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Chevrolet Cavalier: Head Gasket Issues

76 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2012 at 5:19 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cavalier, Engine, Sedan

Messages Page 9 of 9

#72 of 76 Re: Can't seem to fix it [ase25] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jan 29, 2012 (9:46 am)

Replying to: ase25 (Jan 28, 2012 9:29 pm)
Well you can have a break in the head gasket between a water and oil galley---the coolant, under pressure, will enter the oil galley. So, too, a leak between the combustion seal on the head gasket and a water galley will cause back pressure into the radiator. A crack in the head might also do the same thing.
 
What isn't so common is oil in the radiator.

#73 of 76 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Overheating by kingpalm61

Mar 12, 2012 (9:04 am)

I work as a mechanic and had just recently ran into this problem. Customer brought me a 1996 Cavalier that kept overheating. After finding a bad thermostat, bad head gasket and cracked head, I went ahead and corrected these issues. Car STILL overheated. Approximately 6 weeks prior, I had installed a new water pump. No blockage, coolant flowed freely. It was then that I noticed something - the water pump was pushing the anti-freeze in the opposition direction than it should have, so the thermostat was not opening. After a little research, I solved this problem by relocating the thermostat near the water pump to the housing next to the coolant temperature sensor. I was able to do this by using a 1995 Cavalier set-up, which has the thermostat located at the coolant temp sensor. It was a straight bolt-on deal. Problem solved!!! I noticed Chevy used this oddball set-up for 1996 and 1997 Cavaliers only. Sometimes you have to out think these idiotic engineers. Hope this may be of help to someone out there after 10 days of frustration for me.

#74 of 76 Re: 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Overheating [kingpalm61] by danfo

Apr 27, 2012 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: kingpalm61 (Mar 12, 2012 9:04 am)
thanks kingpalm61.....
 
 brother and i had the same issue with a 97 sunfire with a replaced motor from a 96 or 07 ..Cav... we changed head gasket because of a bent valve ..its because of snapped timing chain ... it would spill antifreez everywhere after a short drive .. but never at idle ... head scratcher !!... after doin compression checks and the likes ... with no issues !! my brother decided to try yr options ... he cut the upper housing containing the temp senser to accomadate the lower thermastat ..... it held the thermastat no problem ... it does not leak . and not throw liquid !..... "NO issues" yr quote ..lol!!!... thanks again !! .. engineers and their "back flow" issues !? lol

#75 of 76 Re: 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Overheating [kingpalm61] by car_go1

Jul 29, 2012 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: kingpalm61 (Mar 12, 2012 9:04 am)
My brother has the 1997 with the thermostat at the water pump area. Still having problem with overheating!

#76 of 76 Re: 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Overheating [kingpalm61] by cavaliernuts

Aug 14, 2012 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: kingpalm61 (Mar 12, 2012 9:04 am)
Yeah, I got a 98 cavalier 2.2L and notice the thermostat is no longer there on the right end of the head--it has a black pipe running out the left end of the head around the alternator bracket and across the front side of engine to hose going to radiator and heater core. NOW I CAN'T MOVE THE THERMOSTAT TO THE HEAD END FROM THE LOWER RADIATOR HOSE THAT RUNS INTO THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE BLOCK. PULLING COOLANT AWAY FROM THE THERMOSTAT IS JUST PLAIN STUPID---GM ROCKET SCIENCE WAS SMOKING DOPE WHILE COMING UP WITH THIS NEW DESIGN? WHY HAVE THE THERMOSTAT BEFORE THE WATER PUMP??? WAITING FOR THE HEAT TO GET TO THE THERMOSTAT WHEN IT WAY TO LATE THAT THE HEAD AND BLOCK IS NOW AT 212 DEGREE??? WHERE IT SUPPOSE TO BE AFTER THE WATER PUMP AND AT THE HIGHEST END OF THE ENGINE WHERE HEAT RISES. YOU WILL NEED TO RIP OUT THE THERMOSTAT, SEALANT AND BOLT IT BACK UP (OPEN) AND MODIFY A NEW THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT WITH TWO MALE ENDS, CUT UPPER RADITAOR HOSE AND ADD IT THERE MAKING SURE THE SPRING END OF THERMOSTAT FACED THE ENGINE.

Messages Page 9 of 9

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