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Sedans Chevrolet Cavalier Chevrolet Cavalier: Head Gasket Issues
58 messages, Last post on Oct 09, 2009 at 7:36 AM
You are in the Chevrolet Cavalier Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: gbme (Jan 11, 2008 6:38 am) |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2008 12:36 pm) 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.
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Replying to: jh12 (Jan 16, 2008 1:56 pm) |
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 13, 2008 12:36 pm) 
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| 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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I am having Coolant Problems on my 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier. I keep filling it with water and it leaks right out. I have to refil the tank everytime I drive or my engine will overheat. If anyone on here may know what the problem is...please help!! Thank You in advance.
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Replying to: spcharles14 (May 29, 2008 6:53 am) |
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Replying to: jh12 (Jan 16, 2008 1:56 pm) |
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I am the original owner of a 98 cavalier. It was problem free for many years, but in the last 2 years it has had issues. The latest is overheating. I hadn't gone 3 miles from home when a light came on the dash showing low coolant, then within 3-4 minutes the needle on the temp gauge went over to H when it normally is right in the middle between C and H. So, I pulled over and turned the car off. After it cooled off I looked in the water resevoir and it was empty, so I added some water and was able to drive it to a mechanic without the light coming on again or the needle going to H. After a day with the car, the guy tells me nothing is wrong with it. Charged me $85 for that information. I drove it home and the next day all that water I added and I guess antifreeze was now on the ground in my garage. I added more antifreeze/water and took it out and the dash light came back on. Long story short, I had another mechanic look it over and he pressure tested the system and told me the water pump was leaking, a sensor that makes the fan come on was bad and the sensor wasn't switching the fan on, and I might have a blown head gasket. He replaced the water pump, he replaced the thermostat, replaced the sensor, he flushed the system and added some sealer - I think he called it Red Devil -- and said it was a temporary fix for a head gasket problem. He drove it around and said he thought it was ok for awhile. I am a nervous wreck now to drive it. I figure I'll have to get that gasket replaced eventually, but how long do you think I have? I'll need to save money in order to get it done, otherwise I would have had him do it today. Is it possible that the water pump could have been the big problem or is it definitely a head gasket problem when the coolant leaks and the car temp gauge goes to H?
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Replying to: bella14 (Jul 20, 2008 4:31 pm) In any event, perhaps the repairs done will fix the problem. If the head gasket is in fact leaking, you won't get far with the car. In the future, the proper tests for a head gasket leak are: 1. pressurize the system, remove spark plugs and inspect 2. inspect the oil for water intrusion 3. test the radiator coolant for combustion gases with the proper tester 4. compression test that shows two low adjacent cylinders 5. white smoke out of exhaust pipe 6. rapid overheating
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