GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

2003 GT
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A) The water pump or something adjacent is making grumbling noises. I'm betting it's the water pump, but are the idlers/tensioner ever an issue?

B) What other parts do I need to buy before diving in?

C) Recommended sources? I've used Rock Auto for other car's parts.

D) Is there a writeup anywhere I should read first?

While some here have had water pumps fail, it seems more have had belt tensioners fail.

I attached a PDF of the procedure to replace the water pump on 03 Matrix XRS, should be the same on your 03 Vibe GT, if you decide to go that way

Thanks. The "SST" {special secret tool, I guess...} requirement is disturbing; I wonder what else to use instead.

I will look for a writeup on the tensioner.

Before throwing parts at it, remove the belt and spin all the pulleys by hand. I’ve seen alternators and idler pulleys both make the sound you described. You’ll be able to tell which bearing is bad, as it’ll feel gritty.

Thanks, will do that.

I often substitute other tools for SSTs (Special Service Tools--you were close). In this case I have some adjustable pin spanners in my bicycle repair box, some large circlip pliers that might work, a chain or strap wrench in my plumbing box, an old belt and some vise grips, or I'd fashion something from scrap. Sometimes you'll see "special tool ABC123 or suitable substitute" in a manual--that's my kind of manual.

Spent some time on this issue with a friend this afternoon.

We used the dowel as a stethoscope trick on the alternator and heard rumbling.
But then we tried it on the AC compressor while disengaged, and heard rumblings there, too.
So we're not a lot wiser.

We tried to remove the drive belt to spin shafts individually, but the pretty sketch in the shop manual is wildly optimistic.
We see https://photos.app.goo.gl/cQmMSYUs9FB7BacHA.
The nut-shaped boss on the tensioner is recessed under the end of the head,
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S9fs2FeLNFbw3jEE6

We got a 19mm box wrench on but it needs far more force than we were able to apply.
We could not get a ½ inch breaker and socket in there. A friend has some flat tension tool he's offered.

Plus it looks like putting it up on the lift may well make it easier to get a new belt on there.

(Maybe you can see more from underneath but it looks like anything besides the alternator requires pulling the engine.)

I’ve used a pry bar on my tensioner between the hex nut and the pivot point. Had to get creative as mine is rounded off

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:04 am Thanks. The "SST" {special secret tool, I guess...} requirement is disturbing; I wonder what else to use instead.

I will look for a writeup on the tensioner.

I think i basically used a small screwdriver inserted into one of those holes, while using a 1/4" drive ratchet to take the pulley bolts off.

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 6:07 pm Spent some time on this issue with a friend this afternoon.

We got a 19mm box wrench on but it needs far more force than we were able to apply.
We could not get a ½ inch breaker and socket in there. A friend has some flat tension tool he's offered.

I bought a set of these years ago when they were like $40. This is what I use every time to loosen my belt. If I have a little slop in it, I usually throw a rubber glove between the wrench and hex to take up that extra play. I have stripped exactly no tensioner this way.

Do I recall correctly that the size needed is 19mm?

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:30 am Do I recall correctly that the size needed is 19mm?

17mm or 19mm

So I'm borrowing a https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028QGTQI - it has both 17 & 19mm sockets. I'm researching until I can get it. My goal is to know the battlefield before I engage the enemy.

Looking at Rock Auto, I see they only list the "L4" engine. I'm not sure if that is the 2ZZ or not.
They do show tensioner pulley and idler pulleys. It appears they include bearings.

Is there a better source for ZZ2 parts of this ilk?

Is there any reason to consider replacing the tensioner itself? What are the symptoms of its upcoming failure?

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:15 am So I'm borrowing a https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028QGTQI - it has both 17 & 19mm sockets. I'm researching until I can get it. My goal is to know the battlefield before I engage the enemy.

Looking at Rock Auto, I see they only list the "L4" engine. I'm not sure if that is the 2ZZ or not.
They do show tensioner pulley and idler pulleys. It appears they include bearings.

Is there a better source for ZZ2 parts of this ilk?

Is there any reason to consider replacing the tensioner itself? What are the symptoms of its upcoming failure?

monkeywrenchracing.com has 2ZZ belt tensioners, water pumps, etc.

I usually just replace the whole tensioner assembly. They're aluminum, and most people round out the hex to loosen the tension as they use 12pt sockets instead of 6pt.

zbyers wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:36 am
monkeywrenchracing.com has 2ZZ belt tensioners, water pumps, etc.

Alas, not well-enough identified for me to figure out which I need. The Vibe does not appear on the LH selector.

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:39 pm

zbyers wrote: ↑Mon Mar 29, 2021 2:36 am
monkeywrenchracing.com has 2ZZ belt tensioners, water pumps, etc.

Alas, not well-enough identified for me to figure out which I need. The Vibe does not appear on the LH selector.

No, but the matrix is listed.

zbyers wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 3:26 am No, but the matrix is listed.

But are all Matrix's ones with ZZ2 engines?

FWIW: I asked Gates and their GT belt is pn# K060747; no pulleys/tensioner
1ZZ is K060725, Tensioner assy is 94860009; or 38286

They call out if it fits a 1ZZ or 2ZZ. MWR is one of the best sources for this platform.

ZZvroom wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 6:24 pm

zbyers wrote: ↑Tue Mar 30, 2021 3:26 am No, but the matrix is listed.

But are all Matrix's ones with ZZ2 engines?

FWIW: I asked Gates and their GT belt is pn# K060747; no pulleys/tensioner
1ZZ is K060725, Tensioner assy is 94860009; or 38286

Matrix XR = 1zz
Matrix XRS = 2zz
Vibe = 1zz
Vibe GT = 2zz

CraftsmanQuad19 wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 3:52 pm
Matrix XR = 1zz
Matrix XRS = 2zz
Vibe = 1zz
Vibe GT = 2zz

Thanks. I've looked around for both pulleys. Dayco reports that their 89144 is the pulley for both the tensioner and idler.

Monkey Racing mentions a special socket for the tensioner pulley; it looks like it may be a E-Torx one. Correct?