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04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec


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Lando713
New User

Dec 9, 2012, 8:22 PM

Post #1 of 7 (3758 views)
04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

First timer here looking for some insight. Drove my car home from work on Thur. turned it off, did not move again. Fri. morning went out to start and just cranked. The problem is definitely electrical (spark). Called local mechanic, and had him pick it up. Called Sat. and told me timing chain may have broke. Had not even removed valve cover. So a question? Would have felt symptoms of this problem? I am having trouble believing that overnight my car would have just stopped. Car has run fine. I am considering having the car towed back to my house so I can further troubleshoot the potential problem on my own. What are some basic troubleshooting steps I can take? Thanks for all your potential help...


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 9, 2012, 8:27 PM

Post #2 of 7 (3748 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

For something like that would be a compression test......But if the chain had broken you would have been able to tell just cranking it.....No compression is a pretty obvious sound, even to a lay person...

How did you determine it was an electrical problem


(This post was edited by Sidom on Dec 9, 2012, 8:28 PM)


Lando713
New User

Dec 9, 2012, 8:31 PM

Post #3 of 7 (3742 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

By electrical I meaning spark. I am getting fuel. Tried starting fluid and nothing just cranked.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 9, 2012, 8:38 PM

Post #4 of 7 (3733 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

Well, if you are going to take it home, pull the codes. Take the oil cap off & see if you can see the rocker arms, if you can have someone crank the engine and see if they move.
Grab a test light & check ALL the fuses in both boxes, check your owners manual if you don't know where they are. There is usually one under the hood & one inside on the drivers side.

After that you are going to need to get some tools to test for spark & fuel....

What exactly did they tell you?......They said broken chain....not jumped time?


(This post was edited by Sidom on Dec 9, 2012, 8:39 PM)


Lando713
New User

Dec 9, 2012, 8:52 PM

Post #5 of 7 (3710 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

Yes I was told that the timing chain may have broke. But I know the valve cover was not removed. When I cranked the car it sounded fine. No distinct sounds during cranking. So I dont understand how it could have been diagnosed as a timing chain. I know a little about cars, by no means am I a expert. Wouldn't have felt symptoms even if it was stretched?


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 9, 2012, 9:54 PM

Post #6 of 7 (3693 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

Well...I'm not there, but going off your post, this does sound a bit strange. Normally you would of expect a bit of noise leading up to this. If the chain is broken it would definitely sound different when you cranked it. You really don't see broken chains very much, they go bad due to tensioners, guides,,,they get loose,,,they jump.

If you don't have the tools to check this out, you may want to get a 2nd opinion or have the 1st place show you the broken chain.....whether it's by the rocker arms not moving when cranked, using a boroscope, a dead compression wave form on a scope or zero compression on a cyl.

At a minimum you would at least want to check all your fuses and have the codes pulled. After that you are going to want to check for spark with a spark tester, injector pulse with a noid light & fuel pressure with a gauge.....


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 10, 2012, 4:15 AM

Post #7 of 7 (3672 views)
Re: 04 Cavalier 2.2 Ecotec Sign In

Did you happen to ask him what led him to believe the timing chain was bad?



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