Friend just got one, what should she know?

What’s up everyone! I never really come around these parts, I usually stick with the civic & COT forums. Anyway, a close friend of mine just bought a 2001 Cavalier & I would like to know if there are any issues that she should know about. The car’s got 78,000Mi on it & has the 2200 SFI engine.

There's not really any "regular" failures on them. The biggest thing is the head gaskets, like most 4 cylinder engines, they'll start to leak over time. GM made them better and better, and by '01 I think the head gasket problem was eliminated or at least much better.

Overall, the Cavalier is tied for first place on my "cars I like" list (Pontiac Grand Am is the other) I'd say she picked a good one.

Thanks for the response J-Ri. could anyone tell me what's the average millage that people have started to see this, so I could give her a heads up.

No real big problems like stated above. The 2200 is a reliable motor, but slow as balls.

HG's don't go till your normally above 110K mile range is when you should start keeping an eye on things. I'm not saying it will go then, might even make it to 150K b4 it goes.. never know.

But they are a snap to do. Last one I did on a 2200 only took me 2hrs and thats hauling ass through it. Normal guy would take probably 5-6 hrs.

Thanks for the response J-Ri. could anyone tell me what's the average millage that people have started to see this, so I could give her a heads up.

I had a '96 Beretta with the 2.2, I averaged 32 MPG (some trailer pulling lowered the avegage considerably, but could get up to 37 driving it easy. I've got an '04 Cavalier now, and I average 40.7 MPG... of course with the all aluminum ecotec, it's much lighter... and that's driving very easy and mostly highway. "Normal" driving I get about 37. Both cars above are with a manual trans, 8-15% more efficient than an automatic.

I had a '96 Beretta with the 2.2, I averaged 32 MPG (some trailer pulling lowered the avegage considerably, but could get up to 37 driving it easy... Yeah, that’s why she got rid of her old car. Gas prices were killing her.

Anyway thanks. One more thing, could anyone provide a link for a maintenance schedule? I’m concerned about things like oil/water pump, timing belt/chain, & valve adjustments.

So can anyone give me a link for a maintenance schedule for my friends 2001 Cavalier?

Its a GM so expect a list of things that need to be repaired on a regular basis!
Lower control arm bushings, wheel bearings, wheel cylinders, fuel pumps, window motors, oxygen sensors, and the list goes on.

Yeah, GMs totally suck :rolleyes:

Seriously though, a few on that list are a do-one-time job, and although common, dont expect to do most of them on every vehicle. I've spent less money on my GMs than most people do on their [whatever their "best" car is], and I keep mine in near perfect condition.

Oil changes every 3,000 miles or 3 months with conventional oil, up to 20,000/1 year with synthetic but change it when it gets dark bronze colored (so you probably wont go 20k)

Coolant- (orange - dex-cool) go the full amount GM says, but after that flush it and replace with green. If it gets sludge in it sooner, flush and replace then. (green - ethylene glycol) either a drain and fill every year, or a flush every two years.

Trans fluid (A/T) flush every 50k or when it starts to smell slightly burnt (M/T) doesn't require changing, but I'd do it every 100k or more.

Brake fluid and P/S fluid don't "require" flushing, but will benefit from it. Distance and time can vary greatly, but as with any fluid "when it gets dirty" is a good time.

There are no valve adjustments and no timing chain interval. Most engines will easily go 300k+ on a timing chain.

Its a GM so expect a list of things that need to be repaired on a regular basis!
Lower control arm bushings, wheel bearings, wheel cylinders, fuel pumps, window motors, oxygen sensors, and the list goes on. You sound like a little disgruntled. I`ve owned a few chrysler product that required all that stuff and more. needless to say I wouldn`t take one home now even if it was given to me. I guess I`ve developed a complex about chrysler products. I`ve had numerous Gm products and while not perfect I`d take another in a heartbeat.
The only thing I would add to all these posts is that I would change all the fluids now given the mileage. Then You know where You stand in that regard. I would do it with any vehicle regardless of make.

While new here, I just posted about an issue I'm having with my Cavalier. However, having said that, I got it at 125k miles for the girlfriend. Despite it having been treated awfully (there was oily dirt in the nook between the starter and the engine. When I took an inner wheel fender out, leaves so old that they had turned decomposed to mush was sitting in there! Oy), and despit it needing quite a few things (of which it had NO PCV valve and the valve cover gasket was shot) it ran hardy. It still does. It's a fun car to work on, and except for the front bumper, awfully easy. :) Me.