2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Car will not start

Tiny
RYAN IN MEXICO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Hello,

The car is 2002 Cavalier. Some months back it has a serious overheating issue and I had to park the car. It overheated quite badly in the hot Mexican sun.
I came back to the bar some months later (I was not here in Mexico for awhile so it just sat). The battery was dead. I had the battery charged (supposedly) only to find they did not charge the battery. I connected it to my truck and boosted the car.
I was relieved to find the car turned over fine. So the motor was not seized. That was good news.
The car turns over but will not start. I checked for spark-there was spark.
I poured a little bit of gas in the air filter tube leading to the throttle body but that did not help. I fear it may be broken pistons. Could this be the problem or maybe the fuel pump? The fuel pump is not very old (a few years) but was changed here and parts are quite sub par from here in Mexico.
What I would like to know is if there is internal damage to the motor I will not repair the car and I will scrap it. If it is something like a fuel pump I will have it fixed. I would like to diagnose the car myself as mechanics here are not very good and can only take off and replace parts-they cannot seem to diagnose anything correctly other than changing parts and hoping that is the problem (even then not very good at replacing parts either). Would instant spray work better than pouring gas into the throttle body?
Can you please help me diagnose what the problem is before taking it to the mechanics?
I only have basic tools. I could, if needed buy a compression gauge if you think that is necessary to check the internal parts.

Please help,
Car stranded in Mexico
Ryan
Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 9:24 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check compression an dcheck fuel pressure with a gauge when you put fuel to start a car you need to do it right at throttle body. Choke cleaner will start it if it runs it's a fuel problem. If not scan for codes.
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
RYAN IN MEXICO
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you.
Ok so I will check compression with a compression gauge. However where/how do I connect/check the fuel pressure on the line? What should the compression per cyclinder be optimal/range and what should the fuel pressure be for this vehicle?
I will also try the choke cleaner to see if this starts the vehicle.

Thank you,
Ryan
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
RYAN IN MEXICO
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Also does the vehicle have to be running to check the fuel pressure? Or Can the key just be to the 'run' position?

Thanks
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Fuel pressure should be done at fuel rail with key on engine off 50-60 psi for vin F and vin 4 53-59 psi. Ith digit on vin number. Compression anything over 120 psi and within 20% of each other.
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
RYAN IN MEXICO
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you. Can you please tell me where the valve for testing the fuel pressure is? It is the twist off green cap near the back of the engine near the throttle body? It is a small cable/tube going to this connection. The fuel line is a hard line-maybe this connects somewhere along the fuel line?
I will test the compression and get a fuel pressure gauge and try throttle body cleaner to get it started and see what happens.

Thank you,
Ryan
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If you don't have a fuel rail going to the injectors on the manifold there should be a Schrader valve there to hook up to. The green cap is for pressurizing the evap system for leaks with a smoke machine. If there is no Schrader valve( looks like a tire valve) then you will need adapters to hook to the line.
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Friday, September 12th, 2014 AT 1:21 PM

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