Toyota Matrix - Check Engine Light

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A tech from work asked if I could tell him why his check engine light is on in his Toyota Matrix after talking with the receptionist who's car I fixed recently...

Sure no problem. I go outside and I hook up my dongle I keep in the van and it comes back with a ton of codes. I notice heavy carbon build up on the exhaust pipe and the body is in really poor condition.

Codes:
P0300 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire
P0301 - Cylinder 1 misfire
P0302 - Cylinder 2 misfire
P0304 - Cylinder 4 misfire
P0420 - Catalyst below efficiency

P0171 - System too lean (pending)
P0303 - Cylinder 3 misfire (pending)

Car idles well and revs up fine until 2,000 rpm and then it starts stumbling and the check engine light starts flashing at this point.

Looking at the car under the hood it looks like the car hasn't been touched in the 350,000km it has on it because of the salt and dust accumulated on everything.
I asked him when was the last time it had a tune-up and he says well I changed the oil in October and they didn't tell me it needed it then.

I asked at the dealership or some lube place? ... Lube place.

I said have you ever done a tune-up on this car and he said all he has done is change the oil since he bought it at around 150,000km.
I told him to get a tune-up done and a new serpentine belt because it was looking ugly and then we can figure out the codes after that if the light is still on.

Not to mention it hasn't had the transmission fluid changed since he got it either at it looked like motor oil.
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He asked me if his fuel economy would get better because he's only getting 300km (180 miles) out of a tank.
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Uh yeah, most likely...

Seriously... What is wrong with people. This guy is a service tech and performs maintenance on our machines and follows instruction manuals all day long but doesn't crack the cars owners manual? REALLY?

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03-08 Matrix? Check if the intake manifold gasket has been replaced with the updated orange one (you can see from the corners of the manifold). If not, replace the intake manifold gasket with the updated one. If trims are still off, confirm MAF functionality. If ok, it most likely needs 4 injectors.
 
I'm not doing anything but reading codes and telling him. Especially on a neglected car. Been down that road before....
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Like Critic said, intake manifold gasket leaks are pretty much guaranteed on 2003-2008 non "GT" models. Those typically lead to a lean code, but could certainly be triggering some of the codes listed above. We had a 2008 in the family from 2007 to 2015. It would throw an occasional lean code in extreme cold temps that would disappear quickly. I had planned on addressing the IMG on it, but it was eventually traded in on a Camry.
 
Originally Posted by WobblyElvis
Stay clear of this situation. Let him take it to a professional.
Remember....no good deed goes unpunished.

No worries... I'm not touching the vehicle. Like I've said, been there done that.
 
Originally Posted by JC1
I'm sure the throttle plate is in terrible shape as well as the idle control valve.


The 05-08 don't have an iacv since they went to dbw I recently found out when my mechanic removed the t-body for cleaning. It was pretty dirty even though I cleaned the one side of it the previous year. MAF sensor was clean but I cleaned it anyway. Replaced the IMG last year which made a nice difference during cold mornings. It would also run rough when cold and stopped at a light with the rpms fluctuating. The 03-04 should have the iacv. P0171 is for the IMG.

Just replacing the air filter, spark plugs, pcv valve, atf spill and fill, IMG, oil change may do wonders. But understand the hesitation to touch it. It's a reliable and simple platform with a little maintenance. I'd just recommend a good shop or two for the owners to check out. No one needs more headaches.
 
My daughter had a 2006 Matrix. It was a great little car with lots of storage that was simple to work on.
 
I had an '06 Matrix until last July, when a hit-and-run totaled it.
I changed the IMG preemptively when I saw the talk about it on the 'net.
It hadn't thrown a code, but it had a distorted spot I knew would eventually leak.
Originally Posted by StevieC
Car idles well and revs up fine until 2,000 rpm and then it starts stumbling and the check engine light starts flashing at this point.

I bet the plugs are down to nubs.
 
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