My 2002 Chevy Cavalier stalled on me while driving last Saturday. My brother noticed some yellowish liquid on the dipstick (despite regular oil changes), and I had it towed to my mechanic. I told the repair shop that it quit running while I was driving, and that something was wrong with the oil.

The shop called me the following Monday and told me the timing chain broke (repairs = $1k+). I asked them again about the strange yellowish tinge and odd consistency to the oil, and they told me it was because condensation sometimes builds up. I've never seen this in any car I've owned, and I purchased this car new. I asked them again about it and received the same answer.

I called Tuesday to see whether the car was ready and was told that they replaced the timing chain, put everything back together and the car won't start. They informed me that something was broken within the engine, but could not tell me if it was the head gasket, valves, or what.

I've always trusted this repair shop - they seem to do good work and are 'AAA' certified.

Here's my main question: why didn't they look in to the problem with the oil BEFORE replacing the timing chain?

When I asked the owner, he said it is because there is NO WAY to determine whether something has blown on an ecotec engine without tearing everything apart, and they weren't concerned with the oil consistency because it was only a little yellow.

I know I don't know much about cars, but is it true that there is no way to determine whether there's a problem with the engine on an ecotec? I just cannot believe this - I've had two mechanics tell me they could have performed a test on the engine using an air hose.

I don't feel I am responsible for the nearly $1100 bill because I told them everything we noticed and they did not fix the problem. I think they should have investigated further to determine what caused the timing belt to break.

Basically at this point I can either sink $5k into my 02 Chevy to install a remanufactured engine ($5k includes a chunk of the $1k bill), or buy another car. Obviously, I'm leaning towards buying a car.

Thank you - I appreciate your help!

I can't recall if the 2.2L Eco is an interference engine or not. But it if it is, it means that you probably have at the very least some bent valves. At worst, you have a cracked or destroyed piston crown, (or more than one) valves broken off... .It could be very bad.

Oh it should be possible to find out using a compression test on the cylinders. These mechanics are full of it, or so it sounds like to me. As far as the yellow in the oil, I have no idea what it could be. I would recommend finding out if you can get a sample of it and send it out to blackstone labs for a Used oil analysis to see if they can identify what it is.

Thanks Nick - I've come to terms with the fact that the engine is blown. It sounds like I'm correct in thinking the shop should have tested more in depth before concluding it was the timing chain.

On another note, do you know how I can remove my full name from my original post?

You may need to become a premium member to achieve that...I know that in my premium member Control Panel, I can click "Edit my Forum Options", and it allows me to change my name per each forum and also can choose to do so dynamically, which changes all all older posts too.

By the way, I would suggest you negotiate a deal with the shop. They should not perform incomplete diagnosis, then charge you for repairs to an engine that has deeper damage. They did drop the ball here. Some method of compensation should be reached. If you'd like more guidance, PM me and I'll try to walk you through some tips to improve your situation.


Bill Hahn Jr.
Hahn RaceCraft

World's Quickest and Fastest Street J-Bodies
Turbocharging GM FWD's since 1988
www.turbosystem.com

Ive seen condensation in the oil on some motors, but usually only on/under the fill cap and on the dipstick, but above where the actual oil is. Its never been a lot either.

it looked like "yellow frost" so to speak, in the areas it was located.

If the oil itself looked like chocolate milk, then there was coolant or water in it, which is a problem. I know for a fact my mechanic here would have at least checked that out before doing anything. His rule of thumb is to try and rule out all the possibilities that you can before you attack something you are unsure of, saves time and money both.

Though worst case scenario i would say find a boneyard motor and call it a day. No cav is worth buying a new crate motor IMO (maybe new internals for a performance build), but for a dd, the wreckers is the best bet.


"A car just isn't a car without a little blood, sweat, and beers." -- Shadowfire

my chain skipped and when i brought it to the dealer they said i needed a new tensioner, valves, and head gasket. now my car runs but they said it is making alot of ticking sounds. they said lack of oil and could be a simple as something is clogged. if this next fix is alot of money i am going to use the car as a trade in at their dealership.

you might need valves or pistons. when the chain brakes usually one or both of those do as well.

Because I purchased a new 2002 Cavalier with the older push rod 2.2 engine to avoid any

problems with the newly developed Ecotec, I vividly remember on this forum around 2004

there was a lengthy discussion about the early Ecotec engines in 2002 had insufficient

oil delivery to the timing chains. There was a factory service bulletin to remedy using

a factory developed kit. This was prompted by many timing chain failures. The Ecotec is

an interference design and the timing chain failure caused massive destruction.


For a start, contact your dealer. See if you can obtain a copy of the FS bulletin which

would be valuable for your case.

I have an 02 ecotec sunfire. 215k, boosted since 140k, and no timing chain problems yet.

I do however get the ozzing yellow stuff on the dipstick/oil cap. Used synthetic since I purchased car @ 80k. Coolant/oil levels have always been good. I don't drive many short distances either, cept on weekends. It only happens in the spring/fall for me. Haven't ever been bothered by it.

there is never a time when you just replace the timing chain when it broke. it almost always causes internal damage when it breaks. there is no excuse for not doing at least a compression check.



87 Firebird
All stock...........lol.