99 chev cavalier engine problems

1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

DAVYBOY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

there are a few things wrong and i'm wondering if it is worth trying to save this car. first off when it idols, the entire engine block vibrates about 2 or 3 inches forward and back. second from what appears to be the connector for spark plug 4 (4 cylinders) there is a slight crack in the metal and it is continually making a click click click sound and occasionally i can see a blue spark arching from it to a small bolt between the connectors for plug 3 and 4. i was told a while ago that the spark plug head for cylindar 1 was cracked and that coolent was leaking into it but i do not know how credible that is, as my family has had many a dispute with the mechanics that said that. it allready has 215,000 kilometers on it and i don't know if it is worth trying to save this engine, or if in the long run a rebuilt or new engine would be better.

could someone please give me some non biased advice.
yours truely
~david

May 28, 2007 at 5:19 PM

E40WATER12

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
522 POSTS

Just to let you know all 2.2L and 2.4 cavalier engines shake like that, Its the way they are designed, Also you motor mounts could be wornout, If u can see a blue spark from the spark plug hole, You got to make a choice what u want to do, A cavalier 215,000 kilometers, I still not to bad for km's, But if the car has been abused with over due oil changes, It could be better off doing a complete rebuild on the motor, It would save u a big head ache, Down the road, If the oil has been maintianed, Just get a new remanifactured cyl head, Hd Gasket kit, Then youre set, Cavaliers are great cars, Ive own 3 already,

May 30, 2007 at 4:43 AM

DAVYBOY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanx for the advice, i am getting the motor mounts tightened/replaced, and replaicing some of the wiring, as for the remanifactured cyl head, and Hd Gasket kit do you have an aproximate price???

May 30, 2007 at 5:40 PM

E40WATER12

✓ASE Certified Mechanic
522 POSTS

For a ball park figure, Its what I paided before, to do a H/G job, It was $350 for Remanifactured cyl HD, Plus HD gasket $15-$30 dollars, Head bolt kit $35 / then I did the HD gasket job my self, I saved my self $850, Youre looking around $1200, For complete job, for a shop to do it. Could be cheaper,

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Jun 5, 2007 at 3:28 AM

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