Conference terri::cars_uk

Is your SRi the 2.0 16v, coz if it is then yes, it will run hot. In any
sort of jam, my 16v Calibra will wind itself up to 95 deg, then the fan
comes in, the temp drops, the fan cuts out, the temp rises, the fan cuts
in,... Don't worry, my Calibra's done 129K miles and the engine is still
sound.

Clive

    My Astra SRi gets seriously hot also, in the slightest traffic jam. 
    The bonnet gets very hot, and creates oodles of steam when its raining. 
    Very embarassing.
    
    Interestingly - I also get an odd knocking noise from the back of my
    Cavalier, especially at low speeds when cornering or braking.  I
    htought maybe it was the fuel sloshing around, buts its a very 'solid'
    noise.           
    
    Mikef

    I had three Cavaliers and they all emitted knocks and groans from the
    back end. This was particularly noticeable on cold mornings. It really
    was as if the joints were stiff until they had moved around a bit.
    
    Yes the 16v Cavalier and Calibra I had would run the fan in a jam but
    not on a 4 or 5 mile journey. The fan only ever ran in traffic jams not
    during normal motoring. Does yours have a problem? Dunno.
    
    Andrew

re.0:

The occassional knock could be the exhaust system connecting with the back axle.
If it is, it's very easy to fix (<2 minutes up on a ramp).

Dave.

    Where's the back axle on a Cavalier then?!
    
    ;-)
    Dan

re.5:

Party pooper!

OK, it could be the exhaust system connecting with the rear suspension assembly.

Dave ;-)

    >>Where's the back axle on a Cavalier then?!
    
    I've got a rear axle on my '91 Cavalier 16 valver! That had a
    knocking somewhere at the back!  Turned out to be unrelated to the
    back axle but was caused by the heavy twin-piped rear box moving
    around and connecting with the chassis.  RE the 'overheating', my
    cooling fan has come on more often in traffic lately, I've put it down
    to the higher ambient outside........also Vauxhall 16 valve engines do 
    seem to run hot.
    
    Paul
      

    An engine is definitely better off running hot than the opposite. And
    95C is perfectly OK.                                            

Hi,

My old Cavalier (J reg) had a similar knocking from the rear end, the
main dealer said "not to worry", turns out to be a loose rear shock
absorber that would have come detached in the near future (The car was
brand new at the time and was returned to the dealer twice.

I suggest you get a second opinion quickly (I'm glad I did).

\Graham 

    Thanks for the feedback folks.
    
    The SRi is the standard model, NOT 16V.
    Its been into the Vauxhall dealer with both problems.
    They say the engine does tend to run hot. My concern is that it heats
    up too quickly.
    Thanks for the suggestions about the knocking but the garage report
    they have checked shock absorbers and exhaust. They have also road
    checked it, with no success. I am beginning to think it occurs under
    light loading only.
    
    I'll bring the problems up again at the next service.
    Once again, thanks for the interest.
    Phil.
                       

    My Astra GTE (same engine) went through an overheating cycle at one
    time.
    
    If I remember correctly, a broken thermostat caused a slow loss of
    coolant until what was left couldn't cool the engine quick enough. It
    used to heat up fast, but was ok whilst moving, but would boil at the
    traffic lights! That's when I found out what the vents in the GTE
    bonnet are for.
    All was fine after a new thermostat, but it always ran on the hot side.
    
    Nothin' to do with my driving , (NOT!)
    
    Dave

    As a slight aside, my father has a few probs with his Cavalier 2.0i GL
    (on an H plate).
    
    The brakes were VERY responsive (careless application of the pedal
    resulted in teethmarks in the dashboard). We suspected warped discs,
    since it did have a strange, very quick 'on-off' feel to it (no it
    doesn't have ABS!). I have since heard it has had complete new brake
    assemblies (yoowwch expensive) and still the problem
    persists. We now suspect the car has been kerbed severely in its 3 year
    past.
    
    Would anyone care to comment on any similar problems?
    
    Dan
    P.S. Garage are currently looking into the front suspension condition!

    re.-1
    
    Update : It's sorted. They had thought just swapping the discs would
    suffice, but in the end the car needed new hubs, discs, calipers,
    bearings, etc on one front wheel.
    
    As suspected, the car was probably severely 'curbed' some time in its
    past. It's all fine now.

    
    Seems like as good a place as any for a cavalier problem, but mods,
    please feel free to move it if I'm wrong....
    
    '95 N reg Cavalier SRi 16V....
    
    loud to quite loud "squeaking" type noise can be heard when driving,
    but is not continuous.  Goes away when:
    breaking
    accelarating (sometimes)
    standstill
    turning a corner (sometimes)
    going straight ahead (sometimes)
    
    Unable to decide wether it comes from the front or back.  It is not the
    exaust problem that has been mentioned before (back mounting comes
    loose, vibration under load) 'cause I've had that + know the fix.
    
