Hey guys,
I don't post too often on here, but I've got a few questions about my '99 Z24.
I love the car's styling, but it stops there. Mechanically, it's a nightmare. I replaced 4 alternators in April in one weekend, followed by a battery. Snapped one of the heads of the 2 bolts that hold the engine up in the air (passenger side top 2 bolts; the one closest to the front of the car) during one of the alternator exchanges. Blew the engine the previous december with only 117,000 on the original motor. No warning, nothing. Just spun a bearing. Heard horror stories of the TwinCam 2.4 blowing up from the inside as a common problem. Bought another '99 Twin Cam motor with only 90,000 for $600. I have a P0440 engine code which is EVAP malfunction, and when the new engine was installed, the NEW thermostat was defective, and the car has no heat. The thermostat is nothing easy to get to, so as far as I'm concerned, screw it for now. The passenger window motor was replaced, but now the driver's window motor overheats, making closing the window about a 30 minute task. There's a loud "Clunk" when turning left or right and I've been told it's control arm bushings, that are prone to replacement on these cars (a common problem). Easy to do, but expensive to replace. Lastly, the fuel pump has an intermitent loud whining, usually after about an hour of driving.
I had plans for this car. I easily could have made them happen, but with all the repairs this thing needs, I'm thinking it's just not worth it. It IS only a high-end Cavalier.
Body-wise, it shows it's age with light paint fading in the C & B-pillars. Panels are straight aside from door dings from parking lots and garages. It has white-faced gauges in a neutral tan-ish interior. Black exterior with clear corner lenses and $135 worth of Sylvania Silverstar lighting in the front. The stereo has been replaced with a Kenwood/ Pioneer mix that pounds pretty hard. The tails have been replaced with '95-'99 Toyota Cavalier Tail lights. The emblems have been shaved, aside from the side "Z24" in the molding, which has been highlighted with charcoal grey vinyl sticker inserts. It IS a sharp/ sleek looking car, but to me, has an expensive list of problems. SO...What should I do. Fix it? Sell it? Is it worth fixing? Should I just get rid of it and find something else?
I bought it a little more than three years ago and have a 4 year loan on it, of which I owe only about a grand.
My plans were to create an americanized Toyota Cavalier TRD clone. I LOVE the TRD's. I only like the '95-'99 Z24's. At one point I loved my car, but now it's time to make a decision. So what would YOU do?
Thanks for the input. IF you know one of the above problems is an easy fix, by all means, let me know where I can find information to fix it myself. (Obviously, this site, but any OTHER place would help as well.) Everyone one of you has a pretty unique car, some of which I'm quite envious! So I'd thought I'd ask people who KNOW J-Bodies. Thanks Again!
D.L.
You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type
Your cav's a dud-trash the freaking thing already....
I wouldn't give up on Cavaliers, just find one in better shape.
The 2.4s can be monsters, but if you watch them and give them some extra tlc, they can go for a while too...
A co-workers 98 Z just passed 200k with very little broken.....
You should sell me the taillights and scrap the rest!
haha i have only done minor repairs. and i beat the @!#$ out of it.
I'm back from the dead.
Currently Driving: RSX Type-S.
My Cavalier Burnt up :-(
Donny Lowrida wrote:IF you know one of the above problems is an easy fix, by all means, let me know where I can find information to fix it myself. (Obviously, this site, but any OTHER place would help as well.)
it's called the maintenance forum. that's what it's there for.
and if you had to replace 4 alternators in 1 weekend, im guessing either you were doing something severely wrong or the problem wasn't with the alternator to begin with and you weren't fixing the right problem.
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it's called the maintenance forum. that's what it's there for.
and if you had to replace 4 alternators in 1 weekend, im guessing either you were doing something severely wrong or the problem wasn't with the alternator to begin with and you weren't fixing the right problem.
This isn't a question as to how to fix things wrong with my car. If you know how and would like to offer some help, feel free.
Replacing an alternator is NOT a big deal. Replacing a FACTORY alternator with a AFTERMARKET one is a total pain in the a$$, since parts store alternators aren't always guaranteed to work. I had each one tested and they all failed. Some were tested before leaving the store, and it was the idiot running the testing machine who didn't know how to run it in the first place, that was causing the problem. He tested each one except the fourth and he was setting up the machine so they wouldn't fail at all, but in reality, he was testing them with the wrong load, and polarity. I went to a different store for the fourth and had it tested and it's been fine ever since.
My brother is a Chrysler mechanic, and HATES Cavaliers, so he's useless for help on my car. Which is why I need to do it on my own. Alot of the maintenance forums aren't exactly "How-To's" as they are "What do I do's". Other websites offer step-by-step instructions for car issues, this one tells you more along the lines of what is wrong with the car and that's it. I KNOW what is wrong with the car, I need a quck and easy way of fixing it.
Running a "Search" on problems isn't helping either. Most threads talk about what a problem COULD be, and where to go to get it fixed. I'm not into private garages and dealerships, since I know I'm quite capable of fixing things myself. BUT, I DO need to know exactly HOW to do it.
The PO440 code...I was told to go to a dealership and cry to them to fix it. I'd rather do it myself. So if you have any suggestions that can help me, by all means, please tell me.
The car itself is a REALLY nice car for being a '99 with 130,000. It's never been in an accident, and the paint is nice except for the rock chips in the hood and front bumper cover, and the faded B & C- pillars. The car was 100% for 3 years. I bought with 21,000 miles and I drove it too and from Boston (100 miles a day) every day for 2 1/2 years with no problems. This year it just seems to be getting tired.
