1998 Chevy Cavalier Car stopped

FRIENDLYCAROWNER

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
117,200 MILES

My cavalier was running perfectly on Friday, but on Saturday as I was on the highway it gradually came to a stop. I had it towed to a mechanic, and after checking it and having to pay over a $140 fee, he told me the engine was gone due to a compression problem.

What could have gone wrong? Also with the cavalier I often find something wrong with it. I just paid for new cooplant tube, radiator hose, tailpipe and muffler, battery and other things in February. Then in October the engine dies and I was told that a replacement engine would be over $5,000.

What could I have done to prevent this from happening? I think I have been takeing this in for regular maintenance?

2 Replies

KNOWYOURAUTO

MECHANIC
113 POSTS

Sometimes a car is just a lemon. We call that engine being built on "beer Friday." On the topic you asked, good maintenance is a combination of exactly what the manufacturer suggest and a little extra.

I owned a brand new Dodge Dakota when I was a teenager that only recommended replacing the engine oil filter every OTHER oil change. Any mechanic will tell you that is just a bad idea.

Besides doing EXACTLY what the maintenance schedule suggests for the severe driver schedule, do a complete oil and filter change no more than every 4,000 miles. Spark plugs, even if it calls for platinum or iridium no more than 50k miles. (Copper style every 24-30k)

Either use a reputable gas company like Exxon, Chevron, Texaco or any other big name every time you fill to avoid stale fuel and carbon buildup. And every other year have a fuel injection service performed. Gas treatments are a fine alternative but must be performed more often as they are severely diluted in the gas tank.

Regards.