    Took it to the garage when it started to happen.  Mechanic heard it
    while the car was on the move, but nothing when the car is stationary.
    Got the usual "bring it back when it happens again / carn't find it if
    it dosn't squeak for me now" reply.
    
    Got a feeling it might be: rubbing disk/brake pad ( as breaking gently
    seems to stop the noise, but coasting dosn't ) or maybe a wheel bearing
    ?? on its way out.  Possibly loose belt of some type, but all looks OK.
    The car still drives OK, no warning indicators etc.
    
    The wife is driving the car at the moment and she gets this noise as
    well so it's not my driving !!  Car not due for service for another 3K
    ish miles.
    
    Anybody got any offers/been there before ???
    
    Regards,
    
    - MARK -
    

    Topic title changed from "Cavalier SRi overheating/knocking" to allow
    for general discussion/problems etc of this model.
    
    Royston$mod

    I have exactly the same problem with my December 1994 Cav (not Sri)
     
    It started straight after the pads were changed, though the garage say
    they can't find a problem.  In my case long in town driving (i.e. regular 
    use of the brakes for >30 minutes) temporarily cures the problem.  As
    the garage is across town, thsi could be why they can't see it.  Also,
    turning to left increases the noise slightly, an to right decreases it.
    
    I have fixed mine temporarily by turning the radio up and keeping the
    passenger side window closed, and will get it fixed properly when next
    in the UK and have it serviced by someone I trust (should there be a
    smiley here?)
    
    Have you recently had any work doen in the brakes, or driven over
    dusty/gravelly road?   
    
    BTW if it is a piece of dust/grit in the pads, this can often be
    removed by gentle braking whilst reversing.
    
    Good luck
    C
    
    

RE: last couple

My June 95 Cav. GLS has the same problem. Gone in for service today.

I'm sure I'll get the, "we couldn't make it squeak so we can't fix it"
or indeed, the "fixed it sir" answer. The latter usually followed by the 
problem recurring on the homeward journey.

The squeaking problem appears to occur either
1. after a motorway run
2. immediately after the car is parked.

However, it could be there all the time, but due to the windnoise from the 
ill-fitting rear door, (which they couldn't fix last time), I probably cannot 
hear it.

Other problems occurred so far on the vehicle are
1. Poor reception on radio (fixed - new earthing strap)
2. Grating noise from n/s/f wheel on full lock (fixed - protruding plate)
3. windnoise from n/s/r door (inner trim needs replacing)
4. Very nasty clunking from rear suspension (fixed + recurred)
5. Air con didn't work initially (fixed by keep trying for two weeks)

In for fixes today
Numbers 3 and 4 from above
6. Nasty clicking from o/s/f door on opening/closing
7. Engine Management system broken
8. Squealing from heating system when blowers on

regards
John
 

    Hi Chris,  (-2)
    
    The car is reversed out the garage every day %*(, it first started to
    squeak when I was stuck in the usual M6 B'ham traffic one morning (as
    far as I can remember),  no dusty roads or work to the brakes as the
    car has only had one service and has only done 14k miles.  Thanks for
    the advice.
    
    -1  and I thought I had problems %*)....  
    
    Will probably wait for the next service and get them to give it a good
    check over/strip down unless I can suss out the problem/goes
    away/warning light/etc...
    
    Regards,
    
    - MARK -
    

RE: .17

FYI they claim to have fixed the intermittent squeak from the n/s/f wheel by 
moving the "backing plate for the brake".

as for the rest of the fixes, Botchway Motors surpassed themsleves once 
again, why am I not surprised ?

>>3. windnoise from n/s/r door (inner trim needs replacing)
Vaux. "We need to order the parts sir", 
Me    "You said that last time"
Vaux. "We'll be in touch in two days"
Me    "You said that last time, what's different this time ?"
Vaux. "We will, really"

>>4. Very nasty clunking from rear suspension (fixed + recurred)
Fixed, again. 
Vaux. "No idea why this came back again sir". 
Me    "will it come back again ?"
Vaux. "No idea sir"

>>6. Nasty clicking from o/s/f door on opening/closing
Fixed, loose stop strap. Success !!. One fix, no quibbles. Sorted.

>>7. Engine Management system broken
Vaux. "The light wouldn't come on when we tried it sir, so we couldn't do 
anything. So just keep driving and let us know if it comes on again"

>>8. Squealing from heating system when blowers on
Vaux. "What noise sir ?"

To cap it all, radio security invoked (probably as a result of doing nothing 
about the engine management light), and it took me ages to find the 'safe 
place' I'd out the code.

regards
John