I am going to look at a 98 cavalier this weekend.

The car looks great on the exterior, the older woman who owns it says it was her daily driver and was diagnosed with a bad head gasket 2 years ago and the car has set since.

I am unsure about whether it is a 2.2 or 2.4. But reading these forums it looks like the 2.2 is the one with the head problems.

I am mechanically inclined, have done head gaskets on many 2.2 chrysler engines and also pulled/replaced engines in these cars.

I have a good code reader.

So, my questions are....

Any big deal when doing these head gaskets?

If I took the code reader and put a battery in the car, will the codes still be there and will they help the diagnosis at all?

If it is a quad four with a bad head gasket, do I still want to attempt the job? I know these engines have to be much more complex.

Thanks...gary

I reread the ad on this car and it says it needs a timing belt.

These are interference engines right?

thanks...gary




97 Pontiac sunfire quad 4 auto

i highly doubt the engine in any 98 cavalier would need a timing belt... as they all have timing chains.



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So, I figure it is a 2.2, because it is a standard trim car, not a gt type.

It has chains even if it is a 2.2?

thanks...gary




97 Pontiac sunfire quad 4 auto

Sorry Rich.

Didn't notice you said they all had chains.

...gary




97 Pontiac sunfire quad 4 auto

I am unsure about whether it is a 2.2 or 2.4. But reading these forums it looks like the 2.2 is the one with the head problems.

I am mechanically inclined, have done head gaskets on many 2.2 chrysler engines and also pulled/replaced engines in these cars.

I have a good code reader.

you cant tell weather its a 2.2 or 2.4 but yet you say ur mechanically inclined.JavaScript:AddSmileyIcon('')

By the sounds of it, he hadn't looked at or inspected the car yet...

Sounds like it's most likely a 2.2 OHV... seeing that it's not a Z24. As far as doing the head gasket on the 2.2, it's really simple. Considering the cam is in the block, you don't have to worry about timing the engine.. the rockers are self-adjusting, so pulling the head is really simple. The hardest part is disconnecting the surrounding accessories. It's also a fairly cheap repair if you do it yourself. It's just shy of 100$ straight from GM parts department at a dealership, for all new head bolts and a new gasket.