1998 Chevy Cavalier coolant leak/ head bolts

MMCAV98

MEMBER
1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
145,000 MILES

This car is a 2.2 ohv and it has a coolant leak, that I thought was head gasket, but now think it's a o ring on this tube at top of head on passangers side, but not sure. Is this common for this car?
I am replacing the valve cover gasket and want to tighten the head gasket bolts, because I'm there, and I do not know which are the long bolts, and which are short bolts. Also in haynes manual ( not very informative ) it says long at 46ft and short at 43ftlband then turn 90% more, is that right? After turning to recommended foot pounds turn another quarter turn?
And is it ok to replace the red antifreeze with green after flushing?

Saturday, December 8th, 2007 AT 2:28 PM

2 Replies

CZBONE

MEMBER
20 POSTS

Head bolts, long ones are on the inside under the valve cover and short ones are located on the outside near the exhaust ports. The factory manual also says to tighten the bolts an additional 90 degrees in sequence, same torque you stated in your message.

I would think coolant would be ok since you've flushed the system. Most coolants now have a statement on the front of the jugs that they're compatible with Dexcool and other coolants of different colors.

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Saturday, December 8th, 2007 AT 8:16 PM

MMCAV98

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2 POSTS

Thanks for the help on head bolts.
Does anyone know what that tube going from the drivers side to the passenger side and attaches to the head above the water pump is? Does it have a gasket? How many bolts does it have? Does anyone have a good picture of it? I think that is were the antifreeze leak is coming from.

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Sunday, December 9th, 2007 AT 1:31 AM