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Sedans Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm Chevrolet Prizm Vibration Issues
35 messages, Last post on Nov 03, 2009 at 6:39 PM
You are in the Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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SQUEAK: You're racking up the miles. I'm a tad behind you with my '95 prizm LSI at 152k. She's still running fine. Since May, I've bled the rear brakes (including the ABS hydrau. modulator)--no problems; it was easier than I thought. I've also replaced 4 qts of transm fluid, washed & waxed (new Prestone "total car care" is real ez to use), and ran a compression test. My results were: 220psi, 230psi, 231psi, and 233psi. Altho the #1 cylinder is a bit below the others, it's still within tolerance. Summary: Engine is still healthy! I reinstalled my platinum plugs with di-electric grease on the spark plug boots. My MPG is about 29-30 during winter, and 31-33 during the summer. Great mileage for a car over 8 yrs old. My next project is to bleed the front brakes and replace the front pads. Should be no problems (did it 3+yrs ago myself). JOHNMAR: Bummer to hear about your vibration problems with such a relatively young car. It's either suspension (doubtful), steering (maybe), or tires (probably). I'd rotate the tires to see if you get the same vibration. Tires are the cause of many "feel" problems with cars. Unusual for a young car to have brake/steering/suspension problems unless you really drive it hard and constantly go over killer potholes. Good luck in your diagnosis; I bet the cause is pretty basic. |
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| Did you have the vibration problem before you had your brakes serviced ? If the problem was not there before you had the brakes service it was probably something done at the shop. Check your lug nuts they might be loose or not torqued correctly. A friend of mine brought his truck in for service and they broke the stud off of the wheel when they over tightened a lug nut with a power tool. I have a 00 Prizm. Last week I had the brakes checked and they were only half worn at 58,000 miles. Most of my driving is parkway/suburban - not city. | |
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I have a 1995 Prizm Lsi w/ 89k miles. I have noticed that I feel some vibration while at idle throughout the car. It goes away mostly when I apply the gas but it is bothersome because the car is very nice otherwise. I have replaced plugs, wires, fuel filter, and air filter. I suspect it is the motor mounts. Has anyone replaced these and noticed a difference afterwards? Thanks!!
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Replying to: prizmlsi (Aug 11, 2004 7:36 am) |
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I have a 98 prizm with the 5 speed manual trans....Bought it 4 years ago with 40000 miles on it, no problems til this year. 60,00 miles replaced clutch. 65000 miles,replaced clutch again (warrantied so labor only). 70,000 miles it would clunk and engine or trans seemed to jump upon ignition and in reverse it made noise. Took it to mechanic, he said bad tranny mount. Talked to another mechanic who said there are no tranny mounts, just engine mounts? After a month the tranny mount came in, was installed, mechanic now says the vibration/noise that occurred only in reverse before is now worse and even does it in forward and while idling, and he suspects soem problem (not sure what yet) in either the trans or engine. Am I getting taken for a ride? I've used this mechanic for quite awhile and have no reason to distrust him. Any suggestions or ideas on what the problem might be?
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Replying to: ash2 (Nov 30, 2004 6:20 pm)
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Replying to: mcdawgg (Dec 01, 2004 6:27 am) |
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I just bought a used 1996 Geo Prizm with 120k miles, only to have the engine light go off after only a few days. Sometimes the light is steady, and sometimes it blinks. I will also mention that there is a small amount of some light colored smoke or steam that comes from the engine, especially when you open the hood after driving a while. Also, I noticed the radiator fluid is quite dirty and grey/green colored and did my best to clean out the hard thick grey goo at the bottom of the resevoir and to change as much of the fluid as I could using a syrige to remove the old fluid. Also, I had the oil changed and was told it was a quart and a half low. Finally, the car runs fine at speeds above 15mph, but when the car idles, it shakes like crazy, especially with the AC on. The belts also screech a little bit as well when I start the car. Does anyone have any advice what could be causing the engine light or the hard shaking when idleing?
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Replying to: jchallenger (Jan 13, 2006 2:25 pm) Jason
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Replying to: jchallenger (Jan 13, 2006 8:04 pm) Shaking at idle could be broken engine mount(s). Misfiring cylinder could be a bad plug, plug wire, or worse. Does it feel like it is skipping a beat all the time or is it intermittent? When does it feel like it is losing power? Does the temp gauge show anything unusual like never warming up or overheating? Oil in coolant or coolant in oil should be considered a sign of a catastrophic engine failure. It shuold be easy to tell once you change the coolant. This is a small 4 cyl car and I have driven one whose engine noise at idle resonated with plastic interior parts. The car ran fine once it was moving but the vibration at idle was very annoying. I'll check back here soon, so give me more details.
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