Two cars down and counting....

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:28 pm

So, I still can't afford to fix my Taurus...still sitting in my garage wrecked.Last night I took the Vibe out with the g/f to the boat launch at 3am to chill and de-stress. Dropped her off, car was running perfect. When I got back in the car after walking her to the door I drove about 100 yards and then when the engine revved above 2000 rpm it would make this REALLY loud ticking/clanging noise.So this morning I look at it. I took out the plugs and peaked inside to make sure there were no metal shards or anything on the pistons...so my gues is something wrong with the lifters/valves/springs.....something really expenssive in other words. I can't even afford to fix one car let alone two. Good thing I bought the Ninja or I wouldn't be able to go to work or class...At first I thought it was a rod knock, but it can't be because you cannot hear it unless it revs over 2000rpm, when it idles you can't tell.Taking her to the shop tomorow to get an idea on what the problem is and a quote.BTW, before i get 40 questions about the oil, yes there is enough oil and no it's not burning oil to my knowledge. Any ideas, or anyone else have something similar happen?

damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:31 pm

Bummer dude, sorry to hear, hope it's an easy, cheap fix!

scherry2 · Post by **scherry2** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:20 pm

bummer. let us know what it was so we can watch out for it.well theres another toyota motor problem in, what? 2 weeks on an older vibe.

feelin'thevibe · Post by **feelin'thevibe** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:35 pm

This might be a shot in the dark but could the valve train need adjusted? I thought that I read that our cars need that done at a certain mileage..

Vibr8tr · Post by **Vibr8tr** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 8:57 pm

Good luck Merz.... hey I have been meaning to ask you (I know... off topic).... what is that little green running thing in your sig?

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:38 pm

Dang, that sucks, Paul. Hope you get it taken care of cheaply.It might be the tensioner pulley!???

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 9:38 pm

do our cars have a timing chain? its 7am i cant think right now, but my friends nissan had a goofy timing chain and it made a "ting" noise. Also if your valves are a little sticky icky but i dont see them just doing that randomly super loud. Maybe something got into the cylinders.... did you look in each spark plug hole with a flash light?

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:10 pm

Yeah I looked into the plugs with a flashlight and they looked good. We'll see what happens ina little bit.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:16 pm

so, does it run fun except for the noise? could just be a loose heat shield. have someone rev it while you stand outside so you can get a better idea of the source.

rebbierae · Post by **rebbierae** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 11:22 pm

Heh, Vibr8tr, you read my mind. I've been wondering that for a month.

Vibr8tr · Post by **Vibr8tr** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:57 am

It makes me laugh every time I see the little (removed).

ramenboy... · Post by **ramenboy...** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:28 am

damn, that sucks, merz.but hopefully, it'll be something small. keep us posted.hey maybe, you'll be the first to get the valves lashed.Quote, originally posted by Vibr8tr Â»It makes me laugh every time I see the little (removed).that's exactly what i think of when i see that thing!

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:29 am

It's definately inside the engine because every mechanic that looks at it and hears it says "HOLY ****".I took it to the dealer and so far its at $600 and a couple of days and they haven't done anything yet. They think it's lower so they are charging me $500 to drop the pan. Personally, I, along with my dad and a couple other mechanics think it's upper in the head like the cams or lifters. So if they charged me $500 for nothing I'm going to kill all of them with my bare hands.BTW the green thing is called like a Ginea Dinosaur or something like that lol.

millster · Post by **millster** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:45 am

Yeah, I hate to say that it sounds like classic rod bearing to me. I have a truck that has a sticky lifter in it and it's a clear tick sound. It doesn't ring at all. It's a sharp snapping sound. If you hear clanging at all you can usually bet it's something in the bottom end. At any rate best of luck, man. I hope it works out for the best!

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:53 am

So you're looking at like $1100 for them to look at it without fixing it? You could leave spending like $2000 or more. I'd get your car back and just buy a new engine at that price.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 6:01 am

Dang, that sucks. Sorry to hear about that man. Good luck.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 8:27 am

That bytes, man... Bulletproof Toyota engineering, I say! The same probably happened to my Vibe after I dumped it. Bummer that you didn't have an extended warranty, it would have come in handy. Hope you can get it all fixed up!

