You are here: Forums Wagons Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Pontiac Vibe Engine Questions

Pontiac Vibe Engine Questions

132 messages,  Last post on Nov 20, 2009 at 7:06 PM

You are in the Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Vibe, Engine, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 14 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#11 of 132 Re: Exhaust Smoke [chuckb3] by hmar Apr 14, 2006 (9:52 am)
Replying to: chuckb3 (Apr 13, 2006 12:45 pm) I would echo what another user said and bring it to GM ASAP. According to Cars.com, Pontiac offers a 3 yr/ 36K powertrain warranty on its vehicles (strangely, Toyota offers a 5 yr/ 60K on theirs, even though Matrix and Vibe are the same, powertrain-wise). I looked at a 2004 Matrix at a non-Toyota dealer, and the powertrain warranty was in effect. Also, if you look at a CarFax report, you'll see that it estimates the remaining life on the warranty. As CarFax is a resource for buyers of used cars, why would it do this if the warranty was invalidated beyond the initial owner? Good luck with this, ChuckB - I'm sure a number of us are curious as to how this will turn out.
#12 of 132 Re: Exhaust Smoke [chuckb3] by fear_hope Apr 14, 2006 (2:32 pm)
Replying to: chuckb3 (Apr 13, 2006 12:45 pm) My last auto was a GM. I bought it with 24000K on it, used. I had quite a few things fixed on it under warranty. My daughter also bought a GM used, 18000K on it. She also had warranty work done. The GM factory warranty is good for 36000K, first owner or subsequent does not matter. Please take it back to a GM dealer. If not one in your immediate area to one further away. Call them first and tell them your problem so they will be expecting you. Be sure to have them document your complaint, even if they can't duplicate the problem. Get a copy; you can use it later if a problem develops out of warranty. GM should still honor it because it began while in warranty. Good luck, and let us know how things turn out. Replies to this message: chuckb3 (Apr 15, 2006 8:38 am) scrappyd (May 06, 2006 5:21 pm) mrcolt (Feb 24, 2007 11:03 pm)
#13 of 132 Re: Exhaust Smoke [fear_hope] by chuckb3 Apr 15, 2006 (8:38 am)
Replying to: fear_hope (Apr 14, 2006 2:32 pm) I really appreciate the input from all of you. My Vibe was, as I previously stated, a rental. It appeared to be in near-perfect condition. It is a 2004, but the rental agency took delivery in July 2003, so I don't have much time (July 06) or mileage (6,000 miles) left on the warranty. I will go to the local GM dealer and try to get some cooperation/documentation with regard to the exhaust smoke issue. I'll let you all know what happens. With regard to the low transmission fluid, I recommend everyone check their ATF level regardless of what the owner's manual says, mileage or age of your Vibe/Matrix. The consensus at the GM and Toyota dealers is that my ATF was low from the factory. The car doesn't leak a drop of any kind of fluid, and both dealers say that unless there are signs of leaks, fluid levels are not checked except per factory recommended time or mileage intervals. I added a quart of ATF to bring the level up, which is a lot considering the transmission capacity is only 3.2 quarts. The car was probably driven 30,000 miles a quart low. even though it still works well and the fluid looks/smells okay, I will get the transmission serviced immediately. FYI, My recent trip covered over 1100 miles and I averaged 32 mpg. The Vibe runs well and is a a joy to drive. Replies to this message: scrappyd (May 06, 2006 5:21 pm) mrcolt (Feb 24, 2007 11:03 pm)
#14 of 132 Re: Exhaust Smoke [chuckb3] by scrappyd May 06, 2006 (5:21 pm)
Replying to: chuckb3 (Apr 15, 2006 8:38 am) Here is a link I found helpful. While my PV2005 is still under warranty I'm bringing this doc in to the Pontiac GMC dealer I'm working with and have each of these items checked. Though you have to order the TSB - if your lucky you can ask the shop mechanic at the dealership for the bullentin. Thanks for points on ATF.   Here is the link: http://www.infotraxx.com/searchPublic.php?Year=2005&Make=PONTIAC&Model=VIBE&Subm- it=Find+TSBs   I like my PV too..but I miss my Toyota. Replies to this message: mrcolt (Feb 24, 2007 11:03 pm)
#15 of 132 Starting Woes by jstant01 May 05, 2006 (2:12 pm)
Well, my 2005 Vibe finally refused to start for the first time today after work. Thank God for Pontiac Roadside Assistance which towed it to the dealer.   For those of you who haven't read through the forums, I'm one of the guys with the mysterious "warm restart" issue on my 2005 Vibe. The car always starts great, except when the engine is warm (i.e. run into a store, come back out, car doesn't want to start).   Well, today it didn't want to start period. Turned over fine, but the engine just would not catch. Maybe whatever's wrong will fix the warm restart problem also. I'll post what it is for others who have the same issue, if it fixes it.   I have no confidence in "Toyota" reliability after my experiences with this car. I think next time I'll buy a Honda. I have no desire to give GM any business either. Replies to this message: scrappyd (May 06, 2006 6:13 pm) jstant01 (May 10, 2006 5:26 am) herzogtum71 (May 11, 2006 6:05 am) scrappyd (May 11, 2006 6:53 am)
#16 of 132 Re: Starting Woes [jstant01] by scrappyd May 06, 2006 (6:13 pm)
Replying to: jstant01 (May 05, 2006 2:12 pm) When I was shopping for a PV. I ended up getting the 05 PV. I test drove a used one that had the exact same issue you are describing. The dealer was gonna give me a "deal". I didn't get it but the svs mgr called me later and told me they tracked the problem to the battery. When a new one was installed when it went on their lot..the computer did not "reteach itself because the negative lead was removed". He said they had to call around several times to discover this issue. He's the one that instructed me to this web site to find other issues. At least I know what I might be in store for. I miss my Toyota. The Vibe was concieved by GMC and built (by GMC) to Toyota assembly stds (by GMC) with Toyota comp.at at joint GM/Toy assembly plant. I wouldn't give up Toyota just yet. Hope this may help. Let us know. Replies to this message: jstant01 (May 10, 2006 5:26 am) herzogtum71 (May 11, 2006 6:05 am) scrappyd (May 11, 2006 6:53 am)
