

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by fawlty04 »oo! there's been a new development! my CEL went off (again, this happened about 7 months ago). would i pass my smog check seeing as the indicator light test was the only thing i failed in the last check? and then tend to my exhaust manifold?hmmm.... No, BUT if you get a OBDII code reader like the one I got for $40 you can delete the codes, and unless they come back on before you get to the station, you COULD be OK.

[fawlty04]

wait, so even though the light's gone off the code's still there??

[damronjr]

Quote, originally posted by fawlty04 »wait, so even though the light's gone off the code's still there??Yes, it's still stored in the computer until you delete it out. Even then I think they can still pull up codes that have come up at any time.