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:20 pm

Sooo, the verdict is.....there was no oil in the engine whatso ever even though the dip stick had oil on it. The dealer said there were no leaks whatsoever and it was not burning oil. They said it seemed like someone pulled the drain plug, drained hte oil, then put hte plug back and didnt put any oil in....Basically that means someone was ****ing with my car. Now the engine is completely blown. I can either buy a new engine for $4000+ or MAYBE if I'm lucky it can be rebuilt for about $2000+. SO this just keeps getting worse and worse.

damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:39 pm

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»Sooo, the verdict is.....there was no oil in the engine whatso ever even though the dip stick had oil on it. The dealer said there were no leaks whatsoever and it was not burning oil. They said it seemed like someone pulled the drain plug, drained hte oil, then put hte plug back and didnt put any oil in....Basically that means someone was ****ing with my car. Now the engine is completely blown. I can either buy a new engine for $4000+ or MAYBE if I'm lucky it can be rebuilt for about $2000+. SO this just keeps getting worse and worse.That makes no sense at all, however possible, that someone would do that. Seems like a retarded dealer mech. statement to me. If it's under warranty fight it to the top. I almost got mine fixed even with the S/C on it.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:49 pm

I'm 42,000 miles past the warentee.I'm taking it to a real mechanic that my mom's friend trusts with all his classics. He will figure it out for sure. I'm just pissed. Although I do work in Pontiac and that is like a mild form of Detroit so it's a bad neighborhood. Aside frmo my Taurus's window getting busted out there has been one car theft and 4 break ins since i started working here a year and a half ago in our store's parking lot alone.

damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:02 pm

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»Aside from my Taurus's window getting busted out there has been one car theft and 4 break ins since i started working here a year and a half ago in our store's parking lot alone.Yeah, that kind of stuff is normal, but someone coming, draining your oil, not leaving a trace, is not. Not only would they have to get under your car, get covered in oil removing your plug, drain it into a pan, and then take the pan away to dispose of the oil, all without anyone noticing or caring, and just to take the time to do all that, seems a little far-fetched to me.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:25 pm

youd be surprised. There are also alot of bums around there. I also notived oil pool by my car that day but didn't think anything of it. Either way, what ever happened, it's f'ed up and I have no idea how to explain it and neither does anyone else so basically boils down to my horrible luck and a HUGE amount of money that I don't have

feelin'thevibe · Post by **feelin'thevibe** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:09 pm

Just take a deep breath and step back and look at the situation, start looking for motor prices on the net and at salvage yards around you, you might just find a deal. Just be thankfull this happened now when you can ride the bike and not during the cold months.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:45 pm

i would definitely look for a used engine!

BlueCrush · Post by **BlueCrush** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:24 pm

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»Sooo, the verdict is.....there was no oil in the engine whatso ever even though the dip stick had oil on it. The dealer said there were no leaks whatsoever and it was not burning oil. They said it seemed like someone pulled the drain plug, drained hte oil, then put hte plug back and didnt put any oil in....Basically that means someone was ****ing with my car. Now the engine is completely blown. I can either buy a new engine for $4000+ or MAYBE if I'm lucky it can be rebuilt for about $2000+. SO this just keeps getting worse and worse.(removed)!? Damn. Sorry to hear Paul. Hopefully you can find a used engine fairly cheap. Can your mom help you out at all?

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:30 pm

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»BTW, before i get 40 questions about the oil, yes there is enough oil and no it's not burning oil to my knowledge. Any ideas, or anyone else have something similar happen?Has it been re-filled with oil and started to see if the knock still persists?

