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Comments
My guess is there may be a part of the exhaust that it rubbing against the floorpan somewhere, transmitting noise and vibration into the cockpit. There also may be something wrong with the resonator. If that doesn't fix the problem, there may be something wrong with the engine.
Whatever you do, do not delay in getting this fixed -- your car is under warranty and you don't want to ket a major problem continue if you plan to keep the car for any length of time.
One thing to ponder, next time you get a car like this -- the 3 speed auto is really only good for city driving. The amount you saved in the initial price will be wuickly used up in additional fuel costs. And a 4-speed is much more responsive.
I need to hold down the key for a few more seconds to start the car. I can hear the starter is trying to turn. The problem does not always happen.
The problem happens after freeway driving, in the morning. Once a day. Anyone has this experience?
Thanks
it is extremely well built. I have a 99 prizm of which nothing has gone wrong. It has been flwless from day one as far as build quality.
the motor is strong and powerful for a car this size and is ultra smooth.
My negative comments would be limited to...
small inside (duh, its a small car and I am finding I would like to go back to a bigger car).
brakes could be a tad stronger
stock tires suck.
soft suspension and steering sould be quickened.
heater warms slow in winter compared to larger cars.
Minor stuff. If I sell it soon, I would just simply be doing so to get a bigger car, like a Taurus. Otherwise it is a fine car.
Pros- good fit and finish, Superior ride for its class, lively engine.
Cons-
Pros- good fit and finish, Superior ride for its class, lively engine.
Cons- CHEAP TIRES! to describe the base radio in a word, CRAP. Everything else is built pertty well in this car. Overall, Great car.
Is this a "normal" noise other Prim's have? Anyone else have this noise?
My A/I light is also ALWAYS on when you are on Window Defrost mode - should it be?
When I first start my car, it idles at 1400-1600rpm for 2 minutes before dropping down to 900-1100. Is that normal? (Oh, I live in Michigan where it's been 0 degrees)
I can't recall hearing any rhythmic noises. Engine is louder when it's cold, but once it has warmed up, you can not hear it inside the car until about 40 mph.
As for the idle speed. 1400-1600 rpm is normal. It's programed to idle at higher speed until the engine warms up. Because a cold engine produce is when it's least efficient, that's why it's programed to idle higher to warm up faster. It's listed in the Toyota's owner's manual, don't know about Chevy's. Once it's warmed up (you can watch the engine temperature gauge), the idle speed should drop to just below 1000 rpm.
dad said most likely timing belt,i can exept that but then the mechanio
said the engine was most likely,ruined?bent valves,pistuz?
it ran perfect till then,is my engine realy damaged cause of belt/slipage breakage?oh its a 95 1.6l manual.Help
he said about 2 grand to "rebuild the motor to manufacures specs"Any sugesstions
come on toyota (geo,whatever this car is)gm,toyota,or geo
I'll venture to say that in 100,000 miles of driving, the repairs to a Cavalier will end up costing more than the maintenance on a Prizm.
$400 est if it did it could be up to
$1800 which i dont have either im a poor 21 year old.my mechanic told me
its definetly the belt but wont know till next week if it damaged the motor?i still owe about $2500 o the prizm up till now i cant complain and i also noticed a valve clerance adjustment that wasnever done can that cause problems ,any advice thanks tommy
theres no need cause there hidralic lash?or something, should i go to a different mech.seems like he contrdicts what u say any advice
found out the perizm is a toyota design, and in the past hes worked on my american cars i dont think he knows much about these little rice rockets?
By all means, take the car to a mechanic familiar with Toyota engines.
So your engine should not bend valve when the timing belt brakes. The engine will just die, and you come to a rolling stop. You probably has to get the belt replaced, and probably the water pump as well. From now on, be sure to replace your belt at 60K miles as PER instructed.
Good luck.
valve clearance adjustment,it was also never done,could that of caused a problem thatnks again any ideas?
If you look at the engine and the heatshield, you probably will spot some Japanese label and warning of some sort.
