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Scion xB Engine Problems

119 messages,  Last post on Mar 06, 2013 at 12:05 PM

You are in the Scion xB Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Scion xB, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 8 of 13

#68 of 119 Re: 2005 xb won't start shop can't find what's wrong? [highlander3041] by mrs2010

May 15, 2010 (9:45 pm)

Replying to: highlander3041 (Jul 14, 2008 8:39 pm)
possible crank sensor needs to be replaced.

#69 of 119 Re: blown xb motor.."s"??? [04scizzy] by mrs2010

May 15, 2010 (9:48 pm)

Replying to: 04scizzy (Jul 08, 2006 11:07 pm)
I have started a class action law suite against Toyota Corp. & Scion Corp. Because all of there cars consume oil, They know about it and when the consumer asks the question they say, "look in your service manual" and there it is in black and white "this car consumes oil' They recommend that you check your oil every time you fill your car up with gas. My car is a 2008 Toyota Scion XB, with 47000 miles on it now and it is consumming about 3 quarts every 5000 miles and the Toyota corp says " it's with in our standards" Which doesn't make any sence in 2010.

#70 of 119 Re: 2008 Scion XB MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM [dukedude] by mrs2010

May 15, 2010 (9:56 pm)

Replying to: dukedude (Oct 19, 2007 8:48 am)
I have started a class action law suite against Toyota Corp. & Scion Corp. Because all of there cars consume oil, They know about it and when the consumer asks the question they say, "look in your service manual" and there it is in black and white "this car consumes oil' They recommend that you check your oil every time you fill your car up with gas. My car is a 2008 Toyota Scion XB, with 47000 miles on it now and it is consumming about 3 quarts every 5000 miles and the Toyota corp says " it's with in our standards" Which doesn't make any sence in 2010. Have you check your oil lately? You should check it every time you fill your car with gas.
  Keep in touch with me, I'll add your complaint to the rest of them. Also check your service manual under engine oil consumption! See what it says, Unfortunatly its not good and its not right. Write your congressman office and complain to them also write a letter to your Attorney Generals office in your state. My letter just went out about two weeks ago. They will responed!

#71 of 119 Re: 2008 Scion XB MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEM [slamon] by mrs2010

May 15, 2010 (10:00 pm)

Replying to: slamon (Oct 26, 2007 11:06 am)
I have started a class action law suite against Toyota Corp. & Scion Corp. Because all of there cars consume oil, They know about it and when the consumer asks the question they say, "look in your service manual" and there it is in black and white "this car consumes oil' They recommend that you check your oil every time you fill your car up with gas. My car is a 2008 Toyota Scion XB, with 47000 miles on it now and it is consumming about 3 quarts every 5000 miles and the Toyota corp says " it's with in our standards" Which doesn't make any sence in 2010. Have you checked your Oil lately ?
 
Contact your local States congressman, all of them! Also write your complaint to your states Attorney General, Lets get the word out about these engine issues, I'll never buy another Toyota or Scion for that matter!

#72 of 119 Scion difficult to start today, then ran fine by sciontrapper

Jun 12, 2010 (10:23 pm)

I am slightly worried. My 2005 Scion with 160,000 miles on it, didn't start right up as usual today. It coughed sputtered engaged, tried, then died. Started fine on the second crank, however, and ran fine. I just made a quarter mile trip to the store, then back. And yikes, it had heated up badly. Radiator water level fine.
 
I'm worried. Any ideas? I'm out of dough. Just had the windshield replaced for $199 cash and the brakes done, badly I might add, at a cheapo shop I shouldnt have used. So I'm out of cash, dead broke and I don't want a dead Scion that's for sure, because I need it to live (get to store, do my job, etc).
 
Thoughts on the matter, mechanics out there? I read on the list somewhere, ethanol might be to blame. Well, when they upped the percentage sure did lower my mileage by about two to three mpg. Darn it. But I never have had starting problems ever before. I had it to a shop month and a half ago, to change tran fluid, check everything out. He told me the switch is stuck in the window, the open close the window switch, and he was supposed to order the replacement part but hasn't. Maybe it's draining the battery. But it sounded more like the engine was coughing, not getting enough air or gas, straining, made some wierd little cut short sucking sounds, too. Didn't like hearing that. If I'm driving and hear bad car engine sounds, i turn up the radio, but I hadn't gotten out of the garage yet.

