20th Jun 2001, 12:47

I have a 1997 Chevy Malibu and also have a problem with the coolant. I have already replaced the brakes and now have a "high end" repair problem with the pistons. I have less than 55,000 miles on this auto. There was a bulletin issued about the pistons June, 1998, yet no recall. Are there others with this similar problem?

1st Jul 2001, 19:18

I have a 1998 Malibu LS, and I am having the same problem that the other owners are having. Every time I start my Malibu after it has been sitting long enough to completely cool, and I restart it, it sounds like there are taps coming from under the hood, kinda sounds like lifters sounded in older cars. My car is still under warranty, so I am going to take it in and have it checked, and that way when they finally go out, I have documented proof that I have taken it in, that way they can change it after the warranty ends.

13th Aug 2001, 10:24

I have a love/hate relationship with my 1997 Malibu LS - I bought the car new in 1997 and I too, have had constant problems with the cooling system.

Amazingly, AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT, the dealer "found a hairline crack" in the intake manifold (and/or gaskets). This explained the possibility of an "internal" leak of the coolant, since no fluid had ever appeared on the ground (garage, parking lots, etc). Before I had this fixed, the coolant low light came on every 3 months (FOR 4 STRAIGHT YEARS!!) like clockwork. So far it's been 6 months since the repair job, and no problems with the coolant since. I also agree that there should be a recall for this coolant problem.

25th Nov 2002, 23:47

To everyone having a problem with coolant and water missing or unexplained overheating with no visible leak. GET THE HEAD GASKETS CHECKED NOW. We have taken our 97 Malibu in every other month for the last 6 months trying to find the leak. It found it's self for us. The engine is gone. Cost for new engine $3,500.00. The car is barely worth that. We have also had the many other problems others have had. Control arms, A/C cutting off, blower working only on 3, 4, & 5, the whole braking system, batteries, alternator's, brake and headlamps fill with water, basically the whole front end has been replaced not only 1 time somethings up to 4 times. This doesn't include the inside of the car.

15th Jul 2006, 09:15

I have a 1997 Malibu that I bought used and I loved it, but very bad things started happening after I had the car inspected. The technician tells me coolant is getting into the engine so I took it to my local shop. They replaced the head gaskets, but then various clips started breaking, then the water pump went. Finally put her back together and she didn't run right cause he didn't route the plug wires properly.

Then she developed a ticking noise which wasn't there before. My guy took it apart and replaced the push rods, lifters and rocker arms, but the ticking was still there and he couldn't find the problem, so I had her flat-bedded to the dealer and they diagnosed the problem as a bent valve and push rods.

So far I have put over two grand in this car and I can't do this anymore cause I'm going broke. She's a wonderful car, but continuing engine problems has soured me on Chevy sedans. Please do your homework before committing to any first year Chevy cars.