Major Repair - Manual Trans and Oil Leak Suggested

[jsc1]

Just took my 2003 Vibe with 63k miles to the Toyota dealer (because I'm mad at the Pontiac dealer) for them to look into a gear/bearing noise that I was dreading the thought of what it might be. Guess the dread was justified. Dealer claims I have a bearing problem and quoted a new manual trans installed for $4,149. Also, I had an oil leak that I didn't know about - nothing on driveway - but which they say is quite common, for another ~$1,800.$6,000! on a 6 year old car. (And it's already had the cataclysmic perverter replaced under warranty at 58k mi., so I dodged that bullet!) (Yes, I know what I said - its a joke - from 30+ years ago!)I'm not real happy. Anybody got any good ideas? I can't see putting this much into it. With GM in bankruptcy, can't see them doing anything, and I just used to get grief from the dealer that it wasn't a "real" Pontiac. Problem is, it's not a "real" Toyota, either.

[jimincalif]

Find a good independent shop to take it to for an estimate. Probably still won't be cheap, but less expensive than a dealer. I don't know that I'd put $6K into it either.

[Caretaker]

Nope, I wouldn't put that kind of money into a 2003 either. Sorry you don't have more miles on it. 60K is just breaking in a Corolla engine. I'd get a second opinion, and then consider a different car if the estimate comes back the same. Sorry for your troubles. Also: can you enlighten us on "oil leak is common"???? I have to put in a quart of oil every 2,000 miles or so on my 2003. It is losing oil somewhere, yet it DEFINITELY is not an external leak, and I pass emissions every other year. I also had the coolant system checked in case the oil was mixing in with my radiator coolant: it is not. So any further information about your oil loss would be greatly appreciated jsc1. Thanks in advance.

[joatmon]

On the tranny, the 03's have a bearing issue that so far seems to have been fixed in later years. On mine, I got a replacement from a wrecked Corolla. The one in my Vibe now has 120K miles on it, no hints of bearing failure re-occurence. You should be able to get one from a junkyard and pay someone to install it, perhaps even with a new clutch while they are in there, for under $2K. It's still more than you want to pay, but the car is probably worth putting $2K into it. Compare it fixed to what car you can buy for $2K. If you get one from a junkyard, get it from somewhere that provides at least some short term warranty. Also, don't get another 03, shoot for 05-08.On the oil leak, if it's not dripping anywhere, it can't be that big of a leak. $1800 buys a lot of oil. Not the eco-friendly option, but $1800? that;s a lot. I wonder where they think it is leaking.I know I am unimpressed with Toyota quality. The only big problems I've had on the car have been with the Toyota parts.

[jsc1]

Guys, thanks for the recommendations. Yes, will look into second opinions and independent shops. My fear is that parts are not available, and will have to take my chances on a used trans. So 05-08 tranny will fit 03? Sounds like something to shoot for if that's the case.The oil leak is something that completely surprised me, because there were no signs of it on the driveway. HOWEVER, I had been pushing my oil change interval to 4k miles, and just on a whim, decided to check the oil since it was getting close - IT WAS BARELY SHOWING ON THE STICK! This was the day before I took it in to the dealer. Threw a quick quart in, then had oil changed by the dealer while it was there.Mechanic showed me the leak - is on passenger side next to firewall. Is supposedly at the junction of the timing cover, head, and exhaust manifold (not sure of third part). Supposedly common enough on that engine, that mechanic says when he sees it, that he recommends to immediately fix it. Threat is that it will eventually affect the oil flow to the timing chain, and if that goes, more fun, ie, chain banging around, as well as crashed valves & pistons I suppose, since it's an interference engine. I'm wondering if a little cleaning and JB Weld would do the job! But again, mechanic at the dealer said this was relatively common??We also have a 2004 with automatic that my wife drives. Because of my problems, I'm wondering about getting a new car (probably not Toyota this time) just in case her's is next. 2004's do seem to be better, from what I'm finding, so not sure. May depend on what I can find for mine.

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by jsc1 »Mechanic showed me the leak - is on passenger side next to firewall. Is supposedly at the junction of the timing cover, head, and exhaust manifold (not sure of third part). Supposedly common enough on that engine, that mechanic says when he sees it, that he recommends to immediately fix it. Threat is that it will eventually affect the oil flow to the timing chain, and if that goes, more fun, ie, chain banging around, as well as crashed valves & pistons I suppose, since it's an interference engine. I'm wondering if a little cleaning and JB Weld would do the job! But again, mechanic at the dealer said this was relatively common??mine's been using oil lately, down a quart after about 2500 miles I need to check this spot for leakage, but see absolutely no evidence of drips on the garage floor. I can see where not having enough oil will cause problems (duh!) but other than that why an oil leak would affect oil flow to the timing chain. Seems like if you keep it topped up, the only problem is the cost of extra oil and the mess of a leak.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by jsc1 »Guys, thanks for the recommendations. Yes, will look into second opinions and independent shops. My fear is that parts are not available, and will have to take my chances on a used trans. So 05-08 tranny will fit 03? Sounds like something to shoot for if that's the case.The oil leak is something that completely surprised me, because there were no signs of it on the driveway. HOWEVER, I had been pushing my oil change interval to 4k miles, and just on a whim, decided to check the oil since it was getting close - IT WAS BARELY SHOWING ON THE STICK! This was the day before I took it in to the dealer. Threw a quick quart in, then had oil changed by the dealer while it was there.Mechanic showed me the leak - is on passenger side next to firewall. Is supposedly at the junction of the timing cover, head, and exhaust manifold (not sure of third part). Supposedly common enough on that engine, that mechanic says when he sees it, that he recommends to immediately fix it. Threat is that it will eventually affect the oil flow to the timing chain, and if that goes, more fun, ie, chain banging around, as well as crashed valves & pistons I suppose, since it's an interference engine. I'm wondering if a little cleaning and JB Weld would do the job! But again, mechanic at the dealer said this was relatively common??We also have a 2004 with automatic that my wife drives. Because of my problems, I'm wondering about getting a new car (probably not Toyota this time) just in case her's is next. 2004's do seem to be better, from what I'm finding, so not sure. May depend on what I can find for mine.I would take the car to an independent shop ASAP... Stealerships are known for this sort of thing... get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion.. Parts are plenty available... it's a corrolla which has been around since the early 90's .. What's the problem with a used tranny if it gets you out the door for under 2k? I mean you are considering a different car, wouldn't a used tranny be a lot cheaper?

[jsc1]

Looked into used tranny - $1700 for used 2008 with 9000 miles. $1400 for 2006 with 78k miles. Didn't do a lot of shopping, but I realize that all of these outfits know what a new one costs and what's available in the area. Doesn't include any of the other parts that might be needed & make sense, and the labor. Think I'd be within $500 of what the dealer wanted when I was all done.Then there's the oil leak - yeh, it seems like all I have to do is monitor it, but I already had the catylitic converter changed earlier this year - I'm wondering if extra oil in the exhaust caused that and will it happen again shortly. And the boots on the front struts are shot - stuts should be easy to change but cost? Really thinking that it makes sense to dump this. I have to be honest, so I'll probably get more with the write-off for charity than from a dealer for trade in - IF they will even take it. (Maybe junk yard would offer more for parts!?!)Disappointing, to say the least.

[Sublimewind]

Yeah, that sucks brotha... Well, good luck in your decision..

[ou.grizzly]

Would you be interested in selling the Vibe?