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:06 pm

It proably didn't happen at my work because the engine would have siezed on the way home. TO my g/f's house its about 3 minutes to the boat launch about 15 and back to her house about 15.I changed the oil last and I know for a fact I put new oil in because i poured the old oil into the new oil's container and took it to Murray's for disposal. I have no idea why but the dipstick showed oil on it, even after the noise FIRST started. Then once I took it out, it wouldn't go back in all the way! (removed) is that all about? No oil light ever came on throughout the whole ordeal. Now that I think about it, either there is a fault with the car or the dealer is screwing me over and lying to me which would not surprise me in the least.There is a full 4quarts of oil in it now and it still makes the noise so it's screwed up big time.My mom wont let me buy an engine online so I have to find one in person. Her philosophy is "you don't know what it's been through" which is stupid because you wont know what any engine has been through for sure unless you talk to the original owner asuming they're honest. And it's not like I can start looking for engines, I need the car like ASAP. I don't have transportation. My mom doesn't know I have the bike so I have to get a ride to my dad's house everytime I go to work or something.

jimincalif · Post by **jimincalif** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:02 am

Draining the oil as vandalism seems far fetched. But if the dealer will state that it wasn't leaking or burning oil, maybe it is the only explanation. Maybe it is the explanation you want. Do you have comprehensive insurance on the Vibe? Wouldn't vandalism be covered? Perhaps you should talk to the dealer about filing a police report and making an insurance claim?

Vibr8tr · Post by **Vibr8tr** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:12 am

Good catch, I would look into it. People would be AMAZED at what the insurance covers. And if it's not your faut, it souldn't raise your rates any.I know they said they would replace my windshield from the crack in it from driving down the highway.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:50 am

Dude that really sucks.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 1:50 am

I already talked to my mom about the Insurance and she said even though they do cover vandilism i have no way or proving it was vandalized. She used to work for AAA so I dunno. I hat einsurance companies because even thoguh you wouldn't think it would raise my rates cause it wasnt my fault, the vibe is listed as a secondary driver and for pleassure only so they would wonder why I took it to work.At this point it looks like I'm going to try and half (removed) throw togather the Taurus once my friend pulls out the radiator support atleast I'll have something to drive and the Vibe is going to be the one sitting in my garage for months now. Actually it should be fixed ina week or so but I'm just exagerating.I'm so pissed right now at everything I can't even think straight, the delaer feeding me lies, if it was vandalism, no one has any answers. Even my mom said when she talked to the dealer he was beating around hte bush when answering her questions and she said she was starting to get pissed off too.

jimincalif · Post by **jimincalif** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 2:07 am

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»I already talked to my mom about the Insurance and she said even though they do cover vandilism i have no way or proving it was vandalized. That is why insurance companies insist on a police report, filing a false report is a crime. There is lots of stuff that happens to cars. For example, you could hit your Vibe with the Taurus, then park the vibe on the street and tell the insurance it was a hit and run overnight. Ultimately there is no way for the insurance co to know. But what they rely on is most people will not want to risk a criminal rap for an insurance claim. Filing a false police report and insurance fraud are crimes.You don't want to misreprent anything to the cops or insurance. Be completely honest. Get the info from the dealer exactly as they told you. Go back to where the car was parked. Oil usually stains the pavement, if there is a stain get a picture. Get whatever you can about your last oil change. Write down what happened in the order you recall it. Then go to the cops/ins co and tell them what you know. You think it was vandalism, you can't prove it, but there is no other explanation for where the oil went. As far as the insurance, most coverage for personal/pleasure use includes going to work, not just using the car for business. And it is your secondary car, the primary car is bent. Obviously I don't have your insurance policy, but I can't imagine this being an issue. Might be worth a few calls to see. Again, you are not making anything up, you are not misrepresenting anything, you are just reporting it as you are best able to assemble the facts.Good luck.

Petrucci914 · Post by **Petrucci914** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:31 am

Ya, it's at least worth a shot to talk to your insurance company. A statement from the mechanic would also help. If there are no leaks and it wasn't burning any oil then it had to be vandalized; it can't just disappear. I had a friend that had a VW Bettle Turbo. He hit a frozen cat, it ripped off his oil pan and turbo, he lost all his oil and the engine seized. Insurance covered it all. Of course that wasn't vandalism but it shows that they will cover some crazy crap......that's what it's for.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:00 am

I hope you can get it back into shape. You wouldn't want to have to part it out to local gen-vibers!

