Daewoo Matiz: Common Problems and Repair Guide

Daewoo, a Korean automaker, entered the global market with ambitious plans. Despite this, Daewoo vehicles are still on the roads today typically due to their affordability and ease of use. However, they are not immune to issues. By being aware of common issues, Daewoo owners can adequately prepare and budget for maintenance and repairs over the lifespan of their vehicle, and keep an eye out for any potential problems before they become costly. By recognising the signs of trouble, drivers can take proactive steps to address problems before they become major issues.

The basic mechanics haven't changed too much since the days when the Matiz was a Daewoo. That car had reasonable reliability, and Daewoo finished in the top 10 out of 30 manufacturers in a recent What Car? reliability survey, which bodes well for anyone considering a Matiz.

Electrical System Problems and Ignition Issues

A recurring theme reported with Daewoo vehicles manifests in electrical problems, particularly concerning the ignition system and starting. Owners have reported situations where the engine turns over but won't start, or experiences intermittent cutting out.

No Spark or Weak Spark Diagnosis

Several owners have faced situations where their Matiz won't start due to a lack of spark. For instance, "I have an 01 Matiz. Engine over-heated so I bought a second hand engine and fitted it. Now it won't start; have fuel but no spark." Another owner noted, "I have a 99 Deawoo Matiz. I parked it up outside my house last night; I got in it at 2pm the next day and now it won't start. I have checked my oil and spark plugs and petrol; it turns over but won't start."

A common symptom is a weak or intermittent spark. "There is a spark, but its a weak one, and intermitant, looking on other forums, it could be a magnetic sensor that sends a signal to the coil?????????? At which point are you observing a weak spark?"

Troubleshooting a Weak Spark:

1. Initial Check: "Assuming the coil is separate pull the king lead out of the cap and holding it about 1/2" from the engine block crank the engine briefly."

2. King Lead: "If the spark is weak then look to substituting the king lead to see if that improves matters."

3. Coil and Supply: "If not suspect the coil, supply voltage and current."

4. Spark Plug End: "If the spark is strong but weak at the plug then substitute cap and rotor plus the leads if more than three years old."

5. Final Step: "If she still doesnt fire up come back to us." Always "fit original equipment parts."

Distributor and Immobilizer Malfunctions

The distributor is another common source of electrical issues leading to engine problems. "Hi there, I also had the problem with the intermittent stopping. Have a 800cc 2000 Daewoo Matiz SE. Was the distributor as well." In some cases, more than one component may fail concurrently: "Then 6 weeks ago engine light came on car cutting out, needed new distributor, and also new immobilizer, has been fine since."

A helpful tip for preventing distributor problems and ensuring proper engine start-up is: "The distributor problem is faced due to the fast start of engine. When you start your car's engine, wait till the check light goes off, then only start your engine; that light is provided to check whether the fuel pump, injectors, valves are working perfectly, & distributors checks all the above mentioned stuff, so be kind to start your car after the light goes off."

Engine Management Light (MIL) and Fuel System

The Engine Management Light (MIL) illuminating is a frequent concern for Matiz owners. "I have my 2004 Matiz from new. The main problem I encountered was the engine management light coming on." Often, this can be linked to sensor issues or fuel delivery. "After several visits to the dealers to gt it checked under warranty, and reset, a sensor was replaced."

A specific pattern related to the MIL and fuel levels has been observed: "I noticed a pattern to the light illuminating, and figured that as long as I didn't let my fuel gauge drop below half, then it doesn't illuminate. It is nearly 1.5 years since it last came on - I think there is a problem with the fuel outlet from the tank being too high, so if fuel levels drop below half, when you turn a left corner the fuel slops away from the outlet, air gets sucked in the fuel pipes, and engine management light illuminates. So, to preven engine light coming on, treat the half way mark as empty."

Severe MIL issues can lead to the car cutting out and losing power: "I have a 1999 Matiz, that cuts out after driving for a while, the engine MIL light comes on and it loses power and cuts out. It won't start for about an hour while the engine cools down."

Speedometer and Fuel Gauge Malfunctions

Instrumentation issues can also occur. "My daughter has a Matiz which had speedo problems. I've changed the speedo head which was easy. However the fuel gauge has stayed on showing half full. Do I need to reset this? If so, how."

