I have a 97 Cavalier 2.2 OHV automatic.
It seems to be leaking coolant externally from the head gasket. The two major leaks are in the front of the engine above the water pump, and from the back of the engine directly above the transmission bellhousing. There is no coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. The engine runs good but will over-heat occasionally. I'm afraid the cylinder head may be warped. I tried to do a compression test, but I was unable to because I could not disconnect the ignition coils.
How hard is it to change the head gasket on this engine? It doesn't seem like it would be very difficult because of the OHV design. Approx. how many hours does it take? I've never worked on these cars before, but I do have a fair amount of experience in mechanics.
The car has around 160,000 miles on it. Is it even worth while to fix it? The body is in great condition, but it also needs 4 tires and possibly some wheel bearings. The exhaust is held up with coat hangers. It sounds like an Abrams tank when driving on the highway.
97 Cavalier - bone stock
98 neon R/T - 298whp, 296wtq
I wish I could help. i myself am leaking oil from the engine, by where the tranny fluid dipstick is. No oil in coolant, no coolant or water in the oil, but i've lost 1.5 qts in the past 4k miles, having not done a headgasket before I'm not quite sure.
PS: Mr benham, I apologize for not getting back to you about the head, hit some financial difficulties, but if I woind up changing the gasket, I'd like to buy it off you if its still around.
Any time, any where, Lets put it on the line and race thru the lights
If its just a beater, or if you plan on driving it for a long time, it isn't too bad a job on the 2.2 OHV engine.
Did I mention I drive a 2000 Lumina now?-----wigm-tuners.org member
Jason Doe wrote:I have a 97 Cavalier 2.2 OHV automatic.
It seems to be leaking coolant externally from the head gasket. The two major leaks are in the front of the engine above the water pump, and from the back of the engine directly above the transmission bellhousing. There is no coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. The engine runs good but will over-heat occasionally. I'm afraid the cylinder head may be warped. I tried to do a compression test, but I was unable to because I could not disconnect the ignition coils.
How hard is it to change the head gasket on this engine? It doesn't seem like it would be very difficult because of the OHV design. Approx. how many hours does it take? I've never worked on these cars before, but I do have a fair amount of experience in mechanics.
The car has around 160,000 miles on it. Is it even worth while to fix it? The body is in great condition, but it also needs 4 tires and possibly some wheel bearings. The exhaust is held up with coat hangers. It sounds like an Abrams tank when driving on the highway.
changing the head gasket on an OHV is a cake walk...on time...well that depends on you. for me to replace a head gasket..(including clean up) is generally about 2 hours...so figure in it might take you 4-5 since you have never done it before
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Jason Doe wrote:The car has around 160,000 miles on it. Is it even worth while to fix it? The body is in great condition, but it also needs 4 tires and possibly some wheel bearings. The exhaust is held up with coat hangers. It sounds like an Abrams tank when driving on the highway.
I would just let somebody else deal with it, just for the simple fact that it they screw something up they will be responsible, not you.
if you are 100% sure about what you're doing, go for it! if not, don't mess with it because if something goes goes wrong, then you have to take it apart and do it again.
Specially if the body is in good shape, that's great!
if it needs new tires, you can get new 50,000 mile tires for less than $400.00
go to a shop and get some brackets or something to fix and hold the exhaust.
and wheel bearings... maybe is one of the old tires making noise. I had that problem before.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edited Monday, February 02, 2009 5:48 PM
i have a 97 sunfire 2.2 auto and i just did the headgasket myself a couple of weeks ago. its not too bad of a job. the only problems i had was that i worked in an unheated garage in like 0-10 degree weather hahah. when i took my head off there was no coolant to drain because it was so low but after i got the head off, i checked it and it was perfectly flat. i had to cut 2 of my vacuum lines that go to the top of the throttle body. but i didnt break any bolts which is good. you may have to pull out all the intake and exhaust studs from the head and leave the intake and exhaust manifold in the car and then just pull the head..thats what i had to do. let me know if you need any help.
People - the 3rd gen jbody was designed with a cast block and an aluminum head piss poor design Why ? different metal expands and contracts at different temperatures. I guarantee 95 percent of you are like me and start our cavs and go NOT ALLOWING YOUR CAV TO HEAT UP FROM IDLE TO OPERATING TEMP 90deg will cause the head to heat up faster than than the block it cools just as fast and contarcts the again and again causing it to twist hense needing a new head and head gasket.
Im trying to find out if the JDM (Japans) version of the Chev Cavalier ( Made by toyota) has an aluminum block to switch it with anyways good luck
