engine noise/30k maintenance

[mailxd]

Hi, all,The 2009 Vibe base has the same engine as the Corolla, but it feels the engine is a bit more noisy (feels not something wrong though). Anybody share the perception?Plus, I feel like the transmission is a little bit behind the desired gear (It should have geared up earlier, when the car accelerates, according to my feeling...) Besides, when I press the gas really hard, I don't always get the auto tranny to gear down to gain power. I don't have the slamming that some other users mentioned though.Also, I'm approaching 30k miles. Besides the normal oil change/tire rotation, it doesn't seem to require any particular maintenance. I understand the warranty is 36k, so wonder whether I should have a shop to particularly check sth so in case any can be fixed within the warranty.Any inputs? Thanks.

[star_deceiver]

The engine is a little loud... but then again, my tires are louder! Nothing that bothers me though.Quote, originally posted by mailxd »Plus, I feel like the transmission is a little bit behind the desired gear (It should have geared up earlier, when the car accelerates, according to my feeling...)Can't help you, I shift my own gears!Quote, originally posted by mailxd »Also, I'm approaching 30k miles. Besides the normal oil change/tire rotation, it doesn't seem to require any particular maintenance. I understand the warranty is 36k, so wonder whether I should have a shop to particularly check sth so in case any can be fixed within the warranty.Any inputs? Thanks.Thinking about this myself, I'm a 56400kms... I might take it in to have the spoiler/hatch paint issue fixed... oh and the last recall...

[mailxd]

speaking of the "spoiler/hatch paint issue ", is this wide spread on all vibe 2009s? I looked around but didn't find anything abnormal on mine...Any photos to show this?This is the only relevant one I can find: http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=2

[Caretaker]

same here mailxd. Auto tranny: I have 35,000 on my 2009 and have had my car in twice to have them experience the third to second downshift slam. I get the slamming when I ask for more power, and experience a delay in downshift. After 1-2 seconds, the car downshift and slams into second. I get this when the car is fully warmed up. This weekend, I also got some slamming when I was accelerating in third and the car took longer than normal to shift up into 4th. When it did after a 4-5 second reving in third, it slammed into fourth. I also think the valves are chatty on the cold mornings first thing. Once the car warms up, the chatty valves quiet down. I was wondering if the Corolla engines require valve adjustments early on.Also: I thought our 2009 model came with a 5yr/60,000 mile warranty, not 36,000 bumper to bumper. Do I need to reread my owners manual?

[mailxd]

Did you have the 2009 Base looked at by the dealership (I suppose it must be GM dealer in order to get free fix if necessary, right?) ?I know for a fact on my Base 2009:Bumper to Bumper Limited Warranty 3yr 36,010 MIPowertrain Limited Warranty 5yr 100,010 MI

[Caretaker]

two PMs sent. And you were correct; I just looked at my owner's manual: 3yr/36,000 bumper-bumper warranty. Sad.

[star_deceiver]

Here's what mine looked like a year and a half ago...

Attached files

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by mailxd »Hi, all,The 2009 Vibe base has the same engine as the Corolla, but it feels the engine is a bit more noisy (feels not something wrong though). Anybody share the perception?Also, I'm approaching 30k miles. Besides the normal oil change/tire ..........Any inputs? Thanks.I have began to notice that my 2.4l (2009) engine sounds very noisy during very cold start warm up and then as I start off down the road. When the engine gets to normal oper. temp. then it sounds softer and not like a Model T as when first started. I must add that it must be the very cold winter temperatures that I am having here in the NJ/NYC region. I can't wait for Spring!!!BTW: This post did not word (line) warp down to the next line.

[mailxd]

Then you must be hearing that in today's NY! Have you taken it to a dealership about this?

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by mailxd »Then you must be hearing that in today's NY! Have you taken it to a dealership about this?No, too much snow to deal with like 6 foot high mountians of in front of my home. I'm still trying to get the pedal "cutoff" done first ... which the dealer has never done one before. And I would rather have a new pedal. I did my first oil change using Mobel one 0 W 20. This really is the third oil change that was done. And, I only have over 5000 miles on the car.I am not saying anything to the service man about anything I think I hear. By the time I get to the dealer, any strange sounds seems to go away.

