1997 Chevy Cavalier auto repair help

Tiny
THEWOODSHOP
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  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Chevy Cavalier 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive 117ooo miles

I have a 97 cavalier with a 2.2L in it. It was running when I started working on it. I changed the water pump, the thermostat, the temp sending unit, and the plugs. Now the car wount start it tries to but won`t. I set the gap and did a visual on the sending units and cant figure out what I did to stop the car from starting. It was running when I started. Please help.
Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 4:11 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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So I would start with the basic

do we have spark

do we have fuel and fuel pressure

check fuse

and also just in case firing order

if all OK
try to step on gas paddle � way and start
let me know what you find
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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
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In reply to your answer I have checked the firing order, and I have don the starting procedure that you described. As the engine cranks it kicks over thain floods than, it repeats, remember it was running when I started. So it must be something I did I have also checked all fuses and wires.
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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Sorry about all the questions
just trying to help if I can
did u disconnect the battery
try to use the key to lock and unlock the driver door
I am thinking security system
turn key on and do you see a security light on or flashing
and if so leave key in the ignition and ON for about ten min or until the security light stop flashing
let me know
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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 7:19 PM
Tiny
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Ok ihave checked the security system in the maner that you outlined. And it is not flashing, and the car is still flooding. Whats next?
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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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I keep on going over what u did and I can not find a reason for it not to restart
you had check the firing order and that checked OK

I would go back and recheck again what was done and check for a loose wire and or connector
and if all OK

you need to go back to the basic and start from there
do we have spark?
Do we have fuel pressure?
Do we have injector pulse?
And let me know what is missing if any

what do you mean by saying its flooding?
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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
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When I say flooding I mean too much fuel in the combustion chamber and fouling the plugs. There is spark and I cant find any wires that aren't connected. However there seems to be oil in the water. I put new oil in and new antifreeze the oil is a dark brown and so is the water. When I pulled the water pump I looked like thair lwas oil pocked in the block. I thought that suppesious. But if thair is a break in the block or a blown head gasket. Would it cause it not to start?

Email update:

I have came to the conclusion that thair is a blown head gasket. I seen some anti freeze that appeared to be coming from the head gasket. And as I said before, I put new oil in and it looks like thair could be oil in the water. Its not clean but dark brown. So iam in the process of tearing it down to replace the gasket. Stay with me and together we can fix this car. I will send another donation for all your help. Thanks.
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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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If you have an access to a compression gauges
you can try and do a compression test, put I can't see the relation and why you would have no compression just from replacing the water pump
remove coolant cap and crank engine do you have back pressure or a pressure build up in the coolant system then suspect blown gasket

check the MAP sensor
disconnect map sensor
try to hold down the gas paddle and crank
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Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 AT 4:15 PM

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