Anyone know roughly how long these engines go before they need a rebuild or are completely worn out? A bargain cavalier is for sale but it has over 100k on the clock. I think that isn't worth worrying about but my other half begs to differ. He thinks it will be knackered and want rebuilding by 120k which isn't that far away....
Are either of us right?
teabelly
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A good indication of the condition of these engines is the condition of the cam, is that's not too worn (it may be visible through the oil filler cap, otherwise they are harsh and tappy with wear) on the high parts of the cam lobes, you'll probably get another 100k with regular oil changes, all things being equal...
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A 95 cavalier will be ridden with rust. Check out the wheel arches.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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A 95 cavalier will be ridden with rust. Check out the wheel arches. ------------------------------ TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
I also disagree. I've got a 1994 Astra diesel with 200,000 miles on the clock. There's no rust in it at all and it still runs very well indeed.
SOHC Vauxhall engines are very robust, and as long as they're serviced properly and not seriously abused there's no reason why it can't do another 100,000 miles or more....
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Get an emissions read out on it. They are long life engines, temprement in the cooling dept make sure you check all the hoses, collant cap and rad.
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Thanks for all the info everybody. I shall pass on the good news. I know there was an issue with head porosity around the 120k mark on some of the K/L reg engines but it shouldn't apply to this late model one which may explain why people have said they need to be rebuilt.
The only other issue that concerns me is the water pump and cambelt. The owner said it was changed by the previous owner at 80k but these are the years I think there was an issue with plastic cam idlers or some such distengrating or water pumps failing and pinging off the belt and bending valves. Fingers crossed it is all ok...
teabelly
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"A 95 cavalier will be ridden with rust. Check out the wheel arches" I disagree! Vauxhall seem to have properly sealed Cavalier rear wheel arches from L reg onwards I've yet to see a L, M or N Cavalier with rusty (from the inside out) rear arches. Apart from the rear arches most other areas are pretty rust resistant. Doors, wings & floor pan are pretty well sealed for an eighties designed car. My F Reg (with moderately rusty arches!) is still going strong at 185,000 miles but it has had oil changes every 4,500 miles. Frequent oil changes are the key. Rest of the car is as tough as old boots.
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I had an M reg cavalier, so did several of my colleagues. Some bought them after.
All developed rust around the rear wheel arches both in front and behind the wheel.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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"All developed rust around the rear wheel arches both in front and behind the wheel."
I'm not surprised - I had a G reg SRi saloon from new - the rust marks coming from behind the welds showed up plainly on the white paintwork. When I complained, the Service manager of the main agent intimated that I didn't care, as it was just a company car - when I showed him the touched up stone chips, he was a bit more sympathetic, but still didn't do anything...
Otherwise it was an excellent car; I often got 40mpg on long, fast runs.
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I had an f reg sri with a boot loved the car but the n/s rear wheelarch bubled up on mine and i always kept mine clean too it was a design fault where two panels came together and were not protected good enough against water encroachment and er finally rust
--
\"a little man in a big world/\"
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Currently running a '95 cav, 198000miles, 37-40mpg, a little rust on one arch, never done anything special to it, oil changes as directed, usually below 9000 miles, only problems have been sticking track rod ends when getting the tracking done. Otherwise routine maintenance.
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>>problems have been sticking track rod ends when getting the tracking done.
When doing these, especially on older Vauxhalls, I tend to take off the track rods completely (the clever steering rack design makes this a simple operation), and free them up on the bench rather than fiddle about under the wheelarch. Much easier, and quicker more often than not.
Number_Cruncher
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My 1990 1.8 Cavalier went to 186,000 miles before needing any significant engine work (head gasket failure) - always gave around 40 mpg on mixed work, bit better on motorway driving. I think the 1995 engine was much the same block, but with single point fuel injection rather than the carb. as on mine.
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I used to sell cavaliers until recently. Dont be afraid of this mileage if it sounds sweet - they are very strong engines and well capable of giving further service at over 100k - how much more depends on previous maintenance and luck.
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We decided against the one we saw but know we know that they're good for much higher mileages I'll think we'll wait for a well looked after example to appear. The one we saw was rather worse for wear and gave out the uncared for potential money pit vibe rather too much :-)
teabelly
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I had my Dad's H reg 2.0 CD - over 40 mpg if treated nicely, and both rear arches had been done at about 8 years old. Good drive, great mile-eater and one I'd have again.
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