Matrix owner questions...

Hello all!

I own an 04 Toyota Matrix XRS with 51,000 miles on it. I'm the original
owner. This is the first Toyota I've ever owned and will probably own
more in the future. I'm really impressed with this car.

But lately, the engine's been doing something interesting when I
accelerate. The engine seems to accelerate normally. But if I press
too hard on the accelerator, the engine seems to 'race' up about 250
RPMs more and then return to where I started. It's a little hard to
explain.

I don't know if Toyota engines normally do this. It's due for an oil
change and I'm taking care of that this weekend. I was waiting to get
the car to 60k and return to dealership for its maintenance checkup and
inspection.

Other than this, the car still feels like a sports car.

Any suggestions?

thanks,

-Alex

sounds like the transmission is kicking out of overdrive or going into
the next lower gear. both or normal.

"nightrider.36" <alex.cordero@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169737395.372411.230150@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello all!
>
> I own an 04 Toyota Matrix XRS with 51,000 miles on it. I'm the original
> owner. This is the first Toyota I've ever owned and will probably own
> more in the future. I'm really impressed with this car.
>
> But lately, the engine's been doing something interesting when I
> accelerate. The engine seems to accelerate normally. But if I press
> too hard on the accelerator, the engine seems to 'race' up about 250
> RPMs more and then return to where I started. It's a little hard to
> explain.
>
> I don't know if Toyota engines normally do this. It's due for an oil
> change and I'm taking care of that this weekend. I was waiting to get
> the car to 60k and return to dealership for its maintenance checkup and
> inspection.
>
> Other than this, the car still feels like a sports car.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> thanks,
>
> -Alex
>[/color]

It is difficult to say what the cause is without actually experiencing the
condition. A slipping clutch will generally get worse, and the engine will
not return to normal RPM without backing off of the throttle.

Check the engine air filter to make sure it is not clogged. Check the black
plastic intake tube between the air filter and throttle body for cracks or
holes. Carefully remove the MAF sensor at the air filter housing outlet and
take a look at the wire inside the tube that sticks into the air flow. The
wire should be clean - if it is coated with dirt, clean it with carb cleaner
or rubbing alcohol. Be very careful not to break the wire or you will be
looking to spend several hundred $ for a new sensor.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:02:12 -0800, nightrider.36 wrote:
[color=blue]
> My XRS is a six speed. At one point, the engine did race without an
> increase in power. Initially, I thought the clutch might be the problem
> as well. But I'm really careful with the clutch, or at least I thought I
> thought I was being careful with it.
>
> The way I shift is that I only press and release the clutch to shift (not
> trying to be redundant). I almost never downshift. Instead, I place the
> gear in neutral and coast in with the philosophy that replacing my brake
> would be cheaper than replacing the clutch.
>
> Admitedly, I do race the engine from a stop into first gear. I do this
> accidentaly as the accelerator is very sensitive.
>
> What other warning signs should I look for if the clutch is slipping? Or
> if my car needs a new clutch?
>
> I thought clutches on a Toyota lasted much longer than 50k miles. Unless
> the way I'm driving is damaging.
>
> -alex[/color]


Live near any big hills? Esp on an Interstate. Go up the hill as normal,
and press your foot on the gas to keep up speed, in 4th gear. If the tach
starts climbing with no increase (or a decrease) in speed, then your
clutch is most likely on the way out. Or, on a straight level in third
gear, press your foot on the clutch slowly and make a note on the rtach
when it starts to climb. If it's less than 3-4 inches, there's something
going on.

It may also that the cylinders (master and slave) need bleeding.
Also, check what Ray O said. These can be done by yourself in the comfort
of your own garage!

I tested my car as you suggested and this is what I noticed. It seems
to only lose power as I previously described earl in the morning, when
the car is cold. Lately, down here in Southern California, the
mornings have been between 45 - 50 deg. Not that cold but cold enough
for a sitting engine.

