My girlfriend acquired a 1996 Chevy Cavalier last year. Having been previously owned by several young teenage girls, and now herself in her mid 20's, you can guess the car has not been properly maintained. It now has close to 130,000 on the odometer and, according to her, is in dire need of a tune up. Below is the VIN number.

1G1JC124XT7194722

Can anyone tell me:

1. What kind of engine it has?

2. Is the iginition system electronically controlled?

3. What is the correct timing? Is it electronically controlled, or can I adjust it? If it's electronically controlled, do I need to bypass the ECU before adjusting the timing, and if so, where is the jumper located for the ECU?

4. Assuming it's not DOHC, how hard is it to adjust the valves, and what is the correct valve lash?

5. Asside from the usual tune up items - fuel filter, air filter, plugs, and plug wires, can anyone give any other tips, or specific things to look for.

6. What are the best spark plugs for this car?

Thanks in advance.

-HH

Well I don't know how to ready VIN's but I can tell you some stuff.

1. What kind of engine it has?

Pop the hood and read what it says on the intake. It will tell you what litre it is and then just count the spark plug wires to find out what cylinder it is. Like 2.1L 4 Cyl or what ever.

5. Aside from the usual tune up items - fuel filter, air filter, plugs, and plug wires, can anyone give any other tips, or specific things to look for.

I would look for burns, Broken wires, Worn wires, Check all the sensors, Timing cover, Oil leaks, Fuel Lines, Gas tank (dents), Brakes, alignment and that sort of stuff.

6. What are the best spark plugs for this car?

If you look under the hood there should be a sticker. On it it should show you the gaps you need, Timing, what belts you use, pressures, you name it. For the type of Spark plug. I would just ask your local parts place.

But in all honesty I would just go out and spend $25 bucks and buy a Manuel for the car. Everything that you would ever need will be in there for ya.

Hope that helps a bit.
Have a good one.

DD

130,000 on a 96.....damn that kind of makes me feel a little better about having 97,000 on my 94 z24.

Hehe.. i have a 1991 and I have just hit 230,000.

Two weeks ago I rebuilt it.. It looked great inside still.

She keeps going and going..