- #4 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [mandi77]
by candie
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Jun 22, 2005 (7:25 am)
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Replying to: mandi77 (Jun 21, 2005 11:01 am)
Hi Mandy: I have the same car, '95 Chevy Cavalier purchased 6 months ago. I too am now having the head gasket replaced. So far I've had the crank shaft replaced, the compressor, the idler tensioner (3x) the serpentine belt (3x), new battery, new muffler, new tires, new spark plugs, later new spark plug wires, the list goes on and on. I feel in love with the "looks" of the car, which outwardly is in excellent shape, but I am wondering if this car isn't just a piece of "junk". I've been told on auto chats that they call the Cavalier a Cadaver or "a disposable vehicle." I so didn't want to believe it, but some $2,400 later, I'd be an idiot not to see that the quality of this car is way below others. Mine has only 28,800 miles on it, so I never expected all of this. I'll let you know how long the "head gasket" lasts once its installed, if more than once, we will KNOW for certain its a problem with our particular model. To answer your question: I don't think its normal, not for any car to keep needing parts replaced so quickly.
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- #5 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [candie]
by joe3891
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Jun 22, 2005 (9:01 am)
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Replying to: candie (Jun 22, 2005 7:25 am)
I hate to say this but you have to be a DIY with a big tool box to own a Cavalier. I have had a 85, 92, 94 and a 2000, I now own a 04 Malibu. 
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- #6 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [joe3891]
by mdaffron
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Jun 22, 2005 (9:44 am)
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Replying to: joe3891 (Jun 22, 2005 9:01 am)
Just curious why you bought another Chevrolet product after a comment like that?
Meade
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- #7 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [mdaffron]
by pat HOST
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Jun 22, 2005 (9:51 am)
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Replying to: mdaffron (Jun 22, 2005 9:44 am)
This is the wrong place to get into why he bought a Malibu. We're talking about the Cavalier, as you know. Thanks.
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- #8 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [joe3891]
by candie
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Jun 22, 2005 (10:38 am)
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Replying to: joe3891 (Jun 22, 2005 9:01 am)
I too am wondering if I am such a DYI why you continued to buy Cavaliers after 1992? BTW, what is a DYI?
For the record, I purchased the '95 Cavalier because it was all I could afford. The car looked well taken care of, had exceptionally low mileage; I ran a carfax on it, and believe I did everything possible to assure myself that this was a "good little vehicle for me." I had no idea that the car had gasket and all of the other problems because I had my mechaniccheck it out (who until then I trusted) tell me it was a "great" little car, buy it! Some of us can't just purchase a vehicle and "run" either. Nice thought but I'm not one who can.
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- #9 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [mdaffron]
by joe3891
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Jun 24, 2005 (8:22 am)
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Replying to: mdaffron (Jun 22, 2005 9:44 am)
The Cavalier is a to be kind a cheap car, the 04 Malibu is not a cheap car. As far as a Cavalier goes I did not put a lot of money into any of them but the 2000 was the worst of the bunch. Before 40 K heater blower resistor and valve cover gasket, had to put neither on my 94 that went to 120 K before trading. The 2000 got totaled, nobody injured so I was actually glad. If not for the accident I would probably still have it. I still have my large tool box for the Malibu when its gets off warranty. You can operate any car cheap if you do most all your own work.
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- #10 of 58
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Re: Head Gasket problems..... [candie]
by joe3891
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Jun 24, 2005 (8:38 am)
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Replying to: candie (Jun 22, 2005 10:38 am)
OK I will set the record straight. I bought [ 4 ] Cavaliers because they are a simple car, easy to work on, parts are cheap. I am thrifty , so that’s why I bought 4. Here’s an example the 94 had a head gasket leak at 80 K, I replace the head gasket for a total cost of $15, plus an oil an filter change. When I traded it 40K later it was still not leaking, but you got be a DIY, actually I am also an ex Tech. I wanted the Malibu because it was cheap and loaded, hard to sell a first year model, sorry Host.
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- #11 of 58
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97 Cavalier-Head gasket leak?
by murphy15
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Jul 07, 2005 (12:42 pm)
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I'm purchasing a used Cavalier (4 cylinder) for my daughter to use while attending Grad School this fall. It seems to be in excellent shape with one flaw noone, so far, can diagnose. Once the engine is at operating temp., the coolant seeps back into the overflow/recovery bottle, rises slowly and dribbles out past the cap. It eventually drips down the inside fender well and onto the ground.
One shop sez its the head gasket. Another sez its not the head gasket but he's uncertain what is wrong. Anyone else run into this problem? Thanks.
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- #12 of 58
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Re: 97 Cavalier-Head gasket leak? [murphy15]
by joe3891
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Jul 08, 2005 (8:21 am)
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Replying to: murphy15 (Jul 07, 2005 12:42 pm)
My guess would be cracked head, you overheat that engine only once bad and it will crack the head every time. The only head gasket leak that I ever seen on that engine is external, at both ends, will show coolant stain. 
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- #13 of 58
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Chevy Cavalier 1996 - Overheating Problem...!
by oscorp
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Nov 11, 2005 (10:54 am)
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Hi,
I have a 96 chevy cavalier with 173K miles on it.
Since past 1 week, I am facing a problem of overheating. When I start the car, it says, COOLANT is low and after running for  1 to 1.5 miles, the car temp increases to Maximum.
I got my car checked for this problem. They are also clueless about the problem.
Can anyone suggest me the cost effective way of removing the problem??
regs
oscorp
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