#17 of 132 Re: Starting Woes [scrappyd] by jstant01 May 10, 2006 (5:26 am)
Replying to: scrappyd (May 06, 2006 6:13 pm) Well, you guys aren't going to believe this one. My car has been infiltrated by "rodents" - probably chipmunks. I live in the country surrounded by fields with lots of critters...   Anyhow, this is the second time this has happened. A check engine light about a month ago was traced to a "chewed through" crankcase harness, which they replaced under warranty. However, they told me then that they wouldn't cover anything else attributable to the rodents.   Well, the reason it wouldn't start is because the pests chewed through the entire crankcase harness and then some, so they're still trying to figure it out - on my bill. It appears my insurance company is going to cover it - or at least some of it, however, but I'll be without a car for more than a week. They have to take out the alternator and the radiator to get to the crankcase wiring harness apparently.   I've lived in the same place for 15 years, and although I have seen some minor evidence of rodents being in my vehicles in the past (chewed nut casings, etc.), this is the first car that they've done this kind of damage too. Unbelievable.   I told myself on the one hand I should be happy, since now it appears I don't have a lemon - I just have pesky animal neighbors! But it sucks royally having to go through this, and I sure hope they find and replace everything they've destroyed and get everything put back together correctly. The dealer's been real good about it, which is amazing, considering how most dealer's are less than sympathetic about these kind of things.   So, word to the wise. If you live in the country or in a rodent-prone area - BEWARE! I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do to keep them out of the car when I get it back. Any ideas? I'm thinking about parking over a tarp covered with mothballs... Replies to this message: herzogtum71 (May 11, 2006 6:05 am) scrappyd (May 11, 2006 6:53 am)
#18 of 132 Re: Starting Woes [jstant01] by herzogtum71 May 11, 2006 (6:05 am)
Replying to: jstant01 (May 10, 2006 5:26 am) The people who used to live next door had squirrels chew through something that caused their car to not start. It happened only once to my knowledge. In colder weather the rodents are attracted to the warmth of the engine, and in this case the squirrels had actually built a nest in the engine compartment, using pieces of the hood insulation as nesting material. I don't think they did anything after the damage had been repaired except maybe look under the hood more often. Maybe you could try putting a bird feeder and suet feeder in your yard. We have both, and the squirrels and chipmunks are just as likely as the birds to dine there. The idea is to give the critters something more attractive to feast upon than wires in your engine compartment.
#19 of 132 Re: Starting Woes [jstant01] by scrappyd May 11, 2006 (6:53 am)
Replying to: jstant01 (May 10, 2006 5:26 am) Wow! Last week a speeder hit a grey cat and it crawled it's way to leave the land ending up under my 2 day old PV engine..My dad said cats and rodents will seek shelter of cars. I thought it was an urban myth! So after reading the last messages. I googled it since with all our rain and storms in TX we've had an increase of little critters around this area seeking under porch etc shelter. Here were 2 links I thought helpful -   http://www.dreamingearth.com/natural-pest-control.htm   Mouse Away provides all natural rodent control - made with our exclusive formula that combines pure Peppermint Oil with pure Spearmint Oil in just the right combination to provide maximum repellency. Mouse Away does not harm rodents (mice) at all - they simply hate the smell and move away ASAP. These Essential Oils of Peppermint and Spearmint smell so wonderful that it seems almost a shame to use them for chasing away mice and other rodents but, Mouse Away WORKS. Our friends who live in the high mountains had a terrible problem with mice eating the wiring harness in their car. They tried everything with no luck but, finally, they gave our Mouse Away a try. They just sprinkled it around under their hood and two days later - no more mice. Also, we've sold quite a bit to folks living in the Bronx - so it works on big city rodent problems too. We've had customers who use it in cars, campers, houses, basements, kitchens, warehouses, farms, barns, etc. (one farmer in Maine buys a 5 gal. pail each year). Note: don't get Mouse Away Concentrate or Mouse Away Spray on painted, varnished or other finished surfaces or on plastic.   http://www.sdreader.com/php/ma_show.php?id=266   [holds a home remedy note at the bottom - for the cars]   I was told moth balls help too..but since we live in a "bird protected area" we're not allowed to put them out...odd cause pest chemicals are okay.   I guess forewarned is forearmed!
#20 of 132 Vibe/Matrix Engines - Timing Belt or Chain? by cybersaurusrex Aug 13, 2006 (10:53 am)
Does anyone know if the Vibe/Matrix Engine Options have a Timing Belt or a Timing Chain or does it depend on which engine you have? I have attempted to extract this info from GM. They haven't responded yet.   I am assuming that a Timing Chain would last much longer than a Timing Belt, but I would hope this would start an interesting discussion. Replies to this message: mikey00 (Aug 13, 2006 4:45 pm)

Messages Page 2 of 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 14 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Wagons Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Pontiac Vibe Engine Questions