Motor Problems
Motor Problems
I have a 2003 with 51,000 mikes and the thing just threw a rod. Has anyone else had a problem with the motors on their cars?I thought the motor would be a strong point of the car not the weekest.I took it to the dealer and they spent 2 hours of labor at $78/hr to tell me the motor had thrown a rod, after I told them that is what I suspected was wrong when I towed it in.They tell me its going to be $3200 to rebuild the motor but thats an estimate. I like an idiot asked about a new motor, give a guess what the quoted me for that, $7000 yes about half of what the car cost new.I said you have got to be kidding me, what is that about 400% mark up. I ask them to talk to Pontiac on my behalf to see if Pontiac would do anything. Thats before I lose my cool and send some nasty letters around on my own. I kept my cool and composure and will wait to see what they have to say tomorrow but I stopped them from continuing on the car.I call a local salvage yard they have a 2004 vibe motor with 6K miles for $1,000. They will warranty it for 30 days butif there is going to be a problem I would expect to see it right away.What do you guys think?
Re: Motor Problems (mthammer)
A grand don't sound to bad for a motor with 6k on it. You never know how much damage a thrown rod has done to a motor untill you get inside. I'd guess that its a rod bearing or something? I'd check around with a few other shops in your area before having any major work done by the dealer. I can't imagine a lower end costing that much to rebuild. Guess it just depends on how much damage it did to the rest of the motor. I bet you could find a few reputable shops in your area that could do the job for alot less if your wanting a rebuild. I doubt GM is going to do anything unless you have an extended warranty? Maybe they will and I wish you the best of luck. Maybe someone else here can help that might have had some of the same experences that your having. Sorry to see you having such horrible problems with your Vibe. Keep us updated please.
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Re: Motor Problems (mthammer)
that sucks big time, I wonder what made it go out? I agree that the motor should be a strong point in these cars, at least I hoped it would be when I bought it.Does the $1000 include install? If you get the salvage engine, then drive it all the time for those 30 days.
And watch out. I know there're differences between the 03 and the 04' GT motors, but I don't know about the base or AWD motors.. $1,000 for a salvage engine doesn't sound too bad..
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
Re: Motor Problems (mthammer)
$1,000 for a used engine does not sound bad even if it does not include install. My Bro-in-law got a used engine for his Saturn at 130K and has had no issues with the used one, drives it everyday. Stay away from the dealer purely for cost reasons. Lots of others out there that will gladly do it and for better or equal service. Possibly the dlr could offer a better warranty though. Sorry to hear about the bad luck.
Re: Motor Problems (mthammer)
Well I've still not heard from Pontiac yet, so I'm expecting it not to be good, which realy going to (removed) me off. I hope to hear from them today. I fully expect to be installing the yard motor this weekend. I look at it this way a motor with 6,000 miles is going to be better then the rebuild I'm going to get where they only replace the minimum. They should redo all the rings and pistons on the rebuild which they aren't planning on doing at this point I'd be afraid of what the price would be to do that.
Re: Motor Problems (silverawd26)
I got Pontiac this morning amd they called me back and the final deal is they will replace the motor and are going to charge me 1200. Its more then what I wanted to spend but I feel its reasonable.
Re: Motor Problems (mthammer)
For $1200.00 you got a new motor instead of a junk yard motor and it is installed as well. You will also get a warranty of more than 30 days, I would think. Sounds like a good deal, although a lot of manufacturers give a warranty of 60,000 miles or more on their drive trains these days. The Vibe (Toyota) warranty seems pretty chincey in these days of competetive car sales. I am very disappointed by the poor warranty provided with these otherwise excellent cars.