[cq358]

Ivibe, do you always hear the rhythmic ping noise when cold start?

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »Ivibe, do you always hear the rhythmic ping noise when cold start? Yes, if I go under the hood to listen. But the engine mainly sounds noisy when driving off during very cold days.

[cq358]

Does your 2.4L sounds like this at the initial start up?Brought to you by GM Tech Linkhttp://service.gm.com/index_en-US/si.html

Attached files VVT_rattle.wmv (480.5 KB) 

[ParknVibe]

Quote, originally posted by cq358 »Does your 2.4L sounds like this at the initial start up?Brought to you by GM Tech Linkhttp://service.gm.com/index_en-US/si.htmlThanks for the recording. I will have to listen more closely to the beginning of the engine start. From inside I was hearing the starter cranking first. The battery was weak during the Winter for lack of driving. Is that sound cause by lack of oil up top? I have the 2.4L with only 5500 miles on it. I drive it mostly for short local trips. The engine now has Mobil I 0-w-20 and Purolator PureOne filter. Can you give me any ideas about that rattle at the beginning?I then tried to register on the GM Tech Link....but I guess I am not allowed. I would love to have any and all service bulletins and tech information.

[mailxd]

Does the dealership do anything regarding such noise?http://service.gm.com/index_en-US/si.htmlAttachment: VVT_rattle.wmv (492028 bytes, downloaded 19 times)

[frankiemenz]

I had my spoiler/paint issue fixed

[10vibe]

I have had what I would describe as a fluttery or chatty valve lash noise upon several hours of a sitting cold start up in varying temperatures on my 2010 1.8 liter that has less than 9000 miles on it. I hear it on slight or easy acceleration. It goes away as the car warms up. Around the time it is going away I sometimes will hear what sounds like a slight piston slap for a couple minutes when idling at a red light two or so miles from home, or at an ATM, drive-thru or next to a brick wall, etc.Engine oils used has been dealership bulk Northland 5-w20, Mobil 1 0w-20, and supposedly Toyota 0w-20 from dealership. No discernible difference in engine noise. I have a real strong urge to try Mobil 1 0w-30 the next time it is on sale in the 5 Qt jug at Wallyworld. I think I read on BITOG that it is a "thin" 0w-30 so I can't see how it would affect VVT-I or anything else negatively and might quiet the engine while possibly providing superior protection in some situations. Most people probably do not hear these noises because the radio is always on, blower is blowing, cell phone jammed in the ear, passengers yacking, noisy clothes like leather jackets squeaking, Harley riders with straight pipes, etc. Not to mention that the Vibe has a very noisy interior, especially coming from the hatch area, and that the suspension is somewhat noisy and harsh and makes the rest of the car noisier. The stock tires has to be causing some of this stiff jarring ride and noise too.

[09Vibe]

Thanks for the video, sounds like they are aware of the issue and I've heard that a couple of times this winter as well, has been after the car sat outside all weekend and Monday morning was -20. I've got 5W20 Synthetic in it and that sound went away just as fast. I'm not surpised really - I've heard chatter like that in other motors at extreme temps and thats why I have synthetic in there so the oil gets back up as quickly as possible. I'd be concerned if that noise was occurring at -2 or something but as stated, only happened on those extreme days. Heard the same rattle in our G6 when we had it (2.4 Litre) under the same conditions, actually happens less in this car I think because pretty much under any conditions the starter seems to engage longer on this engine before it actually fires up - thus, more oil pressure.

