torchcrimson

Hi. I am hoping to get some insight on what's going on with my cavalier. Sorry for the lack of technical terms. I'm not very car savvy. I have a 2002 with the 2.2 (2200 not eco tech) engine. When the weather started to warm up and I used my a/c more, I noticed that when I idled the car at a light or in traffic, the a/c would stop working and the idle would fluctuate. I did some research online and found out about the problem with the high pressure sensor connector. The car started running hot not only in idle but while driving. I also had a code for the oxygen sensor so I decided to replace both. I have replaced the high pressure sensor connector, spark plugs, fan switch, thermostat, and both oxygen sensors. The following video is what happens after running the car for about 10 minutes, getting up to normal temp and then slightly revving the engine.


The steam is shooting from the front of the engine. Where the manifold hooks into either the exhaust or the pipe that goes to the radiator? I'm not really sure. If anyone can help or has any ideas, it'd be much appreciated.

torchcrimson

Tech Specs

<dl><dt class="grid_2 omega">Vehicle Name</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Chevrolet Cavalier </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Body Style</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">4 Door Sedan </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Drivetrain</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Front Wheel Drive </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">EPA Classification</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Compact </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Passenger Capacity</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">5 (5.0 min/5.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Passenger Volume</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">91.5 ft³ (91.5 min/91.5max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Base Curb Weight</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">2971, 2676 lbs (2676.0 min/2971.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">EPA Fuel Economy Est - City</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">20, 24, 25 MPG (20.0 min/25.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">28, 32, 33 MPG (28.0 min/33.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Engine Order Code</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">LN2 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Engine Type</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Gas/CNG L4, Gas L4 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Displacement</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">2.2L/134 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Fuel System</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">SFI </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">115 @ 5000 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">SAE Net Torque @ RPM</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">135 @ 3600 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Trans Order Code</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">MX0, MM5 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Trans Type</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">4, 5 (4.0 min/5.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Trans Description Cont.</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Automatic w/OD, Manual w/4th & 5th OD </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">First Gear Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">2.96, 3.58 (2.96 min/3.58max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Second Gear Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">1.63, 2.02 (1.63 min/2.02max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Third Gear Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">1.00, 1.35 (1.0 min/1.35max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">0.68, 0.98 (0.68 min/0.98max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">0.69 (0.69 min/0.69max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Reverse Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">2.14, 3.31 (2.14 min/3.31max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Clutch Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">8.46 in (8.46 min/8.46max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">3.63, 3.94 (3.63 min/3.94max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">525 (525.0 min/525.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">105 (105.0 min/105.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Total Cooling System Capacity</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">9.6 qts (9.6 min/9.6max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Suspension Type - Front</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">MacPherson Strut </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Suspension Type - Rear</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Trailing Axle </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">w/Coil Springs </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">w/Coil Springs </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Shock Absorber Diameter - Front</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">32 mm (32.0 min/32.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">25 mm (25.0 min/25.0max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">0.75 in (0.75 min/0.75max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Front Tire Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">P205/55R16, P195/65R15, P195/65R15, P195/70R14 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Rear Tire Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">P205/55R16, P195/65R15, P195/65R15, P195/70R14 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Spare Tire Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">T115/70D14 </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Front Wheel Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">16 x 6, 15 x 6, 14 x 6 in </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Rear Wheel Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">16 x 6, 15 x 6, 14 x 6 in </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Spare Wheel Size</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">14 x 6 in </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Front Wheel Material</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Aluminum, Steel </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Rear Wheel Material</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Aluminum, Steel </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Spare Wheel Material</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Steel </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Steering Type</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Power Rack & Pinion </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Steering Ratio (:1), Overall</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">14.7 (14.7 min/14.7max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">2.6 (2.6 min/2.6max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">35.6 ft (35.6 min/35.6max)</dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Brake Type</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Power </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Brake ABS System</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">4-Wheel </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Disc - Front (Yes or )</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Yes </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">10.2 x 0.79 in </dd>
<dt class="grid_2 omega">Drum - Rear (Yes or )</dt><dd class="grid_4 alpha omega">Yes </dd>
</dl>

sledge.impy

How is your coolant level? Is it leaking?

Can you have your engine coolant system pressure tested? That will identify any leaks.

Was the car shifted into gear on the first big clunk/engine movement? Are your motor mounts bad? Do they have cracks?

torchcrimson

The coolant isn't leaking and is staying at a regular level. With the engine cold, I have removed the cap and ran the car to check for bubbling or spraying and there's none of that. There's also no coolant on the spark plugs or in the spark plug holes.

I'm not really sure how to test the engine coolant system and I'm a little nervous about driving the car to a shop right now. Is there something I can rent to take home and do that?

The car was shifted from drive to park right before I revved the engine. We were trying to see if moving the car into drive would help the situation.

There's also a lot of smoke coming from the exhaust when the a/c is on.

torchcrimson

Here's a picture of where the steam is coming from.

sledge.impy

You should be able to rent a cooling system pressure tester, but you'll need to make sure you have the adapter set to fit on the radiator cap connection.

http://www.google.com/search?q=stant...ressure+tester

What color is the smoke from the exhaust? White? Black? Dark blue tint?

I would guess something is squirting onto your pipe there...but by the sounds of it and look of it - something else more is going on...

Is your oil fine or is it cakey?

The pressure tester can also be used as a test to see if you have head gasket issues.

torchcrimson

The oil is fine. We have ruled out the head gasket completely.

The smoke from the tail pipe is white.

Segfault

Yes you get white smoke when coolant is in exhaust, this can be a head gasket failure. Does not mean the coolant is mixing with oil.

BW56

I'm wondering if you have more than 1 problem here. That video showed a sudden vapor release that stopped just as quick. You stated the ac is not working normal. The car over heats while idling and driving on the road. White smoke out the exhaust. Can the steam be freon from the ac? Water would continue to stream for a short time after shut down. If the ac is low on freon it stops working at idle. I would place some thin cardboard on both sides of the exhaust and all hoses around there and see where the vapor is coming from. I did a full thread on my 02 that overheated after replacing just about everything related. Turned out to be a cheap simple heater core "REVERSE Flush" job. White smoke out the exhaust is a tiny almost undetectable amount of water going out with the engine exhaust. Where did it enter the system? During my over heating quest i replaced both the head and gasket. They weren't leaking but i don't see why because they were so bad. How do you check yours? Please do follow up with your results.