1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: engine overheating

Filed Sep 2, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · AL

The head gasket leaked water. As a result, consumer had to check the water level daily to make sure that engine would not overheat.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Fuel system · 48,000 miles · NE

The fuel pump overheats when idling and it went out. (noisily, it sounded like a dentist's drill) before going out I took it in for a diagnostic because the car was pumping gas fumes into the cab and they found nothing wrong. Because it is in the gas tank it cost me over $700 to replace.

Filed Oct 15, 2003 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MA

My 97 chevy cavalier has blown through 3 head gaskets, 3 water pumps, 3 heater cores and 3 thermostats within the 3 years I've owned the car due to coolant leakage out of a place that no mechanic can seem to figure out. Also, the engine stalls when the car is in idle at random times. I've been stuck late at night on the highway and in the cold with my infant daughter several times and no one seems to be able to fix this problem.

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Engine · 51,000 miles · IL

1997 cavalier=head gasket became warped and had to be replaced=$900. Thermostat replaced 3 times since purchase, water pump replaced twice. Car returned to dealer every three to six months for the last 3 years for the same problem involving overheating and coolant leaks. Problem continually reoccurs, even after it has been deemed finally repaired.

Filed Mar 25, 2003 · Acceleration, Body · NM

The engine overheated, and stalled. The spark plugs melted. The technician found the head warped, causing excessive internal exhaust heat. The dealer replaced the relay switch, removed the head and resurfaced. The electric fans don't turn on. The technician found the fan relay, ect sensor, and fusible link shorted(removed replaced). The vehicle had surged and died out. The sensor connector clip broken and was replaced. The console under the radio had cracked. The vehicle wouldn't start, due to multiple dtc plugs fouled. The vacuum line had broken, and the connectors were re-pinned. The vehicle wouldn't start until the engine cooled down. The alternator was not charging and there was poor battery contact to the terminal. The alternator was replaced. Between the speeds of 25-30 MPH, the vehicle felt like it was going to rev up. The transmission did not shift into gear. The transmission was replaced and the cooler lines were flushed. There was noise coming from the engine and or the defective timing chain. The tensioner was replaced/resealed, the timing chain was greased, and the serpentine belt was replaced. Scc

Filed Mar 17, 2003 · Engine · 51,000 miles · OK

I have a 1997 chevrolet cavalier that right after purchase (1998) the engine needed replacement. The dealer as per the service contract did this. Skip ahead to now (2003), the car developed a coolant leak. It was looked at and tested by my local mechanic and was diagnosed as a bad head gasket. I called the dealer that replaced the engine and was told that the entire engine was replaced. I asked about them fixing the head gasket, as it should not be leaking (the engine has 38,000 miles on it) they said no. I called gm customer service, they said I would have to have it diagnosed by a gm dealer at the cost of $79.95. This was done, the dealer said it was a bad gasket and/or cracked head. Gm customer service said that since the car was out of warranty and that only a short block was installed they would do nothing about it. My complaint is this; I've been lied to by my local dealer. The cavalier has this known defect. Gm has done nothing to tell me about it, but they have issued a technical service bulletin about it to the dealers. And now they won't repair the vehicle, not will they offer to pay any portion of it's repair. I would like any and all help in forcing gm to fix this.

Filed Dec 16, 2002 · Engine · MI

Engine coolant leak. Car has not been looked at by a mechanic yet. I've had to fill the radiator with fluid several times in the past month. The leak is becoming faster now, as I've had to fill it up two times in the past 4 days.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

Have put 3 alternators on this car, even when under warranty before 12,000 miles (approximately). Brakes have been replaced at least 3 times. Now, the brakes have failed completely and the ABS light came on. Dealer says no recalls, except for the ignition system. Scheduled that for repair 7/23/02. Seat belt plastic covers snapped off (belt loose on one and hit by car door when shutting it. The other one just popped off. Belt continues to slip off engine, causes stalling even if driving 55 MPH. Now brakes intermittently failing. Left front brake continues to have brake dust accumulate on wheel cover. Car has 110,000 miles on it (engine repaired last year). Car is also overheating; has had tstat replaced, radiator fluid. What else could cause this, I don't know.

Filed Jul 2, 2002 · Engine · WI

Consumer noticed coolant leaking from vehicle. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer yet.*ak dealer found cylinder head gasket and water pump leaking. Replaced pump and head gaskets. Manufacturer notified. Consumer is aware of same problem with the 1996 models.

Filed Apr 21, 2002 · Engine · OH

My car had started overheating really bad, and was going through coolant like crazy. So I called the dealership where I bought it and they charged way to much. So I took it to a radiator shop and had it looked at. They replaced the water pump and some hoses, and it still acted up. So I finally bought a whole new coolant tank, and yet still it continued to do the same thing. So I took it to firestone to have a coolant pressure test done. They told me that the head gasket had a leak in the front corner. They estimated it at costing about $800 to fix the head gasket. But then I took it upon myself to go buy a new cap for the coolant tank and I haven't had a problem with it overheating on me. That cap only cost me like $10. What concerns me is that the pressure cap that was originally on the car was a 15 psi cap and the new one I bought from the dealer was an 18 psi. They told me they changed the part for my car. I would like to know why I wasn't notified of this. That could have been the whole problem behind my car overheating.

Filed Jun 5, 2001 · Engine · KY

I noticed that my 1997 chevrolet cavalier had been leaking coolant, when I proceeded to find the leak I was unsucessful. Many other complaints on your website have proven to have the same problem. The leak appears to be around the front head gasket. It could possibly have a cracked head. This sounds like a logical explanation due to the violent vibration from the engine, white smoke from the tail pipe and overheating.the coolant must be leaking into the fuel mixture at the head. The car is at an undriveable state. Dealerships which I have contacted told me about recalls of a similar nature for the 1995 and 1996 cavalier models. Why hasn't there been a recall on the 1997 model? Thank you.

Filed May 2, 2001 · Engine, Visibility · NJ

Windshield wipers stay in upright postion, coolant leaking.