I drive a 99 cavalier z24. I have had a problem with it starting for the past couple of months. It would start whenever it wanted to. Wouldn't start...then two hours later, start no problem. It would start or woudln't start with or without a jump. Now I wasn't driving the vehicle when this happened but, it started making a clicking sound coming from the left side of the engine bay. It tried to die a few times while idling at spotlights, but if thrown into neutral and reved, it would stay running. Then it started a little louder clicking sound and died while pulling into a parking spot (low speeds again) It still had all lights and what not..and its got me miffed. The mechanic I brought it to, said it was the main bearing was gone..but he only looked at it for less than a 1/2 hour, and also admitted to me that he has a 96 cavalier that he could swap the motors from his to mine, and offered me 300 for a car worth like 4000 with the modifications done to it. It has 86,000 miles on it only. Someone please help!

Does it still move? Timing chains are a big problem around that year. I had to change the timing chain in my 97 2.2 and the clicking was a major signal that the timing chain was going. My brother had a 98 2.2 that had the same problem only his chain broke. Don't know if that's your situation or not but its a possibility.

it doesn't start, but it tries to roll over/

Do you get any type of engine code? Roll it down to the parts store and have them run a check for you.

This garage said it is the main bearing or rod, but I don't think so at all..he offered to buy my car and admitted he had a 96 and could use my parts...motive to lie much?