Hello. I just bought at 2003 2.2, 4cyl automatic cavalier. I only paid 1500 for it, so I can't complain too much for a used car. Problem is now that it's been home and I have ran it 150-200 miles or so, it's showing signs of some major problems. I need some insight on things I can do myself so I don't have to take it to a shop and spend $$ I don't have.

First, it had a cherry bomb jammed under it when I bought it. I'm trying to put a straight pipe in but am having a hard time sealing it upfront. I do not have access to a welder, so I've been using those patch kits from the parts store. The silver kind blew right off. Right now it is sitting till tomorrow because I used the putty and the red muffler bandage. It says to sit for 24 hours so it is not moving till tomorrow. Hopefully this will fix the exhaust loudness.

Now, onto what is worrying me, and things I wonder if the exhaust system is what is causing them:

1) It eats gas terribly. Worse than any 4cyl I have ever owned. I'm getting maybe 15 miles to the gallon.

2) It idles high (I think). When I'm at a redlight or idling in the yard it sounds like I'm pushing the gas when I'm not.

3) If I turn the a/c on, it will stall out unless I'm hitting the gas.

4) Sometimes it stalls when I'm backing out of the driveway or in a parking lot. It starts right back up though.

5) The transmission takes a while to shift into 1st and 2nd, then after that it shifts smoothly.

Another problem I have is I'm used to older cars with a dip stick for the transmission fluid. The first thing I thought when I felt the tranny slipping is to check the fluid. But it is the kind without a dip stick so I don't know if it has the right amount, or needs to be changed. I've read that it needs to be up level and idling to check, but with it idling ruff, I don't know if it will show properly.
Thanks.

 

If the check engine light is on, have the codes scanned. THose could tell you a lot. New plugs and wires would help a lot. And getting the trans flushed.

 

check for vacuum leaks as well.

 

Thank guys. Here's a bit of an update.

Last evening I took off and cleaned the IAC valve, it actually looked pretty good. But there was some oil in the air line, and noticed some oil has been going through the carb and out the tailpipe. So I'm thinking it's a PCV valve. Only I can't seem to locate it in this car? So any help with that would be appreciated.

I can't read any codes off the car because the ODE doesn't work. I've checked and changed fuses but still no luck. So I'm pretty much having to go into this blind.

 

i purchased a cavalier from a family member who was having some similar problems....ended up being the computer might want to check that out as well

 

It ended up being the spark plug boots were worn. So I replaced all of the plugs and boots, and cleaned the AC valve (sp?).

I have noticed that as long as I change the oil and filter every month, it runs smooth with no hard shifting anymore.