Hey guys, I currently drive an LT1 Camaro. However it's a little impracticable as a daily driver for my commute. I'd like to get something a little more fuel efficient (but still fun) as a daily driver.
I found a 2000 Z24 for sale in my area with 124k, new clutch, 5 speed, sun roof, k&n filter, cd player, black. It's pretty much everything I'd want. The asking price is $1800 but the guy said he'd take $1500 cash. The only problem he mentioned was that the car makes a "ticking" noise. I have been told that knocking is very severe, but a ticking could be an adjustment. I know that my old Honda would tick if it needed a valve lash adjustment. Though I don't know much about Chevy 4 cylinders. I'd hate to pick up a car that may seize up or die on me soon after owning it. I'd love to get some input on if I should go for the deal or not.
The owner was kind enough to send me a video of the engine running from his cell phone. I apologize for the quality.
Sounds quality isn't great, but from what I hear i'd say it sounds more like a knock than a tick.
Paul L wrote:Hey guys, I currently drive an LT1 Camaro. However it's a little impracticable as a daily driver for my commute. I'd like to get something a little more fuel efficient (but still fun) as a daily driver.
A Z24 is probably a good choice, as far as front-wheel drive econo 4 bangers go, its at, or near the top.
Paul L wrote: I found a 2000 Z24 for sale in my area
Hey! same car I have(well we all have) but I have the same year, trim level, colour..
Paul L wrote: with 124k, new clutch, 5 speed, sun roof, k&n filter, cd player, black. It's pretty much everything I'd want.
new clutch eh? probably recent, I bet the original conked out from nice, easy, everyday driving... .. .
that intake job is haggard, the hose clamp on the right is not on straight, and over tightened..
when that rubber intake elbow blows, your engine will be breathing unfiltered air
He should have gotten a bigger K&N as well, they come much larger and surface area is your friend
Paul L wrote:The asking price is $1800 but the guy said he'd take $1500 cash.
and desperate to sell? sounds like it...
Paul L wrote:The only problem he mentioned was that the car makes a "ticking" noise.
O great..
Paul L wrote:I have been told that knocking is very severe, but a ticking could be an adjustment.
did he tell you this??
Paul L wrote:I'd hate to pick up a car that may seize up or die on me soon after owning it. I'd love to get some input on if I should go for the deal or not.
I personally wouldn't, I would rather get a well cared for, completely stock, TAN(shudder) cavalier and paint it and change it to my liking, the right way
This one is most likely abused, and when the problems started showing up, the owner wants to sell.
Paul L wrote:The owner was kind enough to send me a video of the engine running from his cell phone. I apologize for the quality
Quality is too bad to diagnose, its not sounding promising though. Pick this one up if you want but be prepared to do work on it, it is almost inevitable...
The money you save not driving the camaro may very well end up going to a rebuild if you buy this guys headache...
eco swap. but seriously, be prepared to throw an engine in it, offer 800 or 1000
TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:Rod knock. Walk away.
That or talk him down even further and rebuild.
One way to make sure,check that oil for metal shavings,if its a rod its going to pollute the oil quickly.
First thing I said, "that's not a f'n tick, that's a damn knock".
Seriously, Cavaliers are a dime a dozen, and thats definitely a rod knock. Not worth getting a DD thats going to need a new motor from the get-go. Sometimes these things are too good to be true. This is one of those cases. Sorry bud, keep looking.
Hey i have that same intake on my Eco
TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:Rod knock. Walk away.
This.
Buy one that is 100% un-molseted. From a senior or something. That's what I did
I figured the deal was too good to be true. Guess I just needed someone to talk me out of it with some sense lol. They definitely are a dime a dozen in my area. However, finding all the options I want (5 speed, z24, sunroof) in my favorite color (black) is definitely a little more rare. Well I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for another one. If I didn't already have a plate full of projects, it'd be a nice car to build. Though I gotta remember that daily drivers are meant to be reliable ha.
blue02zee24 wrote:TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:Rod knock. Walk away.