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:32 am

Yeah I'll figure something out. At this point in time I found a Chevy Lumina in mint condition own by an elderly couple. Family friend is going to buy it at the auction tomorow for $500 and all it needs is a new gas tank. I'm going to pay him the money for the car and drive that until I can save up enough for a new engine or to rebuild the current one if possible.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:02 am

Ok, so I had another mechanic look at it and he knew what the problem was right away. The dealership WAS B/S'ing me big time.I'm going to call GM headquarters and b/s them and be all friendly and hopefully see if they can help me out. If not, It's gonna be a while before it's running again.BTW today I was riding my bike (only means of transportation left) and it stalled on the highway at about 60mph. I pulled over to discover one of the fuel lines haning done spewing out fuel and a few other hoses, and gas was also leaking out of hte carbs. So if anyone else has this bad of luck I feel sorry for you.

damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:20 am

So what's the problem with the Vibe? Sorry to hear about your ****ty luck, Paul!

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:34 am

This is truly an automotive Odyssey.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 7:56 am

The dealer said and I quote "there was not a crop of oil in the engine" which is physically IMPOSSIBLE because the car would have siezed up after about 10 minutes of driving anf before I brought it to the dealer I drove it for a good 25-30 minutes driving back and forth to a few different mechanics to see what they thought. All of them said it sounded like it was upper in the head but the dealer insisted ithey HAD to drop the pan and they kept reminding me it was goign to be $500. On top of that when my mom and I went in there to question them when they said there wasn't any oil in the engine they gave us half assed answers and alot of "we aren't sure" type answers. When I suggested maybe filing a claim on insurance for vandalism the guy at the dealer seemed oh-so excited about that. He was like "YEAH that's a great idea, just tell them what happened and all that and tell them the cars here at the dealer and maybe they will buy you a new engine". I was thinking...ok...I totally feel like I'm being played here.I took it to alot of credible mechanics and one really good one today that lives down the street and he said something about the bearing in the crank or around that area were shot and inevitably it destroyed the entire engine. He said it probably cannot be rebuild (which is what alot of the oher mechanics said) and I would need a new engine preferrably a re-fab from the dealer so I have a warentee with it.I'm going to call GM headquarters and see if they can help me out. I don't even know what to do We does this crap have to happen to me. All three of my vehicles are out of comission and I'm already flat broke as it is. I feel so helpless and frustrated.

djb383 · Post by **djb383** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:49 am

Are you driving it to these various mechanics?

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:49 am

Dude, I can't believe this round of bad luck that you are having! It seems like you're luck is getting worse by the minute.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 1:02 pm

(removed)! It's hilarious that you say that because my luck is getting worse. Everyone keeps saying "well atleast it can't get anyworse".Well my cellphone doesn't work anymore.Also, this morning I rented a car for a week (Suzuki Forenza). I was driving home from work and the tire when completely flat in the middle of the freeway during rush hour. So I'm on the side of the road trying to change to the spare with my dress clothes on, everytime a semi would drive by the stupid tripod jack would fall over because of the wind.So my luck keeps getting worse and worse. The Lumina I was suposed to get, on the trip home the wiring harness fried so our friend that got it took it back and get his money back. I don't know what I did to deserve this but I'm real close to just smashing a brick through my head.I can't BELIEVE all these things are going on right now. I'm going to the doctors tomorow to get some Zoloft because I've been soooooo depressed the last month I can't even begin to describe it. Why can't this happen to rich people or to people that dont put work into their cars or care about that. I love my Vibe more than my own life pretty much.

drunkenmaxx · Post by **drunkenmaxx** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:56 pm

i would seriously think twice about the zoloft...

