2005 Cobalt LS

[Sirius]

That's one of those things that's typically not difficult to do and usually not terribly expensive...yet people will just deal with faulty struts. I changed the ones on my G8 as soon as I got it. The deck lid would slam down at least as hard as yours did, now it operates much like yours does now.

[95naSTA]

Nice. I also did them on my M5 not too long after I got it. It wasn't as violent but still not great, safe or good for longevity.. I think the folks who don't replace these on a daily are the same folks who ride around with the high-beams on because one of their headlights are burnt out.

[Sirius]

I think the folks who don't replace these on a daily are the same folks who ride around with the high-beams on because one of their headlights are burnt out.

Snorted water when I read that.

[95naSTA]

I had a nice $0 fix on this the other day. My windshield washer fluid was barely reaching my wipers.. There were no cracks in the lines so I pulled the nozzles to clean them. Sure enough they were clogged. All I did was shot brake clean through them and now they're working perfectly.

I'm also utilizing the outdated MP3 CD functionality I have now with the replaced head unit. The original HU with the burnt out display only had a regular CD player. That's probably all I'll need for a while. The Pioneer system with the factory sub in the trunk is surprisingly good for the age and price point.

The PO gave me an oil filter for the next oil change and I just found a bunch of unused 5w-30 organizing my garage. So, my 1st oil change on this won't cost me any more money.

[dougtoth]

You have to use your washers or they will clog.
My wife for some reason doesn't use them on the white pearl Bonneville and they clog up.
I don't understand it and when I get into her car you can barely see out the windshield.
She says she is afraid the windshield will freeze up.
I have -35 degree fluid in the reservoir and I told her to warm up the car and get it hot and when the temperature gauge says 200 then turn the defroster on before hitting the washer button.
Should be no problem.
I guess that is too much to ask.
That's my rant tonight!!!

[95naSTA]

Lol. I hear ya. Fwiw, they've been like that since I picked up the car. I use the hel out of my washer fluid otherwise.

[Sirius]

...The PO gave me an oil filter for the next oil change and I just found a bunch of unused 5w-30 organizing my garage. So, my 1st oil change on this won't cost me any more money...

Dude, that's like hitting the lottery!

[1oldman]

uuuhhh, you just might do more than break a finger if you hadn't replaced the trunk struts, like a new nick name, maybe stubby? and learn a new dance too?
I scared myself once with a car that had a set of worn trunk struts. I replace them too, as fast as I could. - BC

[95naSTA]

Lol. It was pretty bad. I'm glad I spent the few bucks.

[95naSTA]

It's been a surprisingly trouble free 9 months and 1300 miles but the car had its first real repair today. I started to notice a long crank and a fuel smell when driving and eventually there ended up being a puddle just forward of the driver's side rear wheel. The fuel and evap line finally rusted through at 229k and 16 winters. I opted to repair the rusted section by replacing it with using copper nickel line and compression fittings. It wasn't quick or easy do to this on my garage floor but I got it done. One of the fittings leaked at first so I took it apart to make sure the ferrule wasn't crooked. Thankfully it wasn't. So, I lubed the threads and got a few more turns out of that side of the compression fitting. That stopped the leak.

I also did that 'free' oil change I mentioned before.



Fuel


Evap - I had an intermittent evap code that I assumed was my gas cap. This has to be the real reason.


Evap top, Fuel bottom

[Sirius]

Rust sucks.

[95naSTA]

Ran this thing through the car wash today. I actually daily drove this most of the winter with no issues. Closing in on 231k. Best $500 motorized vehicle I've purchased to date.

[Sirius]

That has been a nice score. But excuse me, where's your snow?

[95naSTA]

I think I used an ice scraper once and I know I used a shovel 0 times this winter. My potted perennials in my back yard never completely browned out either. Philly usually gets 1 big storm and 2-3 smaller ones. (We're talking in east coast units of measure here)

I'm happy it was relatively mild but bummed out I couldn't go sledding with my son again this year.

[Sirius]

Teach your son to love the snow so you can enjoy this with him:

Steep & Deep!

[95naSTA]

That's the plan but he might be a bit older before he sees real powder. I was 26 and in Japan before I even knew what that was. We have peak mediocrity nearby in the Poconos.

[95naSTA]

This car finally gave me a little inconvenience.

The dash displayed a check charging system warning on my way home one day. So, I popped in a cig lighter voltage gauge to see 12.5 volts at speed. When I would slow down in traffic the voltage would drop lower then get back up to 12.5v when I started moving again. My first instinct was the regulator is getting lazy but the battery is also from 2015.. I decided to try a new battery on the way home with the mindset I'm overdue for one anyway. My first thought was right, the battery did nothing and it's the alternator. 'New' units are $150+ and I just don't trust Chinesium replacements.. So I ordered a 100k mile used alt for $50 shipped off of ebay hoping for an OEM unit, which it turned out to be. I figure if the presumably original one I has lasted over 230k, a 100k mile one should work out for me just fine.





Replacement was easy. The wheel has to come off to access the tensioner but the alt comes up through the top pretty easily.

I did spot a collapsed coolant hose and the tensioner pulley bearings were shot. So I ordered a coolant reservoir cap and a new pulley. I think I'm around $1k total into purchase and parts for this car so far. Not too bad!

[95naSTA]

One more fix.

Also.. I was seeing over 15v at the cigarette lighter after the alt install. A short drive didn't help and it didn't seem like it was going to drop. I thought it may be the regulator working overtime to charge the dead battery in the trunk. So I charged the battery until full, tried again and the voltage went from mid 14s to 13.8 after a few minutes of running.

[95naSTA]

I had to get this inspected today and started thinking about if and how I wanted to take advantage of a free afternoon and the resources at my buddies shop. The suspension is completely blown, which honestly doesn't bother me too much with this car but out of curiosity looked up what it would cost for quick struts, shocks, and end links.. It ended up being $220 shipped for Monroe struts/shocks and Delphi links. At that price and knowing how easy it is, I went for it. The R&R went smooth and I had plenty of time for a toe and go alignment up front. The rear suspension uses a beam, so no adjustment there.

It was definitely worth the money and effort. The car actually rides pretty nice and it's way tighter.

[Sirius]

That's one of those jobs that after it's done and you drive the car you're like, why didn't I do this sooner?