So my question again is, do I take the time to repair the car or would you just pick up something different? Would it really be worth buying another '99 not knowing what it's been through in it's life?
Thanks again.
You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type
Im piety hard on my 2.4 and it running grate nothing broke yet but I all so baby it with the maintenance use high grade oil and change it a lot good gas and every thing like that only thing I have broken is the hub 2 time in one year but now I got sum relay grate hubs so I think your car gust wasn't well maintenanced
I don't know.... it sounds like the previouse owner didn't take care of it at all.. If you beat the crap out of the thing.... and never check or change the oil.... well any car is going to fall apart.... it's not your Z's fault... it's lack of maintenance.
The only problem I've ever had with the motor is with the coils going out... thats really common in 2.4's but easily fixable.,. Other than that.... I'm just always having problems with my Izuzu tranny.
I've never had any other problems with the car at all, and although I don't beat on it all the time... it's been in its fair share of races and just keeps going.
Since you already have a new motor..... check to oil on a regular basis, and make sure to change it when needed.. I change mine every 2k miles or 2.5 to 3 months... or if the oil just starts looking like it needs changed before then.
Just locate the other mechanical and charging problems, and fix them.. as for the code.... take it to a decent shop, have them find out exactly what is causing it, and either have them fix it, or do it yourself.
After you have to car working right and running good..... just take really good care of the thing.
If you need help fiquring out any mechanical problems... just ask in the Maintenance forum.
Again, the cars styling really has me for some reason.
Toyota's TRD Cavalier is by far the best one I've seen, and I'd love to clone it.
I've been researching some of the costs involved, and for a car as popular as the Cavalier, some of the costs are astronomical!! Fuel pumps are $150 for a '99 and for '95-'98 are $394!! Not sure why they changed after '98, but I'm glad I have the '99 version.
The engine mount that has the broken bolt is $180. The bolt doesn't appear to be an easy task for removal, so I'm thinking replacing the entire mount is the answer.
Control arms I hear are expensive, but are an easy fix and the new ones come with ball joints. So...how expensive are these things? The motor was $600, and I change the oil faithfully. Like I said, it just spun a bearing with no warning. The charging system was a headache, but after replacing the alternator and battery and cleaning all corrosion off the wires, it's been fine. Window motor is $50, not a big deal, just a hassle to replace. Thermostat is super cheap, but a chore and a half to replace.
So you see the cost of repair? On a '99? Now do you understand why I'm asking? It's really been a great car up until now, so I just have to question whether it's worth keeping and fixing or not. I'll keep the maintenance forum in mind. If anyone knows of other helpful sites keep me posted.
You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type
Donny Lowrida wrote:Again, the cars styling really has me for some reason.
Toyota's TRD Cavalier is by far the best one I've seen, and I'd love to clone it.
then get a 03-05 base coupe and swap front ends and build it with an eco
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I've been researching some of the costs involved, and for a car as popular as the Cavalier, some of the costs are astronomical!! Fuel pumps are $150 for a '99 and for '95-'98 are $394!! Not sure why they changed after '98, but I'm glad I have the '99 version.
while the car is popular there is the fact that in the tuner world traditionally this platform is diametrically opposed to popular
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The engine mount that has the broken bolt is $180. The bolt doesn't appear to be an easy task for removal, so I'm thinking replacing the entire mount is the answer.
talk to Shawn (BIGGSZ24) as he just dealt with this problem
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Control arms I hear are expensive, but are an easy fix and the new ones come with ball joints. So...how expensive are these things?
check an auto parts store, also look into the N body swap IIRC
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The motor was $600, and I change the oil faithfully. Like I said, it just spun a bearing with no warning.
If you bought the motor used then you could have unluckily bought someone elses old problems
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The charging system was a headache, but after replacing the alternator and battery and cleaning all corrosion off the wires, it's been fine.
a corrosion build-up will kill your charging system when left unchecked, this is a part of routine maintenance
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Window motor is $50, not a big deal, just a hassle to replace.
true, but if you do it right the first time it is easier to do later when your lifetime warranty motor dies. i keep an extra one handy so i can fix the motor asap and then swap it back out.
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Thermostat is super cheap, but a chore and a half to replace.
could be worse
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So you see the cost of repair? On a '99? Now do you understand why I'm asking? It's really been a great car up until now, so I just have to question whether it's worth keeping and fixing or not. I'll keep the maintenance forum in mind. If anyone knows of other helpful sites keep me posted.
to be honest i don't think you will find a better site out there for information for your beloved car, but you will not always like what you hear/read. i just spent aboot $500 rebuilding the front end components on my 86 burb and it was a PIA getting some of the 22 year old junk out of it but it is out of my love for it and i will only complain while i am working on it, once it is done i am in my happy place.
don't give up but definitely sit back and evaluate your options, there are definitely more than you think.
Thanks for the great ideas and pointers! Great advice, and ideas how tox certain items and where to go to get the parts. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Alot!!
You Must Be Fast, 'Cuz I Was Haulin' Ass When I passed You!!!
1999 Cavalier Z24 w/ Toyota Cavalier tail lights.
1988 Buick LeSabre T-Type
1983 Buick Regal T-Type
Wait, you're telling me it took you 4 alternators before you got the hint to replace the battery?
Dead batteries kill alternators!
2002 Cavalier 2200 5spd
