First, let me point out that I'm a Mopar/Jeep guy. I've never owned anything that wasn't a Mopar in my life, and in the past 7 years it's been strictly Jeeps. I've also never owned a car, period, and especially not a 4-cylinder. All that being said, my Wrangler is going to be out of commission for a little while with a busted block, and I'm not exactly loaded, so I had to go with the next option.
Somebody has given me a 1997 Chevy Cavalier. From what they said, when it was parked the only major thing that was wrong with it was that it needed a new timing belt/chain, along with some other small things. The problem now is that it has sat in that same parking spot for about 2 1/2 years now.
How much trouble do you think it will be to get this thing running? I'm thinking a little fuel stabilizer and a good oil change would probably be the first steps, but I don't even want to do that if it won't be worth it. Should I maybe run some mineral spirits through the motor to %26quot;flush%26quot; it out a bit? Do you think I'm going to have to drop the fuel tank and clean it out? What can I do if the fuel lines are gunked up with gas jelly? Any other potential problems you can think of?
It WOULD be really nice to have a point A to point B car that gets better mileage then my Jeep, and the car WAS given to me basically for free, but I'm still not sure if it would be worth the hassle.How much trouble will it be to get this car running?Well first of all u said the timing belt broke umm not good I'm guesing its a single overhead cam but if the timing belt broke depends on how long the car was runing and if its a. Zero clerence head could have bent a valve obvisily not good and as far as the gas tank problime nothing a litle fuel stabilizer and injector cleaner also a lot of seals on cars dry up when sitting for a long period of time and begine to leak when driven again also dry rot could have set in on the tires if left out side all in all if the head and valves checks out to be good then it shouldent be that much of a dent in your wallet and yes very good idea to change fluids in the car oil and lubricats break down after time I'm thinking bout 400 to 800 to wake it up at best if worse then their is a reasone for a car for being free not their haeadache any more now its yours if your like me 400 to 800 is lot to. Come up with that kinda money but keep it simple at first good luck hope I gave you better understanding.How much trouble will it be to get this car running?too much, ride the busHow much trouble will it be to get this car running?When the timing belt broke, You don't know if more was broken till you get into it. Your going to have to spend some money on this. How much of the work can you do your self? Do you have the car now? Being a Jeep guy myself, I'd sell the car to a salvage yard and see about getting a used engine for the Jeep. They may work with you on the price. These engines usually has a guarantee. Make sure you have a title for the car, most won't buy it unless you have one. You can look for a get around car later. good luck, KEEP ON JEEPINHow much trouble will it be to get this car running?depinding on what wrong with it might be agood deal if you would have giving me more info on what else was rong with the car i may have been beter help it may also be a bad deal after so long of sittinng there the hoses could be falling apart the gas tank could have rust in it.How much trouble will it be to get this car running?i would avoid taking this car due to not hearing tye engine run. If the belt broke or jumped, there is a possibility that the valve may have hit the piston and your back in the same boat as before with the jeep. There can be even more problems with the car sitting for over 2 years too. If it were such a good car, then why didnt the previous owner attempt to repair it when the price of fuel was so demanding for himself? I think there will be more problems than you think, and fuel related problems is just the beginning.
sorry..and good luck.
