Daox's 2003 Matrix Build Thread

[Daox]

As long as I keep my oil change intervals short, I could go on almost forever since its such a small leak. However, I am thinking about getting rid of the car, and I don't want to sell it with a known problem like that.

[itsmedc]

Did you ever put in a way to more accurately check the coolant temperture?
I am asking because the combination of a factory calibrated gauge plus extensive grill blocking can result in an overheating engine without you knowing it. An engine running near boiling temp, especially on aluminum, equals leaky gaskets. While Toyota generally makes a high quality product I know the intake gaskets on many GM cars from the 1990's were only good for a bit over 100,000 miles before they give trouble. I speak from personal experience on that point.

[Daox]

Of course. I ran a scangauge in the car that gives me a digital readout of the engine temperature. It never went above 185F.

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Hmmm, I wonder if I am having a similar problem on my matrix. At around 100k the mileage really dropped from the mid 30's to the mid 20's. Thought it was o2 sensors but the car wasn't throwing any codes. Took it to a mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. I kind of beat on my cars (ok, I beat on them). and the matrix definitely does not have the power that it used to have. I've got 120k on it right now. The MPG mystery is the number one reason I'm not going to go all out on efficiency mods for this car. Let me know what you find out!

[Daox]

Well, I'm no longer driving the Matrix since I got the Prius. I did get the oil problem all sorted when I changed from mobil1 to penzoil synthetic.