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Sedans Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Transmission
54 messages, Last post on Apr 22, 2008 at 10:09 AM
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Replying to: blackmaxx1 (Jul 04, 2006 12:54 am)
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Replying to: maxx4me (Jul 04, 2006 3:55 am) |
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Hi, Some of your problems aren't too hard to explain. I've had those too. I have over 203,000 miles on my 98 Malibu LS. Those squeaks you hear are the rear control arm bushings that are located near the center of the suspension setup. Bushings should be about $20.00. A dealer here in SC charged me $66.00 to install. Check different dealerships, they charge different prices. The A/C problem is your control panel in the car. Mine was notorious for that. You can expect to pay about $100 - $160 for that part. Price again varies by dealer. You can fix it yourself. Just pop that plastic trim and ignition key cover off and unscrew the control panel. You may need a Allen screwhead driver. The wires and vacuum lines are easy to disconnect and connect. They may take a little effort. The notorious manifold gasket leak on the right side above transmission is a design flaw. There is a new graphite gasket GM is using for all the 60 degree V6 engines that leak. I had mine replaced at 77,000. It started this year again, but mine was replaced before the new type gasket came out. I use bars stop leak. Works well and no leaks. No effect on cooling system and I travel in South Carolina summers and commute to work that averages 500 miles a week not including regular town travel. The lunge thing I can't figure. Maybe a transmission issue. Aluminum valvebody will wear from check ball movement and fluid doesn't properly pressurize to move gears. Had mine replaced and fixed at 173,000 miles. Keep eye on trans. That valvebody is a $700.00 job. That was quoted from a GM dealer and a independent shop I trust. The independent did the work. Not a chain shop either. That water pump is about $20.00 at the part store and will last just the same as stock. Had mine replaced at around 90,000 miles. Easy fix for a side mechanic. Hopes this helps. Peace and longevity to your Malibu. I'm enjoying mine.
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Replying to: malibuinsc (Jul 18, 2006 3:45 am) The rear bushings are typical of rubber parts that sometimes don't selflubricate the way it was planned. Sometimes a special type of spray may lube them at the squeak point; sometimes they just need to be replaced. I have seen the AC control problems mentioned. The idea of an air filter in the AC unit is a question I'm not sure why it was asked. A filter clogs up and needs to be replaced. It can serve as a haven for mold if not replaced. But I don't think your car had one to begin with. The transmission like symptom I can only recommend a good shop who is used to GM cars to check it. It might be transmission but the first thing is usually engine. The motor having problems can confuse the controls for a transmission. Have the plugs and wires been replaced on the motor? The plugs were probably rated at 100K then and I replace mine at about 60-70K miles. The plug wires break down and don't work causing misfires. Those are regular maintenance items that some people skip thinking there's no problem. But having them working poorly sometimes causes other ignition parts to fail that create the spark. So regular upkeep is necessary on all cars. The soft brake pedal is a safety item. Do not drive it that way. You are endangering others and yourself. That could be from a vacuum hose off on the motor and that would make the motor run poorly and cause the check engine light to come on. Has the car had the oil changed and the ball joints greased. That's another item people skip that ends up costing in the end. That might be the source of noise in the rear end if ball joints are dry or worn.
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Jul 18, 2006 4:14 am) |
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Replying to: landrarodg (Jul 18, 2006 10:03 am) The recirculate uses some inside air and draws in some outside air with it. So recirculate doesn't completely eliminate the outside air with other car's fumes. There might be a seal around the hood between it and the air intake for the heater/AC below the windshield an the seal is out of place or torn. That could let air from your own engine compartment into the air inlet. That could have an oily or motor smell in it. You might be smelling some of your own motor. |
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Replying to: landrarodg (Jul 18, 2006 10:03 am) The problem here is that good maintenance now does not undo bad maintenance by the previous owner. Unless a reliable maintenance log was supplied to you by the previous owner you'll never know what the car has been put through. |
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Replying to: landrarodg (Jul 18, 2006 10:03 am) the bbrakes are another weak spot of this model Malibu. I'm glad you had it towed and didn't drive it. It could be a noumber of things that could have caused the problem. then again it could be a one time occurrence. Like I mentinoed in my previous post, you are at the point mileage wise where things tend to go. Also the other owners said it was reliable because they ignored some obvious things. I'm sure the coolant was leaking which is a classic sign of the intake manifold gasket problem. Very well documented problem with GM small block V6 engines. You paid $1500 to repair, should have only been $700 or so. You paid $800 for rear brakes. That is excessive if it was just replace rotors and brake pads esp. for this vehicle. YOu mention you bought it second hand and had no control over what happened to it before you bought it. did you have a mechanic check out the vehicle before you purchased it? Did you do any research on 1998 malibu before you purchased it? These two steps are critical esp. if you are purchasing a vehicle privately and without a warranty. I'm not trying to berate or belittle you but in the amount of time it took you to write your original post, you could have done some basic research here on Edmunds and read for yourself that the issues you are dealing with are common for this vehicle. I owned a 2001 malibu for a little over 2 years which is why I know your problems are typical. Not a good expereince and needed a bigger car for a growing family. I got out while the gettin' was good.
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Replying to: dtownfb (Jul 19, 2006 12:17 pm) It is and has been needless to say a very sticky situation from the start. Lesson learned...especially for my husband who wanted to trust his family and did not want to hurt them by heeding my advice and purchase a different vehicle. He wanted to trust their judgment. But hindsight is always 20/20 and it will NEVER happen again without a mechanic in the mix. We did have it fixed today and it was the EGR valve which was causing a multitude of problems including the brakes. It was messing up the computer in the car and making everything malfunction...we shall see how it does in the next few months. At this point I feel so financially attached to the car that I feel there is practically no way to get rid of it!!! We also replaced the plugs and wires and we hope to have small high-mileage maintenance issues in the future. Which we happily have taken care of all along. We will keep our fingers crossed and get out when we can. Also the prices we paid on the manifold included some work on the front tie rod (left outer replaced) and some minor issues under the hood. And the work on the rear brakes was extremely extensive...the pads were worn to the metal and the pads had just been replaced two months earlier (the previous owner brought the car to an unreliable mechanic). There was more damage than just the obvious brake pad and clip issues. It's been over a year and I can not remember all that was included on the brake work. I Will Keep Everyone Posted...Thank you everyone for all your info and advice...landrarodg |
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Replying to: landrarodg (Jul 19, 2006 1:17 pm) Was the trans oil changed at some time with just a drain and replacement filter? That's the only thing I can think that should be checked or changed before 100K. |
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