#73 of 119 Re: Engine Noise [ashcarr] by sciontrapper

Jun 12, 2010 (10:30 pm)

Replying to: ashcarr (Nov 11, 2009 10:51 pm)
I have had that sound periodically too, ever since I got the scion. I have no idea what that's about. I even recorded it once. Doesn't seem to have affected the running of the car, since mine now has 160k miles on it, but it still does it, not that often but usually in reverse. Someone else told me that's normal when the engine isn't warm, or to use lower number engine oil. But, well, I got used to the sound and try to ignore it best I can, when it happens. Nothing bad has happened because of it, in all these years I have driven mine to death. Not that I know of anyhow.

#74 of 119 Re: Scion difficult to start today, then ran fine [sciontrapper] by hondadave7

Jun 13, 2010 (7:52 am)

Replying to: sciontrapper (Jun 12, 2010 10:23 pm)
With 160,000 miles, have you ever changed your thermostat? Don't fool with it, install a new thermostat, Start it in your driveway and carefully watch your temperature gauge. If it gets close to "HOT" cut-off the engine. Aluminum block engines can't stand very much extended temperature. David

#75 of 119 Re: Scion difficult to start today, then ran fine [hondadave7] by crazedcommuter

Jun 18, 2010 (7:57 pm)

Replying to: hondadave7 (Jun 13, 2010 7:52 am)
I agree. Replace the thermostat asap. It's a cheap fix. My 05 has 103k on it with zero issues although my daughter now drives it only 2k a year now. I put 35k/yr on it the 1st 2 years before I found a carpool. One of the best cars I ever owned.

#76 of 119 Re: David [debating] by boxen06

Mar 26, 2011 (9:41 am)

Replying to: debating (Jan 29, 2009 7:19 pm)
I know that this is a dead post.. but I could not HELP but correct some inaccuracies!! If you are not correctly informed on what is wrong with your car, then you have no business commenting on it. The 1.5l motor in the early xb's is a variable valve timing motor - like what honda and toyota have been using for many many years. For Toyota is is VVT-i, Honda it is VTEC. Domestic manufacturers are only just now manufacturing 4 cylinders with this technology.
 
Basically, the timing is variable, and changes - its dependent on the car's oil pressure. Its ingenious and sounds complicated but works relatively simply. The oil pressure switch communicates the pressure to the variable timing gear (your failed part, in this case) and that gear adjusts the timing for the best performance and/or fuel economy. Its amazing!
 
I bought a used 06 scion xb with 40 k miles and had this VVT-i gear fail on me as well. It is a common problem on SOME early - mid 2000 model toyota 4cylinders, and normally fails when the vehicle is within its powertrain warranty coverage. The problem lies when someone ignores their check engine light, or takes it to an inferior mechanic who replaces the wrong parts (like ignition coils? wtf? never had one of those fail on these cars..) and the problem continues, unheeded until it is past warranty coverage. Mine was covered free of charge, on a saturday, by my local 'stealership'.
 
Even if you are past your warranty coverage, it is NOT a HUGE job. This car is pretty easy to work on. The VVT-i gear is just one of the timing chain gears. The side cover comes off, you change the gear, (i think it may be on the end of the camshaft?) maintain correct timing, put it back together. voila. Book labor time is 4.8 hours. I have seen much worse cars...
 
Every car has a common problem, a slight weakness from factory, and this is the only one I have found on this car so far, It may seem dramatic to some - but trust me, i have seen FAR, FAR worse... I love this car. It is an economy car, sure, but i love, love, LOVE it.. and it has served me very well. It isn't for everyone, though!
 
(...I have also personally seen some valve timing issues on the early model honda elements as well...)
 
Another note, since I have seen a few other people mentioning coils.. DO YOUR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE!!!!!!!!! This car needs the spark plugs changed every 30k miles. It is factory equipped with copper resistor plugs and they do not last very long. Do not, by any means, EVER, replace the plugs with platinum or iridium instead. The ignition system is designed to run on a resistor. Your car will run rougher and get less gas mileage with a different composition plug. Also, the stock plug is an NGK v-power copper. I highly recommend!!!
 
Your welcome;
 - your friendly, informative, Automotive Service Adviser,
          Candace

#77 of 119 Re: Scion Xb Engine Problems [mrs2010] by inabox

Aug 09, 2011 (1:03 pm)

Replying to: mrs2010 (May 15, 2010 9:43 pm)
I am the owner of a 2008 Scion XB.. I am experiencing oil consumption. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they are telling me that because I didn't get oil changes done thru them .. they can't help me with the problem. My vehicle was brand new when I purchased it and I have read thru al the paperwork and there is nothing in the papers that state oil changes have to be done thru the dealership.. They want $5900.00 to replace the short block in car.. How can this fair.. Why doesn't toyota stand behind their vehicles... Maybe a recall since they know this is an issue with these cars... Anyone else have same problem?

Messages Page 8 of 13

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