If you're not comfortable with this level of car repair, take your Cavalier to a qualified mechanic. It's far less expensive to pay a professional than to replace a damaged engine.
However, if you're determined to proceed, here's a *general* overview of the steps involved. This is *not* a comprehensive guide and should be supplemented with a repair manual specific to your 1998 Chevy Cavalier's engine (either the 2.2L or the 2.4L). You'll need this manual for precise torque specifications, diagrams, and other crucial information.
Before You Begin:
* Consult a Repair Manual: A Haynes or Chilton manual for your specific year and engine is essential. These manuals provide detailed instructions, diagrams, and torque specifications.
* Gather Tools: You'll need a variety of tools, including wrenches, sockets, a timing belt tool kit (often includes crankshaft and camshaft holding tools), a jack and jack stands, and possibly special tools for your specific engine.
* Safety First: Work in a well-ventilated area. Wear safety glasses and gloves. Disconnect the negative battery terminal before starting.
General Steps (This is a simplified overview, consult your repair manual for specifics):
1. Preparation: Disconnect the battery, drain the coolant, and remove any components that obstruct access to the timing belt, such as the fan, fan shroud, and possibly other belts and pulleys.
2. Top Dead Center (TDC): Locate the TDC mark on the crankshaft pulley and/or camshaft sprockets. Your repair manual will show you exactly where to find these marks and how to accurately position the engine at TDC. This is CRITICAL for proper timing belt installation.
3. Remove the Old Timing Belt: Loosen the tensioner pulley (using the appropriate tool), remove the belt, and carefully note the belt's routing. Take photos if necessary.
4. Inspect Components: Examine the timing belt tensioner, water pump, and idler pulleys for wear and tear. Replace any worn or damaged parts.
5. Install the New Timing Belt: Carefully align the new timing belt with the marks on the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets, ensuring it's properly seated on all pulleys.
6. Tension the Belt: Use the tensioner tool to apply the correct tension to the timing belt. This is crucial; incorrect tension can cause the belt to slip or break. Refer to your repair manual for the proper tensioning procedure.
7. Reassembly: Reinstall all components you removed earlier, including the fan, fan shroud, and other belts and pulleys. Reconnect the battery.
8. Refill Coolant: Refill the coolant system with the correct type and amount of coolant.
9. Start the Engine: Carefully start the engine and listen for any unusual noises. Check for leaks.
Again, this is a highly simplified overview. Replacing a timing belt is a challenging task, and mistakes can be very costly. Use a repair manual specific to your 1998 Chevy Cavalier, and if you're not comfortable with the process, take it to a professional mechanic. The cost of repair will be far less than a damaged engine.
