Did I get the only lemon Echo??

[e50e]

I bought a 2002 Echo in 2003 after doing all the research I could to ensure I was purchasing a car that would last me for a very long time with minimal hassle and great gas mileage. I had two problem cars before and I couldn't afford to go through it again!

I LOVE my Echo. I have had it almost nine years now and have driven it everywhere BUT, I've had so much trouble with it. I am jealous when I see those for sale in perfect mechanical condition with over 200,000 miles on them. So often you read owners who say they've only need to do routine maintenance.

So what is up with mine? Did I get the only lemon?

Here is the list of repairs I've had to date:

• TWO Alternators

• Water Pump replacement (obviously something very wrong with the belt tension ruining the alternator and water pump repeatedly)

• 2 Wheel bearings

• Fuel injector

• Starter

• Have had clutch issues/clutch out of alignment

• Exhaust leak (this is the newest problem!)

This is on top of all of the regular maintenance I have had done including brakes, spark plugs, tires, battery, oil changes, etc.

I try to stay positive and rationalize that all of the money I've spent on repairs probably equals the money I've saved on gas....but this is a long list that began at 75,000 miles. I'm now at 133,000. Is there anyone else out there who can empathize? Have you had similar trouble with your Echo? I want the thing to last me another 100,000 miles and I don't want another car. Am I crazy? Does my Echo have a chance?...or deserve the chance with these costly repairs (Echo parts are VERY expensive, including $500 each time for the alternator)?

I'm really bummed. This exhaust problem now could be costly. It seems I have two major repairs a year now.

Thanks in advance for your response!

[zythr]

Originally Posted by e50e

I bought a 2002 Echo in 2003 after doing all the research I could to ensure I was purchasing a car that would last me for a very long time with minimal hassle and great gas mileage. I had two problem cars before and I couldn't afford to go through it again!

I LOVE my Echo. I have had it almost nine years now and have driven it everywhere BUT, I've had so much trouble with it. I am jealous when I see those for sale in perfect mechanical condition with over 200,000 miles on them. So often you read owners who say they've only need to do routine maintenance.

So what is up with mine? Did I get the only lemon?

Here is the list of repairs I've had to date:

• TWO Alternators

• Water Pump replacement (obviously something very wrong with the belt tension ruining the alternator and water pump repeatedly)

• 2 Wheel bearings

• Fuel injector

• Starter

• Have had clutch issues/clutch out of alignment

• Exhaust leak (this is the newest problem!)

This is on top of all of the regular maintenance I have had done including brakes, spark plugs, tires, battery, oil changes, etc.

I try to stay positive and rationalize that all of the money I've spent on repairs probably equals the money I've saved on gas....but this is a long list that began at 75,000 miles. I'm now at 133,000. Is there anyone else out there who can empathize? Have you had similar trouble with your Echo? I want the thing to last me another 100,000 miles and I don't want another car. Am I crazy? Does my Echo have a chance?...or deserve the chance with these costly repairs (Echo parts are VERY expensive, including $500 each time for the alternator)?

I'm really bummed. This exhaust problem now could be costly. It seems I have two major repairs a year now.

Thanks in advance for your response!

Where are you taking it to get repaired? There have been very few issues with the Echo. Granted you could have bought a more problematic one, or whoever you're taking it to for repairs could be "hosing" you.

[e50e]

Nah, definitely don't think I've been made to have any unnecessary repairs. Prior to every repair the symptoms have been diagnosed through pretty thorough research on my own and from a once over from my dad who is a quite competent mechanic, but has less and less time to do all of the repairs himself. In some cases repairs were diagnosed from me hooking up my car myself and checking codes (i.e. fuel injector).

The wheel bearings were definitely bad, the water pump was on its way out and kept working much longer than it should have based on its condition, the two alternators' bearings were ruined (this is probably the fault of a mechanic over tightening the belt, however), and the starter's wires were bad when examined. Everything checks out as needing repaired legitimately.

I'm going to get a tension gauge and a new belt as preventative maintenance tomorrow and going to have the exhaust leak estimated for repair tomorrow. The leak was already diagnosed/located at home.

I have driven this thing on 10-to-15-hour-long trips many, many times a year and overall it still feels really reliable. Do I simply work it harder than others too perhaps so I'm seeing more wear? I'm just frustrated because this thing should and needs to last me quite a while still---and plus, I'll never find as great of a car as the Echo! Thoughts?

[zythr]

Originally Posted by e50e

Nah, definitely don't think I've been made to have any unnecessary repairs. Prior to every repair the symptoms have been diagnosed through pretty thorough research on my own and from a once over from my dad who is a quite competent mechanic, but has less and less time to do all of the repairs himself. In some cases repairs were diagnosed from me hooking up my car myself and checking codes (i.e. fuel injector).

The wheel bearings were definitely bad, the water pump was on its way out and kept working much longer than it should have based on its condition, the two alternators' bearings were ruined (this is probably the fault of a mechanic over tightening the belt, however), and the starter's wires were bad when examined. Everything checks out as needing repaired legitimately.

I'm going to get a tension gauge and a new belt as preventative maintenance tomorrow and going to have the exhaust leak estimated for repair tomorrow. The leak was already diagnosed/located at home.

I have driven this thing on 10-to-15-hour-long trips many, many times a year and overall it still feels really reliable. Do I simply work it harder than others too perhaps so I'm seeing more wear? I'm just frustrated because this thing should and needs to last me quite a while still---and plus, I'll never find as great of a car as the Echo! Thoughts?

I see. You could be putting more wear on it than the average Echo owner. Speaking of which there is one on here ECHOknight2000, I believe his username on here is, You may want to Private Message him and see what he thinks. He also owns an Echo as his sig states. (tell him zythr sent you:}

[ericlp]

• TWO Alternators

• Water Pump replacement (obviously something very wrong with the belt tension ruining the alternator and water pump repeatedly)

Well, you yourself said belt tension, have you replaced the belts? If you replace the belts it's suggested you replace the belt tensioner as well. So some of those problems could have been eliminated.

• 2 Wheel bearings (common problem) and easy to fix

• Fuel injector (try injector cleaner added to the gas from tank to tank) cheap fix

• Starter (can go out any time)

• Have had clutch issues/clutch out of alignment

• Exhaust leak (this is the newest problem!)

I look at it this way. Take the millage you put on the car normal wear and tear and gas is about 40 cents a mile. Since you like the echo that's a big plus, and if it's getting you 40 miles per gallon that is a huge savings right there. ALL CARS need maintenance. It's the way it is. I'm not sure where you are buying your parts but alternators / starters should cost no more than 100 bucks and easy to replace the alternator yourself! Plus if you buy it from Napa or autoparts they have a lifetime on the part for as long as you own the car. Water pump and starter might be a bit more difficult to replace because you gotta crawl under the car but still if you do the work yourself for 500 hundred bucks you can replace all three plus your wheel bearings and brakes if you do the work yourself!



Enjoy your echo!