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Chevrolet Cavalier: Head Gasket Issues

58 messages,  Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 7:36 AM

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#38 of 58 Check engine light after head gasket replacement by bakemeacake Aug 19, 2007 (11:56 am)
I own a 1994 automatic cavalier with about 136,000 miles on it. I just had the head gasket replaced last week after it overheated. I got my car back yesterday (Saturday) and today after driving it on the highway for about 6 miles the check engine light came on. It seemed to be running fine though. I turned around and came home because i don't want to do anymore possible damage to it. And of course the repair shop isn't open today. I will bring it in tomorrow morning but was wondering if you guys had any idea what the problem could be.   I've recently had the following replaced: water pump (after car overheated a month ago), alternator, battery, starter (about 7 mo. ago), new spark plugs, new brakes, all new tires and a serpentine belt. I get oil changes every 3,000-3,500 miles. I drive mostly on the highway to commute 20 miles to and from work every day and some in town driving. I am so frustrated as I have put so much money into this vehicle. I am looking to buy a new (used) car soon but need this car to last me at least another month or two.   Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.   p.s. - My power steering also seems screwed up since I got it back from the shop. I've had this happen before for brief times but it would always go back to normal.
#39 of 58 Blown Head Gasket or Cracked Head? by goldenrodr Oct 26, 2007 (1:08 pm)
I have steam seeping out of the valve cover gasket. At first it was intermittent, but now it seems to be constant. It leaks from the front side over the exhaust manifold. There is no water in the oil. The car is a '94 with 114K miles and I am trying to decide if it's a DIY job.   The last head gasket I replaced was in '82 on a Ford Fiesta. When that went it broke a valve (the replacement was incorrectly listed at the dealer and it took 3 days to get the right valve - after I took a good one and showed them that their replacement was incorrect!)   Any thoughts on whether it's a gasket, head or worse?
#40 of 58 Partially successful SteelSeal application by dbcgeno Oct 26, 2007 (3:12 pm)
1996 Cavalier Z24 two door coupe. 140,000 miles.   My mechanic identified that the head gasket was leaking hydrocarbons at something like 35 parts per million. Said it should be zero. He didn't want to take the engine apart to fix it and so applied SteelSeal. The hydrocarbons are now down to 15 parts per million.   I am looking to sell this car. Figure that the buyer will have a head gasket repair job sometime in a year or so (and of course I'll be up front about it), but am concerned that because it was not fully repaired I might be mistaken and the buyer will be stuck with a repair job very soon.   Mechanic said that the hydrocarbon leak would not cause it to fail a smog check.   Opinions?
#41 of 58 Is the head gasket blown? by gbme Jan 11, 2008 (6:38 am)
My son came home last night and told me the car had overheated.It is a 2000 Chevy Cavalier with a 2.2. It died about a half of a block away. Now is won't start, just turns over and makes a sound like the starter is going out or some thing. I don't know if it is a blown head gasket or the timing belt. I removed the valve cover and then turned over the motor and the rocker arms are all working. So I'm thinking it isn't the timing unless it jumped time. Can someone give my a little help here. Thanks Replies to this message: gonogo (Jan 11, 2008 8:46 am) Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2008 12:36 pm) jh12 (Jan 16, 2008 1:56 pm) gonogo (Jan 17, 2008 8:53 am) jpf (Jun 10, 2008 1:55 pm) hot1toknow (Jan 23, 2008 11:03 am)
#42 of 58 Re: Is the head gasket blown? [gbme] by gonogo Jan 11, 2008 (8:46 am)
Replying to: gbme (Jan 11, 2008 6:38 am) Check cylinder compression. If it died from overheating it almost surely cracked the aluminum cylinder head.
#43 of 58 Re: Is the head gasket blown? [gbme] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jan 13, 2008 (12:36 pm)
Replying to: gbme (Jan 11, 2008 6:38 am) You can also pull the spark plugs and look for presence of coolant. Overheating is deadly for these cars so head gasket is suspect. Replies to this message: jh12 (Jan 16, 2008 1:56 pm) gonogo (Jan 17, 2008 8:53 am) jpf (Jun 10, 2008 1:55 pm) hot1toknow (Jan 23, 2008 11:03 am)
#44 of 58 Re: Is the head gasket blown? [Mr_Shiftright] by jh12 Jan 16, 2008 (1:56 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2008 12:36 pm) Does anyone know if this problem is as common in newer models? I'm very close to purchasing a used 2004 with about 51,000 miles on it. Most of these seem to involve older models, but the fact that it happened to someone with a 2005 with low miles is not very comforting.   I had a 1997 Dodge Neon that I bought because I liked the look and the way it ran and handled. It was a 2.0 DOHC Sport model. Little did I know when I bought it 5 years ago that they were notorious for head gasket problems. 2 or 3 years later, I had a blown head and dropped $800 to repair it. I really don't want to go through that again.   I know my dad said they had 2.2 engines in their Dodge trucks when he worked for the Department of Transportation, and that they were junk. These were older 2.2's, and not the Ecotec.   I'm also considering a 2004 Kia Optima. The reason I'm leaning to the Cavalier is I thought it could save me more money all the way around... on gas, on insurance, on parts and maintenance. I'm not dirt poor, mostly because I live alone, but I'm definitely not rich either. I'm a one vehicle owner, so I need something dependable. Replies to this message: gonogo (Jan 17, 2008 8:53 am) jpf (Jun 10, 2008 1:55 pm)
#45 of 58 Re: Is the head gasket blown? [jh12] by gonogo Jan 17, 2008 (8:53 am)
Replying to: jh12 (Jan 16, 2008 1:56 pm) If you want dependable get a Corolla.
#46 of 58 Re: Is the head gasket blown? [Mr_Shiftright] by hot1toknow Jan 23, 2008 (11:03 am)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2008 12:36 pm) Hi, everyone. My 95' cavalier coupe is the prettiest little car, but.... it seems to have every problem i've read in these forums. Bought it in 2000' from original owner who had timely oil changes, maintenance, ect.. 1 month later cracked head!! Never even overheated on me? So almost $1000 later with a rebeaded head,( I know I got jipped ) I had overheating, then waterpump went out, then air conditioning, then brakes, ignition recall, timing belt, side door panel falls off, electrical problems, throttle stuck and excelerated in drive, muffler fell off, numerous sensors replaced and finally tires. HHHH!!! Now for the last two years it started to spit and sputter and die when its cold or raining ! This is after regular tune-ups and oil changes. It has coolant around the second spark plug from the right constantly and fouls out. Help!!!!! I know its a money pit. Any ideas???? Please.
#47 of 58 94 2.2 spits and sputters by blu_cavalier Mar 12, 2008 (5:55 pm)
My girlfriend owns a 94 cavalier with 114000 on it. About 3 months ago it started to spit and lose power. After about 10 mins this would go away. Then a few days later it happened again. Then 2 months ago she just died and wouldn't start at all. Then 3 days ago I tried to start it and it just fired right off. Ran fine til this morning when it just wouldnt start. This afternoon it started right up. Can someone please help?

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