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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
#488 of 4972 by gearhead4
Apr 16, 2001 (2:30 pm)
Re: Rotor ProblemsI purchased my 2001 Malibu in February. I have experienced no problems yet. I had my brother inspect the car yesterday. He is a mechanic with 20 years of experience on Chevys. He says everything looks good so far.
He has heard of problems with intake manifold gaskets and the rotors.
He has replaced rotors with the GM supplied parts, because he was working at a GM dealer.
But I have heard that the best bet is to replace the rotors with after market parts from other suppliers like Bendix. They are less expensive and last much longer. I have replaced rotors on my last two cars. I do the work myself because the job is simple and it takes less time than driving to the dealer and waiting around for them to get to it.
On the subject of being hard on brakes, the dealer mechanics sometimes are making accurate observations. Every day I see people abusing their automobiles. While the complaints about inferior products may be legitimate, give some consideration to the possibility that the problem may be the way the vehicle is operated.
gearhead4
#489 of 4972 by njdevilsrn
Apr 16, 2001 (10:59 pm)
I dropped my Malibu at the dealer today. Because I could not get an honest answer out of my dealer or the Chevy Customer (dis)Service 1-800 number, I took note of the TSB on the service desk while the writer took my info.It listed the vehicles involved on the bulletin (the Buick Century and 1 or 2 other cars were listed in addition to the Malibu). It states the piston slapping noise is very similar in sound to that of a valve tap. However, if proven on engine diagnostics that it is the pistons, the problem is believed to be caused by "excessive piston bore". The repair involves replacing the pistons and the associated hardware.
While I am not mechanically inclined, I wish that someone at Dayton Chevrolet from the service writer to the service manager, and the Chevy Customer Service rep would have had the integrity to tell me what exactly was wrong with my car. After all, I paid $16000 for it, didn't I? I'm gonna call my neighborhood mechanic tomorrow to find out exactly how damaging (if at all) this problem is to the structural integrity of the engine.
Anyone with any knowledge, I would appreciate a response. And to all of you who are blissfully ignorant as to your "valve tap" noise, my complaints about this SAME noise to the dealer this past fall was mis-diagnosed as valve tap.
#490 of 4972 cold knock by malibu52
Apr 17, 2001 (7:28 pm)
njdevilsrn, Had my 2000 repaired roughly a month ago. Since then no knock or other problems, still getting 28.9 highway and a little town driving which isn't bad for it's rating. I did not buy from a certified dealer and when I discovered this problem and that there was a way of fixing it I got the run around from that dealer. With help from this site and another club I joined I got the information I needed and they finally admitted it could be fixed but they couldn't fix it. I contacted through the Chevrolet web site and the contact us link a rep. to refer me to a dealer in my area that could fix the engine. I did get help locating a dealer and from that point on received what I consider to be courteous professional service. A rental vehicle is covered by your warranty. After 2 months of aggravation in 4 days the problem was corrected by a good certified dealers service department.I totally agree they should be more forth coming about the problem because as someone said the wouldn't tear an engine down for just a noise. Good luck with yours.
#491 of 4972 MPG & Rotor problems by japd
Apr 18, 2001 (11:16 am)
I bought my new LS nearly two weeks ago and I'm not a happy camper. The night I drove off the lot (Fri. 4/6/01) I experienced a forceful vibration in the steering and I could smell the brakes burning. I returned the car on Mon 4/9 because the service department was closed during the weekend. The problem: warped rotors and brake pads which were replaced. The same evening the car was returned to me, I had the problem again. I chose to drive the car a few extra days to see if it would occur again. Not to my surprise it did again on Sun 4/15. Also, I have noticed that at times, the car would not move when trying to accelerate from a complete stop-(like the brakes were stuck), but when I lifted the brake pedal with my foot the car would roll. Sometimes the brakes would feel stiff when trying to stop. So off we go again today 4/18 to the dealer.As well, can anybody tell me why I'm only getting around 14 to 15 mpg in the city? On the highway, I got great mileage. Could this be related to my rotor/brake problem? Please email me
2253255368airmessage.net with any info.