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:35 am

If you do smash a brick through you're head, can I have you're 3 gauge pod? jk

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:56 am

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»(removed)! It's hilarious that you say that because my luck is getting worse. Everyone keeps saying "well atleast it can't get anyworse".Well my cellphone doesn't work anymore.Also, this morning I rented a car for a week (Suzuki Forenza). I was driving home from work and the tire when completely flat in the middle of the freeway during rush hour. So I'm on the side of the road trying to change to the spare with my dress clothes on, everytime a semi would drive by the stupid tripod jack would fall over because of the wind.So my luck keeps getting worse and worse. The Lumina I was suposed to get, on the trip home the wiring harness fried so our friend that got it took it back and get his money back. I don't know what I did to deserve this but I'm real close to just smashing a brick through my head.I can't BELIEVE all these things are going on right now. I'm going to the doctors tomorow to get some Zoloft because I've been soooooo depressed the last month I can't even begin to describe it. Why can't this happen to rich people or to people that dont put work into their cars or care about that. I love my Vibe more than my own life pretty much.Wow... sorry to hear all that merz! maybe we need to go to a help meeting. i unfortunately only have one car... but if i had a bike or a beater, theyd prolly be broken too. ive hit that streak too... my phone works when it wants to and my car still runs but not the way it should. and i dont know wats worse have a broken car and knowing what to fix or have a broken car that still drives and dealing with knowing its there while you drive.Ive got sooo much more on my plate too... but we all do buddy.I hope things start looking up for you. i love your vibe too so hope it gets up and running.

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 4:08 am

Sending in the special forces tow truck tomorow with a special trailor for lowered cars. Gonna cost me $150 to have it towed to the dealer where it will undergo serious sergury.Found an engine with 37,000 miles on it for $3100 including installation. My grandparents are paying for it and are refusing any money from me but I'm am going to pay them back anyways regaurdless of what they say. That is just too much.So hopefully if my horrible luck streak is ending I should have the car back ina week or two with less miles than the original 72,000 on current engine.By saying I feel the Vibes more important than my own life gives you a perspective on how I view myself but of course I was not being serious, just saying that to give an idea of how much I love it

AKLGT · Post by **AKLGT** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 6:48 am

remember, it's just a car. it can be replaced. you can't. i'm sure your family would disagree that the vibe is THAT important. LOLhowever, i do understand the attachment to one's vehicle/s. so good luck and i hope all turns out well for you!

damronjr · Post by **damronjr** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:44 am

I think you should have fought GM for them to replace it, but either way, glad to see it getting fixed!

Merzbow · Post by **Merzbow** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:10 am

You know what, I was going to fight with them but after all the crap I've been going through lately I'm just getting fed up and I don't feel like dealing with any of it anymore.Also just found out that I have to fix/buy a new tire for my rental car. The tire went flat on the way home I thought they covered that kinda stuff, after all it is their vehicle and the tread is almost gone so you would think it would be their responsibilty to upkeep their vehicles. If it can be patched I'll pay for it but if I have to get a new tire I'm not paying for it. They can kiss my (removed).BTW today I probably saw close to 1000 bikes on the road because it's so nice out. I'm so irritated mine broke down. BUT I'm pretty sure I know why. I think the floater in the right carburator is stuck so after I eat I'm going to rip it apart and fix it hopefully I'll get to take it out tonight.

NascarXprt · Post by **NascarXprt** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:07 pm

Quote, originally posted by Merzbow Â»(removed)! It's hilarious that you say that because my luck is getting worse. Everyone keeps saying "well atleast it can't get anyworse".Well my cellphone doesn't work anymore.Also, this morning I rented a car for a week (Suzuki Forenza). I was driving home from work and the tire when completely flat in the middle of the freeway during rush hour. So I'm on the side of the road trying to change to the spare with my dress clothes on, everytime a semi would drive by the stupid tripod jack would fall over because of the wind.So my luck keeps getting worse and worse. The Lumina I was suposed to get, on the trip home the wiring harness fried so our friend that got it took it back and get his money back. I don't know what I did to deserve this but I'm real close to just smashing a brick through my head.I can't BELIEVE all these things are going on right now. I'm going to the doctors tomorow to get some Zoloft because I've been soooooo depressed the last month I can't even begin to describe it. Why can't this happen to rich people or to people that dont put work into their cars or care about that. I love my Vibe more than my own life pretty much.it was probaly when you smashed the old CF hood you had but glad to see things are starting to get better for you.