That or talk him down even further and rebuild.
One way to make sure,check that oil for metal shavings,if its a rod its going to pollute the oil quickly.
This is not so. I have dealt with many 2.4 rod bearing failures on J's and non J's. They do not always sound like a rod knock, and they do not always have shavings in the oil.
I agree it sounds like a rod knock. If you could get the car for $800, and then use the rest fo the $1800 to buy a motor, then you would still end up paying the same and have a good car.
FU Tuning
Screaming for Mercy!! wrote:blue02zee24 wrote:TheSundownFire (GME Chat) wrote:Rod knock. Walk away.
That or talk him down even further and rebuild.
One way to make sure,check that oil for metal shavings,if its a rod its going to pollute the oil quickly.
This is not so. I have dealt with many 2.4 rod bearing failures on J's and non J's. They do not always sound like a rod knock, and they do not always have shavings in the oil.
I agree it sounds like a rod knock. If you could get the car for $800, and then use the rest fo the $1800 to buy a motor, then you would still end up paying the same and have a good car.
My opinion is that if that car is rod knocking that means that it hasnt been taken care of or has been beaten on. Id walk away just for that reason. But by all means if you can get it cheap and you have the ability to swap an engine then go for it.
Oh god yeah, thats a rod knock. A tick is what my girls car has right now, that my friend is a knock. Do like I did. I bought my girl a 96 Cavalier Ls Vert for 500 bucks, body was great, top was ok (normal rear window seperation) but it had the rod knock. Took it home, rebuilt the motors bottom end for about 400 bucks (new bearings, new crank, ect.) and shes driving the hell outta it now. Now, her engine still has a small tick, at low rpm's. So when taxes come around, im pullin the motor out of it, and installing a better one, then again rebuilding that one, as a spare since both of our cars take the same motor. So, all in all, great car for under 1000. My advice low ball the hell outta him, explain why, and see if he takes it. If not, walk away. If he does, take her home, buy a new crank kit, with bearings, and the rest of the parts, and install them, and call it a day. No problems! Goodluck!!
Paul L wrote:I figured the deal was too good to be true. Guess I just needed someone to talk me out of it with some sense lol. They definitely are a dime a dozen in my area. However, finding all the options I want (5 speed, z24, sunroof) in my favorite color (black) is definitely a little more rare. Well I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for another one. If I didn't already have a plate full of projects, it'd be a nice car to build. Though I gotta remember that daily drivers are meant to be reliable ha.
I think everybody missed this statement from Paul. He's too busy to rebuild a beaten on Cavalier just for a DD. What would be a fun project for one guy might be a nightmare for another when work/family/life in general get thrown in the mix. Keep looking, Paul, you'll find what you are looking for, patience is always the key.
That's a knock. The 2.4 is a less reliable engine then the 2.2. Before anyone starts complaining, I'd rather have the 2.4, and it's great as long as you don't race a stock car. I get better mileage in my Z24 then I did with my base Cav.
A ticking is what you hear out of cylinder 1 valves on a 2.2L.
Court Rutherford wrote:That's a knock. The 2.4 is a less reliable engine then the 2.2. Before anyone starts complaining, I'd rather have the 2.4, and it's great as long as you don't race a stock car. I get better mileage in my Z24 then I did with my base Cav.
A ticking is what you hear out of cylinder 1 valves on a 2.2L.
Yup, I have that exact tick your talking about too, especially with thicker oil.
Court Rutherford wrote:That's a knock. The 2.4 is a less reliable engine then the 2.2. Before anyone starts complaining, I'd rather have the 2.4, and it's great as long as you don't race a stock car. I get better mileage in my Z24 then I did with my base Cav.
A ticking is what you hear out of cylinder 1 valves on a 2.2L.
Or the injectors which are very clicky and noisy.