#492 of 4972 1998 Malibu 1,000 mile + Trip Prep by ferraro1
Apr 18, 2001 (8:52 pm)
Hello~I am an owner of a 1998 bought the car New in early 1998, I am getting ready to drive the car over 1,000 miles to upstate New York for the summer (I live in Little Rock)and I need to know what to get changed/replaced/checked etc... on the car , ANYTHING no matter the cost I want all problems fixed on the car and ones that may lie in the future to just get fixed now. The car has 41,000 on it. the first noticeable issue occurs when I brake on the highway
60-70 mph the car will shake WHAT is that? I might want to get new brakes for this long Trek,I have been looking at all the posts and I see that the rotors are a big problem is that what that is ? Also what is this "Ticking" noise people have been talking about ? I hear a ticking when I am in reverse turning the wheel , what might that be, I have just gotten used to it but I want to know if that is a problem and I want to get it fixed and if not I just want tot know what is the noise. If the braking problem is not the rotors how do I tell that they need replacing ? OK thanks everyone anyone that can help it would be GREATLY Appreciated !!! Happy Malibu Owner,
Paul
#493 of 4972 1998 Malibu 1,000 mile + Trip Prep by skipper8
Apr 18, 2001 (9:02 pm)
Sounds like a "brakes" problem to me. The shaking sounds like the rotors could be warped. Have you even changed the front pads and had the rotors "turned" (where the surface is planed to get rid of scratches? If not...you might be over due. There is a "squeaking" sound that occurs in the pad to alert you that the pads are at a "thin" condition. Not sure about the ticking when backing in reverse. Have them check that out when you take the car in for the brake check.#494 of 4972 RE~1998 Malibu TripPrep by ferraro1
Apr 18, 2001 (9:08 pm)
No~I have had Nothing done to the car in that area (brakes) I bet
41,000 miles the car might need new brakes , and i bet i have the roter problem I think i will get new everything (Brakes, Rotors) and if you can think of anything that would need checking/replacing on a 1998 please advise cuz I really dont wanna deal with major problems so far away from home once again thanks . Paul
#495 of 4972 ferraro1: 1998 Malibu 1,000 mile + Trip Prep by yurakm
Apr 19, 2001 (12:24 am)
1. It looks as the brake rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Most probably, the pads too.Replacing brakes costs about $400 at dealer, but much less with aftermarket parts at independent shops. Some aftermarket rotors and pads (Raybestos?) have better reputation than the genuine GM, and are backed by warranty.
2. How good are your tires?
I had to replace the original Affinity at about 37k miles. Bought a set of Firehawk SH-30. About $350 at local Firestone, including installation, alignment, and road hazard warranty.
Great tires, especially on wet pavement / rain. Head and shoulders better than the original ones.
3. What engine do you have? 4 cylinder or V-6?
The 3.1l V-6 engine is prone to coolant leak through the intake manifold gasket. If you are adding the coolant, I'd suggest to pressure-check the coolant system. The test is cheap - about $25-30. The repair is not cheap, though.
4. Did your car have the 30k mile service? The state of the brakes suggests that possibly not.
Mechanic checks, cleans, and/or replaces air filter, gas filter, fuel injectors, serpentine belt, hoses, transmission liquid, brakes, etc. May cost up to $300-$500, depending on what needs to be replaced. This is expensive, but useful. Does pay in better reliability, safety, lower gas consumption...
5. Simple thing: check the brake / signal lights. The Malibu brake lights have two bulbs, and continue to work after one of them burned out. Better to check that the both bulbs work.
#496 of 4972 Brakes sticking on 2001 by dizard
Apr 19, 2001 (12:39 pm)
We have a 2001 Malibu LS - been back for service 3 times. The front brakes seem to be sticking to the point that they smoke and the whole front of the car shakes - (as the rotors warp?). Milage is only 1,200 miles!We are afraid to take the car for any trips over
10 miles . . . which is about when the shaking starts. There is
black brake dust ALL over the wheel hubs!
#497 of 4972 RE: Brakes sticking on 2001 by florin
Apr 19, 2001 (1:36 pm)
>>We have a 2001 Malibu LS - been back for service 3 times. The front brakes seem to be sticking to
the point that they smoke and the whole front of the car shakes - (as the rotors warp?). Milage is only 1,200 miles!
<<
One more unsuccessful repair and it's officialy
a lemon (at least in some states).
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