Hey guys it's been a while since I last had a Cavalier and I really miss them. I found a guy locally selling a 97 Z24 for 1700. He claims to have only had the car for two weeks and that he needs to get rid of it due to the car limit at his house. I took it for a test drive and the clutch felt good. I noticed a check engine light the whole time I was driving it and I was kicking myself for not bringing my OBD2 scanner. The temperature gauge was hovering around 195-210 during the whole drive. The car accelerated nicely and the brakes felt decent. I noticed a small puddle of coolant on the drivers side of the engine on top, kind of under the "TWIN CAM" plastic cover. The coolant sat in a low spot near a group of sensors. Is any of what I'm describing sound like this car could be trouble? I've had bad luck with buying cars that have all had their "inherent" problems like "ignition module failure on a fiero" for example. Please help me out because I really want to get back into the Cavalier scene, thanks in advance-
1995 Cavalier 2.2 5spd. CAI, muffler, 17" Motegi's
the leak on the drivers side could just be the water neck...... its plastic with a rubber o-ring, I've seen them leak before. (or the bypass tube can also leak, small metal pipe with a o-ring on the end).
Things to look for, steering being quick and responsive. Not to much play (steering rack or pump going bad). No loud clunks when going over bumps (strut mounts or struts). Leaking coolant from the passenger side (water pump). Also look for oil leaks.
SPD RCR Z -
'02 Z24 420whp
SLO GOAT -
'04 GTO 305whp
W41 BOI -
'78 Buick Opel Isuzu W41 Swap
Thanks for the message. The steering felt tight and precise, there weren't any oil leaks to speak of and the shocks/struts seemed decent. So far I think that the car is looking pretty good, I just gotta figure out what the check engine light is for. I wonder what the typical problem is that comes up with these cars and if it is an expensive/difficult fix.
1995 Cavalier 2.2 5spd. CAI, muffler, 17" Motegi's
MIleage and Timing Chains....
~OPSE
watch the mileage and does it look abused cuss the 2.4 ius a common problem
^ on a 2.4? Not really an issue...
Water pump is the big thing on any 2.4L, 96-02.
Poor oiling too, so if you bag on it too much with low oil levels, you'll end up changing the motor.
I had that same issue with the coolant leaking from the water outlet neck (plastic housing which looks like the thermostat belongs there... but it's not there...) on all three 2.4L's I've owned. All needed a new O-ring, and it was never again a problem.
yea oiling is a common prob..which is the cause of my old Z blowing..spun rod bearing..look out for that...i love the 2.4 power and torque..but cant say i would ever go back to one now.
