Ask the Car People.SM


Chevrolet Malibu

4972 messages,  Last post on Feb 09, 2013 at 10:37 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Malibu Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Malibu, Sedan

Messages Page 47 of 498

#453 of 4972 yurakm by aniazi

Mar 14, 2001 (12:26 pm)

Good to hear that you didn't get any big trouble with your 98 model. I think Malibu got the bad remarks mostly because of the brakes problem. According to the "2001 April Auto issue" of consumer reports, engine and transmission of malibu rated good to excellent in terms of reliability all along. Overall Malibu is now on Average reliability from worse since 1999 model year. I think thats a very good issue it also compares US, European, and Japanese makes in a form of a graph. According to that graph US auto makers made the greatest improvement compared to 1980 cars but they are still the ones who needs the most improvements. I think US automakers need to pay more attention in refinement then rolling out new models with new name and problem remains same.
I consider Malibu different among the Chevy and other US cars and thats why I liked it. My 2001 runs very smooth, and I liked it very much. It was a so much good deal for me over Accord. If I didn't get brake problem I would be extremely happy then and that will put more confident in US makes.

#454 of 4972 Little Bit of Everything by geomalibu

Mar 18, 2001 (11:48 am)

To yurakm:
 
My wife has mentioned using an anti-static spray on the seats, but I put it off. Thought it would be crazy to have to spray the seats all the time. I am not one for using the static free dryer sheets, but I think it may be time to give it a try. Also thanks for the insight of tire air pressure.
 
My apologizes to VOCUS not focus
 
To paesano:
Besides the occasional shocks, We are vary pleased with our car. No problems like the brakes, knocks, pistons, a, etc... And I don't know about "a brake in period" with one gas mileage and then it increasing. We have over 4000 miles on our 01Malibu AS, and every time I fill up, it is at 20mpg.
 
? To the people with Piston/Ticking noise. I live in Florida where it does not get very cold. If you are having this problem and live in the north, has anyone mentioned maybe the oil not getting pumped through the engine properly for those first 5/10 minutes of running allowing it to warm up and thin the oil.!!

#455 of 4972 '97 malibu whooping noise when braking by rae08512

Mar 20, 2001 (3:29 pm)

Hi,
Can someone help me? Have a whooping noise on front right passenger side when the brakes are applied and malibu starts to slow down. Before we got new brakes we noticed a faint sound when we turned corners. Took it Midas they said it was the wheel bearings. After Midas looked at it today, it sounds louder.(coincidental?) The brakes are about 1mo old. We have 56,000 miles on it. Any suggestions..... Thank you

#457 of 4972 '98 Malibu 4cyl by manyjob

Mar 20, 2001 (3:55 pm)

Wow!! $400 for a brake job? I just had the fronts done on my '98 at 51,900, plus had the rears cleaned and adjusted, and it was $265 at the dealer. It seems that I bypassed the rotor problem to this point. The Affinity tires are still in good shape as well. I bought this one in August 1999 with 24,000 on it and have had almost no problem with it. It was an early build, went "in service" September 1997. The only repairs other than normal maintenance were to the rear stabilizer links and a leaking rear wheel cylinder, both covered under warranty. Very satisfied to this point with the Malibu.

#458 of 4972 Considering SmartBuy by bluwood

Mar 21, 2001 (7:14 am)

I have a '98 LS and have been happy with it. I paid $300 per month with nothing down thru a SmartBuy. I am starting to shop again & finding dealers wanting $370 & up per month. Considering the recent track record of the car (mine has been fine), I'm surprised by this. Can anyone offer any insight into what you've heard people are paying for the 2001 models?

#459 of 4972 Upcoming trip to the dealer by njdevilsrn

Mar 23, 2001 (1:14 pm)

The 2000 Malibu is on its way to the dealer this coming Tuesday. Time for the 9000 mile service (the thing is one year old...my fiance drives nowhere).
 
I'm gonna have them look at the slapping/tapping of the engine. I told them it's on cold starts, and I told them how I think it may be a problem with a piston (let's see what they come up with)
 
That and the wind coming through the speakers when the windows are down.
 
I'll let you all know how it goes!

#460 of 4972 New Rotors on my 99 Malibu by skipper8

Mar 24, 2001 (6:33 am)

My Malibu had just under 36,000 miles.. and I noticed that the brakes were grabbing when I applied them It was most noticeable at slower speeds. My wife really noticed it... and pointed it out to me. Me being the primary driver.. got used to the slight grabbing. Anyway... took it to the dealer with 35,977 miles... and they replaced the rotors. They said the rotors were worn (they didn't use the term warped).. and replaced them under the warranty. They also cleaned and adjusted the back brakes. They charged about 30 bucks for that.
 
The service person said they had "upgraded" the rotors. I said.. you mean a better quality and the originals were "cheap"??.. she just looked at me.
 
Still have about 65% on the pad so they didn't replace those..
 
I had also mentioned the "ticking" noise in the engine. I wanted to get that into their records before the warranty ran out. They said that was "normal" for this engine.. the 3.1 "6". The service showed me a bulletin from GM saying that they have not found the noise to be a problem in the engine.
 
I guess time will tell on the ticking noise.

#461 of 4972 Piston Noise by malibu52

Mar 24, 2001 (5:29 pm)

I want to thank will125 for the very accurate information regarding this problem with the 3.1 engine and the TSB issued to deal with it. To make a long story short with this information and other research I was finally able to get this problem corrected. With out that information or the internet clubs and forums I fear there would be many of us still trying to get to the bottom of this unfortunate problem on our own. Many thanks will125 and after all pistons, bearings and rings replaced by certified dealer (and there is a difference) no problems so far and a pleasantly quiet nice performing engine.

#462 of 4972 Pistons by dhflying1

Mar 24, 2001 (6:13 pm)

I had to have the pistons replaced in my vehicle after 12,000. I had a ticking noise at start up for about the first two minutes of operation. After the replacement I have had no noise. Just concerned for the folks that are being told this is normal for the 3.1. It is not normal and is not due to cold oil. If you have a 3.1 that is ticking you had better get it to a dealer that knows what is going on with this engine. I have had no problems since rebuild.

Messages Page 47 of 498

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement