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2000-2011 Chevrolet Malibu
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Comments
We purchased a 2003 LS, but not the leather option. Anyone know where to get custom (accounts for the steering wheel spoke and in the right color) leather wrap for the steering wheel. Not the one size fits all type at the auto parts store.
Thanks,
spratt1
I hear someone wants to know about brake problems. Hears one. I have (had) a 2000 Malibu. Recently the brakes started locking up on me. I'm not a car expert, but the way I descibe it is that the pads would make soft contact with the rotor. Just enough to make a skipping noise (just like if you were to run your finger along a plastic bowl that has just been washed) the front of the car would vibrate a lot and there would be sub-par braking power. I took it to the dealership twice and they said they couldn't find anything. There was a lull so I thought it was a kink that had worked itself out, then it started up again. I told the dealership (again) and it was scheduled to go in this Tuesday. The car must have heard me on the phone because of course, it didn't give me any trouble at all. Well, until Sunday that is. The brakes lock and this time virtually zero braking power. I went out into an intersection and got hit in the rear. Here is the funny part. The car got hauled away and later that day another wreck was put beside mine (well, the damage to my car wasn't bad enough to call it a wreck, yet). The other car apparently exploded and the flames spread to mine. I haven't seen it yet, but according to the police one side is black and the inside is melted. What can you do but laugh? Anyway, any ideas as to what the brake problem might be? Not that it really matter anymore, just curious.
List 22060.00. 3000 chevy rebate, 750 Phila area auto show rebate. Dealer takes 1870 off sticker. This brings me down to 16440. $5620 total off sticker. Than for some unknow reason GM sends me an email saying they are giving me a total of 2060 in rebate money to be used by Jan 31, 2003. (don't know why or how I got that incentive, I have a GM card, only 400 bucks in earnings previous to the GM gift). So needless to say, if I jump on this deal, the price will be down to 14380. I have a 1995 GMC Jimmy, Kelly blue book, and edmunds says I should get 4690 or so on a trade. Bottom line, does this sound like a good deal. And yes the dealer will give me 4700 for the Jimmy. So essentially, after all is said and done, I am paying about 9700 bucks total, counting the trade. Any input greatly appreciated. Thanks
Sticker on LS w/options = 21,600
less factory rebate = -3000
less our GM points = -3000
less dealer discount = -2500
------------------------------------------------
Total = $13100
They then gave me $16,600 for my trade
Result: They wrote us a check for $3500!
You are in that same ball park of a deal. Couldn't do much better.
toonzee: If you like the way it looks and rides, BUY IT!!!!! that's a great deal. The Malibu has gotten better since the late 2000 model year.
Good luck.
Has anybody had this problem, and how was it fixed. My way is to replace the pump, but parts and labor cost $800, and the TSB says weepage is normal.
Thanks for the info. Both my mechanic and the dealer state it is about 6-7 hours work shop manual book. However I called Chevy direct to see if they will pick up some of the cost. They will call me back in 2 days. Will keep you posted
I just thought that was very interesting.
The water pump kit is about $150, that is a new water pump too.
Water pump R&R is about 6 hours.
So figuring a high $85/hour, that brings it to $580,plus incidentals of about another $60
Which brings it to $640.
Now, the part that YOU should pay close attention to is the parts in the TSB I have made bold.
Water Pump Weep (Install Coolant Collector) #01-06-02-012 - (11/30/2001)
Water Pump Weep (Install Coolant Collector)
1996-1998 Buick Skylark
1996-2002 Chevrolet Cavalier
1997-1999 Chevrolet Malibu
1996-1998 Oldsmobile Achieva
1999-2001 Oldsmobile Alero
1996-2001 Pontiac Grand Am
1996-2002 Pontiac Sunfire
with 2.4L Engine (VIN T - RPO LD9)
Condition
Some owners may comment on leakage of a few drops of coolant after parking their vehicle. A technician may notice that the water pump may show a staining around the weep hole.
Cause
The occasional drop of coolant and the staining may be the evidence of normal coolant weepage. The weep hole prevents normal coolant weepage from accumulating around the bearing seal. For more information on this normal condition, refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 00-06-02-009.
Correction
Replacing the water pump for this normal weepage is likely to result in a repeat of the customer concern. To address customer concerns and promote customer satisfaction, a coolant collector has been developed to trap and absorb normal weepage of the pump. The coolant collector is a hinged, two-part collar that easily snaps around the neck of the water pump. Installing this new part is quick and effective and reduces unnecessary water pump replacement.
The coolant collector has a limited capacity to absorb coolant. If diagnosis with a pressure test of the coolant system indicates a failed pump seal, or if the customer concern is for coolant consumption, installing the coolant collector will not correct the condition.
Coolant Collector Installation
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information subsection of the applicable Service Manual.
Place the open hinged coolant collector around the narrow neck area of the water pump. Position the hinged portion towards the front of the vehicle. Close the coolant collector, ensuring the tongue enter the latch. Exert pressure to lock the coolant collector in place until an audible click is heard, which ensure retention.
Lower the vehicle.
Parts Information
The coolant collector is available as part of an updated water pump kit and is also available separately.
Part Number Description Qty
12573729 Coolant Collector 1
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation
Description Labor Time J3701
Water Pump, Coolant Collector - Install 0.3 hr
Intake manifold gasket leaking coolant.
$690 repair plus additional cost of oil and coolant change.
And use the "I know what I want".
Also, i had a coolant leak also. It was a long time ago though. I still had under 36000 miles, cause it was fixed under factory warranty. Not only did i have a coolant leak, but from the same spot, they said i also had a oil leak. They replaced something, and tightened something else, and fixed. Haven't come up again since. Now i have 120,000 miles.
Also, some very sad news. I have detected my first rattle in my car the other day. It's soft almost faint, but I can still hear it.
I know it, but like the girl who sits next to me in the office says, "Honda or Toyota or nothing". Can't change her mind no matter what.
http://www.jdpa.com/presspass/pr/pressrelease.asp?ID=2002040
It's still nice to see that Malibu has improved.
Who knows? Either way it is a nice award for Malibu. It appears GM is starting to get their act together. But only time will tell. Of course their sales were down 2% ths past January.
In reference to dtownfb, you are right. The Malibu is NOT in the same category as the Camry of Accord. It needs its own category, as it costs sooo much less, but is possibly better!
Oh, and make sure you are not somewhere where other drivers would shoot you for having your blinker on for that long without actually turning!
We just returned from a 300 mile round trip to Tyler, Texas (from Dallas). I have recently rented a Camry for a similar round trip to College Station for work. The Malibu was just as quiet on highway and around town (except engine when floored for passing - big deal). Power was better with Malibu. Malibu ride was just as compliant, but better in that it was tighter and not as "floaty" as the Camry. Much better road feel with the Malibu. Overall, Malibu was definetly better. Accord ride (I test drove one before getting the Malibu) was rougher, though slightly better handling. I NEVER thought I would say this about a GM car. No comparison when $ is factored in.
1)During the last 2K miles I found the gas mileage has decreased from about 25~26 mpg to 22~24 mpg (highway/local drives about 50/50, and I've made a 400 mile trip during the Christmas, and only got 25~27 mpg for pure highway drive, which is way lower than the 29~30 mpg I got in similar situations before). It could not be because of the weather, since I've seen no similar such things in the previous winters (I live in Michigan). Several days ago the Check Engine signal came out, but the next day it disappeared totally. I am wondering whether this is a problem and whether it causes the mpg decrease. Also is it possible that some service job, like engine tune-up can possible solve the problem (mpg decrease). If anyone of you have had a similar experience or know what is going on please give me a suggestion.
2)I want your suggestions on whether to take the car to the Chevy dealers or other shops. My impression with the Chevy dealers is that they have very rigid schedules (not open on Saturdays) and usually charges more, but maybe they can give more authentic service and genuine parts.
Thanks in advance for your kind suggestions and reply.
2) Malibus are not difficult to maintain. I would go to a private mechanic after the warranty is up. Cheaper and just as good.
I did have the EGR valve replaced on my 1989 Tempo. the only signal I received was the car stopping at a traffic light in the middle of a busy highway in Jersey. Drove for 2 and half hours and the car decides to fail then. Shut the car off then re-started it with our any trouble. Later found out that the EGR valve failed and all the gunk built up and block the fuel from getting to the engine. Who knows? Most of that cost was cleaning not replacing the valve.
I would ask your mechanic to take a look at it the next time you get it serviced. NO harm in getting it diagnosed.
So, I got rid of it and bought a 2002 Nissan Altima 3.5SE 5-speed. I have now rediscovered the joy of driving, with the VQ 3.5 engine, one of Ward's Top 10 engines in the world.
ps: In the same week, my wife traded her 2000 Sunfire for a 2001 Nissan Sentra!
Thanks for your help.