[cq358]

I agree with both of you. I think it is a nature for a chain driven engine to have the chatter noise during cold start. Chain needs a lot of lubrication when spinning in high speed. I think a thinner oil might help during start up. I am using Quaker Stake synthetic 5w20, even in -32 C the viscosity still fine base inspecting the dip stick. Just a little frozen ice built up at the top oil level.I will bring it to the dealer this week. But I would agree to the adviser's advice, to use the block heater for 3+ hours. I think using block heater + synthetic oil = good enough to park outside in winterOther questionWhen you start your car tomorrow during cold morning could you try idle to 2k rpm , in your best of your ability , could you hold it in that rpm for 20 second. Could you hear a thumping noise in 2-3 second interval. Is like a bass drum banging.I am wondering is it because the frozen engine mount, or it is just a exhaust /intake noise.May be I have too much ear wax inside my ear so I start hearing so many weird noise

[09Vibe]

Lifted the hood this morning to top up the windshield washer fluid and had the wife crank over the engine (-10). Definitely heard the same sound for a second as shown in the video. Immediately gone once oil pressure shot up there, to me it sounds like the camshafts interacting with the valve springs (springs popping back upward with force) or just the usual cam chain tensioner characteristic... which I'd bet is characteristic of the design and nothing to worry about it. Unless someone has an 'IN' with a GM tech who can follow up on any TSB's or that tech link video / posting. More then likely the Toyota / GM follow up would be to simply to insulate the engine cover more so the noise is better masked. I think what others hear at lower rpm is typical timing chain and ballance shaft noise. When you have a dual overhead cam engine with ballance shafts and a chain you get a harmonic clanking sound at a given rpm. Most cars with DOHC and Ballance shafts make this noise somewhere at idle. It would appear that ours does it in the 1300 - 1500 RPM area as well. I've heard a failing tensioner before and typically they would make a loud clacking noise on cool start up and would either go away once oil was flowing or more often continue non-stop and change as rpm increase. I've Googled but I don't see anyone out there in the Matrix arena or otherwise yelling at Toyota about this just yet...

[ParknVibe]

Just want to add that I made my own video recording of starting my 2.4L engine like the GM tech guy did. I did however leave the black plastic cover in place. (nevered took anything apart yet). Anyway, the engine started without that sudden brief noise like heard on the GM tech video. A question I have concerning the GM Tech engine start, is if the engine started like that all the time, or was/is it only when it's cold or very cold???

[09Vibe]

I would say only when its pretty cold and has been sitting for awhile where there is no lubrication left up there. I park in a relatively heated garage at work, above zero for sure and it certainly doesn't make that noise after sitting for 8-9 hrs down there. Overnight when it dips to -15 one night in my driveway is another scenario. I suppose if they actually release a TSB about this and are replacing cam tensioners over consumer complaints then I may raise an eyebrow but at the moment I feel its a design issue. If it worsens next winter - well thats a different story, might have to start complaining while still under warranty!

[mailxd]

had a visit to the GMC dealer at 29k for my basic Vibe 2009.I was told all needs to be done are within warranty coverage:1) replace serpentine belt assembly2) replace steering shaft (plastic rattle noise in dash area)I was told mine isn't in recall for mat/break, and I shall do oil/brake cleaning at 30k checkpoint.I also asked whether anything needs to be done with gearing-up/down, exhaust pipe rust, wheel center cap ---- not that I found anything particular wrong, and they said not necessary.I'll go back when they have the above two orders in place. Anything in particular I should ask them to check before my warranty goes in a couple of months? ( a bit surprised that the above two orders became necessary at such early mileage)

[mailxd]

They carelessly broke some hook related to the airbag --- resulting in one week wait --- after a few visits, the Vibe is finally back to perfect condition ---- I have one month or so left on warranty. Anything I should try to benifit from before they start charging huge ? (I could imagine even the minor issues my warranty covered would not be cheap)Thanks.

[slick7616]

I hear the noise on cold starts. In the winter it will happen after a few hours. I get it in the summer in the morning thats about it. I'm trying the Lucas oil additive to see if that works, to me it sounds like a dry start kind of thing due to the cheap oil my dealer put in it from the free oil changes they offer. I can only imagine it is the cheapest oil they can find. I took it to the dealer for the noise and they told me the oil level was low and they changed the oil and fixed the problem, but it did it again the next morning.