1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier sets out the two gasoline engines offered that year, a naturally aspirated 2.8L overhead-valve V6 of 173 cubic inches and a naturally aspirated 2.0L overhead-valve inline-four of 122 cubic inches, and the four bodies they went into: sedan, coupe, wagon and convertible. Base, RS, VL and Z24 make up the trim range. Each engine gets its own specifications, torque sequences and diagnostic tables, and the chassis, brake and body electrical sections that follow apply across the whole lineup.

Engines covered

• 2.8L V6 (173 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan
• 2-door coupe
• 4-door wagon
• 2-door convertible

Trims covered

• Base
• RS
• VL
• Z24

Known issues on the 1989 Cavalier. Two recalls are on the federal record, and both are about gasoline finding its way out. In one, small creases pressed into the underside of the fuel tank crack as the tank cycles between pressure and vacuum in normal use, and the tank begins to seep. In the other, a replacement fuel filter fails to seal properly at its connection. Either leak becomes a fire with an ignition source nearby. Complaints number 63, with 13 on the engine and cooling system, seven on the fuel system and five on steering; tank removal, line routing and fuel pressure testing are all documented here.