Christmas present and need help!!!

[Shaguar47]

My girlfriend drives a 2001 Base Cavalier Automatic and she has had no time to take it anywhere to get it checked up. I offered as a christmas gift to take her car while she's at work one day and my friend and I would clean it up, replace some small things and possibly get it inspected since this month is inspection time for it. Now here's my problem, I don't know much about chevy's. I'm a heavy honda owner and am a good mechanic for most fixes. I just need to know a few things as I've searched and found very little luck. Hoping you guys can help me out here.

First off, what spark plugs would be the best for her 2.2L? What Gap should they be?

What problems should I look out for when inspecting it in my garage? She's mentioned all sorts of odd sounds coming from it and it differs everyday. Axle Boots, oil leakage, loose tie rods?

Are there any components on the engine that could easily be cleaned like egr or pcv? Don't really know much here and I've searched too.

[Classicrocjunkie]

Stick with the stock Acdelco's gapped at .040-.045

PCV valves never need to be changed on the 2200. They are built into the valve cover.

You can take come carb cleaner to the TB and IAC valve, might want to use some seafoam. Its cheap and cleans carbon deposits.

wheel bearings like to go bad since GM didn't put a seal between the cv shaft and steering knuckle/wheel bearing. Makes a nice growling. Tie rods really don't get shot in these too early.

... maybe tune up. Plugs and wires... serp belt.

[spudracer73]

dude all automobiles are the same. What you know about you honda is the same with chevys, fords, etc. parts and configerations are different but mostly everthing does the same job. for spark plugs i use ngk.

[Shaguar47]

Originally Posted by spudracer73

dude all automobiles are the same. What you know about you honda is the same with chevys, fords, etc. parts and configerations are different but mostly everthing does the same job. for spark plugs i use ngk.

Uhhhhh...thanks I guess. Actually your right, all automobiles are the same when you look at them but when you compare a honda to a chevy, almost everything is going to be different. Yes you have an engine block with a head with belts attached and an exhaust system but when It comes to the questions that I'm asking, it pertains to the cavalier and not my honda. And If i knew these things, I wouldn't be asking about them.

The guy above who answered, thanks so much for the answer. That helped me out loads. It's going to be a merry christmas for someone special!