Once thr engine is warmed up, I don't notice a decrease in power as I
described.
[color=blue][color=green]
> > -alexLive near any big hills? Esp on an Interstate. Go up the hill as normal,[/color]
> and press your foot on the gas to keep up speed, in 4th gear. If the tach
> starts climbing with no increase (or a decrease) in speed, then your
> clutch is most likely on the way out. Or, on a straight level in third
> gear, press your foot on the clutch slowly and make a note on the rtach
> when it starts to climb. If it's less than 3-4 inches, there's something
> going on.
>
> It may also that the cylinders (master and slave) need bleeding.
> Also, check what Ray O said. These can be done by yourself in the comfort
> of your own garage!- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -[/color]

"nightrider.36" <alex.cordero@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169844294.254340.241740@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>I tested my car as you suggested and this is what I noticed. It seems
> to only lose power as I previously described earl in the morning, when
> the car is cold. Lately, down here in Southern California, the
> mornings have been between 45 - 50 deg. Not that cold but cold enough
> for a sitting engine.
>
> Once thr engine is warmed up, I don't notice a decrease in power as I
> described.
>[/color]

After re-reading your first post and this one, it does not sound like a
clutch problem because clutch problems are not temperature related.

I'll stick with what I recommended before:

Check the engine air filter to make sure it is not clogged.
Check the black plastic intake tube between the air filter and throttle body
for cracks or
holes.
Carefully remove the MAF sensor at the air filter housing outlet and
take a look at the wire inside the tube that sticks into the air flow. The
wire should be clean - if it is coated with dirt, clean it with carb cleaner
or rubbing alcohol. Be very careful not to break the wire or you will be
looking to spend several hundred $ for a new sensor.

I understand why you think 45 ~ 50 degrees is cold. When I moved from
Chicago to San Francisco, I used to think that the people wearing down
jackets, hats, and gloves when the temperature went down to 60 were wimps,
since that is still T-shirt and shorts weather to a Chicagoan. After about
a year, I had become acclimated to the nice California weather and joined
the ranks of wimps wearing winter jackets when the temps dipped into the
60's.

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

cold... About two years ago, I visited my in-laws in Green Bay
Wisconsin. I was raised in Southern Ca. That was a new kind of cold for
me - *bitter*. I now have respect for GB Packer fans.

thanks for the tips. I'll try not to destroy my engine. I keep wanting
to sell my XRS and then I change my mind when I drive out around. I
really, really like this little car.


On Jan 26, 1:00 pm, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:[color=blue]
> "nightrider.36" <alex.cord...@gmail.com> wrote in messagenews:1169844294.254340.241740@l53g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>[color=green]
> >I tested my car as you suggested and this is what I noticed. It seems
> > to only lose power as I previously described earl in the morning, when
> > the car is cold. Lately, down here in Southern California, the
> > mornings have been between 45 - 50 deg. Not that cold but cold enough
> > for a sitting engine.[/color]
>[color=green]
> > Once thr engine is warmed up, I don't notice a decrease in power as I
> > described.After re-reading your first post and this one, it does not sound like a[/color]
> clutch problem because clutch problems are not temperature related.
>
> I'll stick with what I recommended before:
>
> Check the engine air filter to make sure it is not clogged.
> Check the black plastic intake tube between the air filter and throttle body
> for cracks or
> holes.
> Carefully remove the MAF sensor at the air filter housing outlet and
> take a look at the wire inside the tube that sticks into the air flow. The
> wire should be clean - if it is coated with dirt, clean it with carb cleaner
> or rubbing alcohol. Be very careful not to break the wire or you will be
> looking to spend several hundred $ for a new sensor.
>
> I understand why you think 45 ~ 50 degrees is cold. When I moved from
> Chicago to San Francisco, I used to think that the people wearing down
> jackets, hats, and gloves when the temperature went down to 60 were wimps,
> since that is still T-shirt and shorts weather to a Chicagoan. After about
> a year, I had become acclimated to the nice California weather and joined
> the ranks of wimps wearing winter jackets when the temps dipped into the
> 60's.
>
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)[/color]

"nightrider.36" <alex.cordero@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169855370.967937.146100@v33g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> cold... About two years ago, I visited my in-laws in Green Bay
> Wisconsin. I was raised in Southern Ca. That was a new kind of cold for
> me - *bitter*. I now have respect for GB Packer fans.[/color]

Green Bay does get a tad chilly ;-)[color=blue]
>
> thanks for the tips. I'll try not to destroy my engine. I keep wanting
> to sell my XRS and then I change my mind when I drive out around. I
> really, really like this little car.
>[/color]

Let us know what you find.


--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)