My "new to me" 2003 Vibe. 140K miles

[cruxofthebisquit]

Hello guys, I've had great luck on forums before and new to this vehicle and forum. I've purchased a "frosty" 2003 Vibe for a work car over the last summer. I do like the car and have decided to keep it for said purpose. Now since I plan to keep, I have a few problems I'll have to fix. First is coolant loss, then the dreaded PO420 code and also noisy vlave rattle on startup. And I need a radio. My coolant loss is constant. It will lose it all if I let it but never find a trail of loss. Just have to keep under the hood putting in more, esp after a long 200 miles or more trip. It does lose around town but more sporatic. I have by-passed the heater core to rule that out, it made no difference. I looked at past threads and saw no definate fix but wonder now w/ years gone by if people may have seen a common problem. I'm pretty sure it's a stock pump and T-stat. The 420 i tied to fix with Spark plug defoulers but it kicks back in after a trip also. I may get new O2 sensors anyway to see if that may clear it up, unless someone says "if it only rears it's head after highway use, it's a mjor problem, not sensors". And the radio. The fricken dealer wants 150 bucks to re-code one if I get it off E-bay. I'm not really wanting to get into aftermarket and all the crap needed to integrate the dash and harness but most sereo shops I called say they can't re-program a stocker so I'm stuck with expensive stock or expensive aftermarket retro-fit. I guess. The stereo is the least of my worries though. I'll prob. just go buy the junk and tackle it. My main concern is the coolant loss. It's a LOT. I have to stay after it as it goes away quickly. Like once a week I need a full recovery bottle and some to the radiator maybe a quart or 2 a week. Checked compression in engine. It's great. 180-200 all the way across. It could be a slow head gasket but I'm sure not getting that to show anyway. Oh, and it NEVER overheats. Stays right at rec'd, right below 1/2 way mark. Sorry for long post. Thought maybe some may have all the answers as these cars are getting old now and most flws should have been found worked out by most.

[star_deceiver]

Check around the water pump weep hole, but it sounds more like a headgasket leak, which would also explain the 420 code. Check for rusted areas in/around the tailpipe.

[cruxofthebisquit]

Are these known to have a headgasket leak AND not overheat? I don't see any rust around tail pipe and never see anything drip from headpipe to flage....which is another problem. I took of the old exhaust donut, it was all cut up from a leak. Put the CORRECT one back in. Still leaks when in reverse. I think the bolts are bottoming before it gets tight. May try shoulderless. Hate to put a bolt that rust easy though. Guess I need to find S.S. Oh and has anybody had trouble w/ alignment? I went to Firestone (yea they suk) and they said I needed a new rear end as it had toe in in back...1 degree. And it pulls hard to the left. Can't they just 2 wheel align? I've got a truck that I KNOW isn't straight all 4 wheels and it 's easier to hold on the road. Anyway, I also don't see anything from weephole but it's SOMETHING that only happens when really up to temp. Ya, know I may be talking myself outta this car.

[star_deceiver]

I've seen very few headgasket issues here but if it's losing coolant and there's no external leak... it's seeping through somewhere.

There have been several threads on alignments here and there.

[cruxofthebisquit]

tried liquid glass then put in fresh anti-freeze. No way I'm doing a head gasket on a beater car. Hope it works.

[Flip-Side]

Spark plug defoulers? On iridiums? Replace with denso or NGK iridium equivalent if they are bad. I actually replaced individual coils before any of my old plugs went bad.

P0420 was bad o2 sensors AND a bad catalytic converter for me if I recall. Midas to the rescue.

That amount of coolant loss is extreme for any head gasket leak I have ever dealt with. Internally leaking with no overheating, or rough idle? Never seen it.

1 deg toe-in is fairly common on vibe/matrix rear ends. Shimming is required for alignment if you think you need it.

You kind of lost me with all of the issues you are seeing. It seems like you are pretty proactive on these items.

One last thing, clean your MAF yet?