If you are still not 100% certain, look at this web page.
http://www.gates.com/shared/brochure.cfm?brochure=30
Open up the .pdf file, and look under the Geo section. Notice the Geo Prizm are not listed with a (*), indicating it's not an interference design. So rest easy. The valves are not bent.
Not 100% certain what they do to the valve at your 6K valve adjustment (I don't own a Prizm, got a 99 Corolla, and haven't noticed any 6K valve adjustment). It's most likely for tune up, to make sure the engine run clean and efficiently like new. Even without the tune up, the valve's condition shouldn't change much, or at least not enough to make an free-running (non-interference engine) become interference.
There is a small possibility that when the belt beaks, the broken pieces might do some collateral damage. With luck, it didn't do anything bad or get caught in something else. Talk to your mechanic and find out for sure. Or even get a 2nd opinion from another mechanic you trust if you think the first one is trying to rip you off. Good luck.
Hey everyone. Anyone own a 90-93 Prizm? While the 94-95 ones do not use an interference engine (as per Toyota corolla engine), the 90-93 Prizm DOES use an interference design, (the 90-93 Corolla does not).
Was the 90-93 Prizm not based on the Corolla? Or did GM use a GM engine for the 90-93 Prizm?
The more I research this it appears that many owners of 98 and 99 Prizm's (and Corolla) have cars with defective airbags or sensors. Unless it is reported, GM will not have to correct the problem and the owners will be stuck with the bills. There is currently no TSB or recall on this problem.
I have geo prizm 1996 basic trim. I got it as a used one and don't have the manual. I would like to change the pre-set radio stations but cannot figure out how. The radio is stock one, no cassette, CD. Any idea? Thanks.
On my way to 400,000...............
If you are really getting 17MPG then there is something wrong with the car. I average between 25-35MPG on the 95 and 27-37 on the 99. I do have 4 spd auto. The 3 spd will get less MPG but not alot less. Are you recording the amount of gas and miles used and determining mileage correctly?
You mentioned each button can hold 2 pre-sets for FM stations. How do you achieve that?
For your info, my radio does not have an electronic tape deck w/a wanna be equalizer. Radio only!
Thanks.
I don't want to rip my car apart trying to put a system in there that doesn't fit correctly.. Also, Anyone have any comments on how long these cars run? Mine has 82k miles on it, Hoping I don't have to replace an engine anytime soon!
How long will Prizm last? As you probably know the Prizm motor is exactly same as Corolla motor and Corolla has reputation as one of the most reliable cars made. Should easily last 140-175K with routine maintenance, and some last 300K or longer.
My next question is how does one set the blasted clock and station presets? I have the Geo radio/tape setup. I can't figure it out. Help!
I loved the car. It was well built, fit and finish was good. The 1.6L engine got a little loud at 75-80mph, but it did OK. No shakes or vibration in steering. It was a solid car for its size and weight. As soon as I bought it, I replaced the 175/65-14 tires with Firestone FT70C 185/65-14. Good tires in ice and snow.
I bought and put on MOLDED front splash guards from Toyota dealer. I just told the guy I needed splash gurds for a '95 Toyota Corolla. GM dealer did not carry any type of splash guards for Geo.
My two complaints with Geo Prism were; slightly small room that got to me on 2-4 hour trips, specially lack of room to stretch my left leg. I am 5 9 and 185 Ibs. I don't know how taller people can take these small cars. the second complaint was the heater, it never heated up decently. I took it to the dealer twice and I was told the heater was working as designed!! Well, the dealer was worthless. They did not know and did not want to work on it. My sister's Tercel had an excellent heater.
Geo Prism is built on the same assembly line as Toyota Corollas are. The cars are built in a joint venture between GM and Toyota. With the exception of skin; fenders, bumpers, doors, headlights, and taillights the cars are identical.
I was getting 32(doing 75MPH)or 37 doing 60 MPH on highway. If your are looking for a good small car, Geo Prism is a good choice. Toyota reliability at Chevy Cavelier price.
Good luck finding a good one.