Transmissin or clutch?

[average joe vibe]

I was getting a slight gurgling sound whenever I was in gear and applied the gas on my 2003 Stndrd Vibe. I took it to the dealer and they said it sounded like a tranny problem, and that because I had 88,000 KM on it, the warranty was up. I went back and told the dealer to make sure the service tech was correct. Wrong!! Power train is covered for something like 110,000 KM. BUT, then they said that it could be the clutch and that is not covered? They said if they go in and its the tranny, it would cost me nothing, but if they go in and its the clutch I am on the hook for the 3 hours of labour they put into taking the tranny apart and I might as well get the clutch fixed at that point...why am I on the hook for the 3 hours of labour?

[ToolGuy]

Probbaly because the clutch is a wear item. Depending on how the car is driven a person could beat on a clutch and really shorten its life i.e. race it, ride it or constantly dump it. Unless there is a known clutch defect, then it would be covered.

[average joe vibe]

what is the general cost for replacing a clutch through the dealer?

[ToolGuy]

I personally do not know... My 6-speed's clutch is still original so I cannot even use that as an example. I am sure someone here would know though.

[joatmon]

Therre have been a few members who have had problems with the 2003 5-speed tranny, unfortunately including me. Mine was an internal bearing, started out as a whirring kind of sound, only when stepping on the gas, noticeable in 3/4/5, not really in first or second.If it is your tranny or your clutch, you would want to get it fixed either way. If it is the tranny and they fix it under warranty, then that would be most excelent. Mine failed at about 120K km, and in the US I didn't get the extended powertrain warranty that you get If it is the clutch, and you can get them to only charge you three hours of labor to replace it, then you are getting a deal even at dealer service hourly rates, because it is a lot of work on these cars.

[average joe vibe]

Joatmon, that is exactly what is happening to our vibe. Some say its a slight grinding sound, I say it sounds more like a lot of air passing through the engine when I exelerate, others say its a gurgling whirling noise....what was the trouble with your tranny when you took it in?

[joatmon]

my troubles in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=15551and then http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=16794also similar symptoms in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id ... d?id=11765

[EGlickman]

My Vibe GT has 30,000 miles on it and the clutch just started to go. Of course I received the same response regarding coverage (that its NOT) ... Plus they want me to agree to pay $750 to have them confirm that its not covered (the entire job would cost me over $1400) --- I am currently battling with GM as I don't think that is right since clearly its a problem with their product rather than my driving - given the fact that so many people have noted this problem. I have a Toytoa with over 100,000 miles and I JUST relpaced the clutch last year. I suggest that as many people as possible contact GMAC. The number is 800-762-2737.