Engine and Cooling System Issues

Problems with the engine, particularly the cooling system, are among the most frequently reported for the Daewoo Matiz.

Inlet Manifold Water Leaks

A notorious issue is the "dreaded manifold water leak problem," often due to the plastic manifold design. "I am an owner of a Matiz, year 2000. Have it for 4 years and the car has gone over 125000km without a glitch. Doing regular checkups, but all of a sudden the engine cooling liquid disappeared and the leak seems to be a big one as the water disappears in 10 min."

"Hi, I have a 2001 Matiz, and have just experienced the "dreaded manifold water leak problem". I wasn't sure what it was until reading comments on this board, but have found it really helpful." Another owner shared, "I've had my Daewoo Matiz (1999 model) for 3 years. Has been trusty so far until recently. Inlet Manifold has gone, water was pouring straight out and the water tank would empty in a few minutes. This forum has been very helpful, didn't realise it was so common."

This common problem, specifically "leakage of water in cooling system, that is due to the water channel in the manifold got completely damaged," can lead to further complications. "Due to this my original water pump got damaged completely. I installed a new water pump; after this no problems."

Repairs can be costly relative to the vehicle's value: "Have been told it's going to cost me around £350 to fix. Car only worth about £500. Not happy, but have had a good few years out of it." However, some owners have found resourceful temporary fixes: "Well my mechanic fixed it up with m seal; a mixture of sodium oxide & more. After that the water level didn't go down. This is common problem problem with the Matiz with its plastic manifold. This is the only flaw the car has."

Timing Belt Maintenance

Proper maintenance of the timing belt is critical for engine health. "It was vital the cambelt was changed after 40,000 miles, and it'd be a good idea to make sure this happens on the new one, too." When purchasing a used Matiz, "If you're buying a high-mileage car, check the service history to make sure this has been done."

Braking System and Suspension Issues

Safety-critical systems like brakes and suspension also require attention in the Daewoo Matiz.

Brake Problems

The braking system is crucial for safety, and some Daewoo models have had reported issues in this area over the years. "This includes problems such as “squeaking or grinding noises, soft or spongy pedals and uneven braking” to name a few." To mitigate these, "These issues usually required regular inspections to avoid, as well as the replacement of brake pads and rotors if an issue arose."

Suspension Knocking Noise

A less common but concerning issue reported by owners is unexplained knocking. "I have recently bought a Matiz and am having a problem. when I pull away or brake hard I hear I knocking noise from below the car. I have had it in two garages and no body can find out what is causing the noise."

Drivetrain and Exhaust

Concerns related to the transmission and exhaust system have also been noted by Matiz owners.

Clutch Problems

Some Matiz vehicles, particularly older models, have experienced clutch issues. "I have a 1999 Daewoo Matiz since May 2005, had clutch problems at first, but has been absolutley fine since." Gear changing can also be problematic: "I've always had problems with changing from first to second gear too."

Exhaust Pipe Rusting

Rusting exhaust pipes are a reported issue. "I have replaced 2 exhaust pipes due to rusting." Interestingly, one owner attributed this to the engine's efficiency: "This is due to the Matiz having a really high performance engine, which displaces drops of water. If the engine splits drops of water, that means your car engine is running more than perfect, giving you best mileage under tough conditions."

General Maintenance and Longevity Tips

Regular and diligent maintenance is key to keeping your Daewoo Matiz running smoothly and extending its lifespan. Adhering to a consistent service schedule can prevent many common problems from escalating.

As highlighted by experienced owners, certain maintenance practices are crucial:

• "Service your car's engine after every 5000 kms."
• "Change the fuel filter after every 20000 kms."
• "Clean your air filter after every 5000 kms & change it after 20000 kms."
• "Clean the injectors only when the performance has dropped, otherwise don't mess with the injectors."

A dedicated owner summarized their positive experience: "It gives me mileage more than 17 kmpl in the city & 22 on the highways. Stop criticizing this machine; you need to give a little care to it, & the rest it will do it for you. It has run 50700 kms & is still running perfectly. Mind, Daewoo has produced the best cars in the world."

tags: #daewoo #matiz #lokharito