Chevy Malibu:  Signs of a Bad Water Pump

Your Chevy Malibu’s water pump is one of the most crucial parts of the engine.  If it doesn’t pump water through the engine, it’s going to overheat and do a lot of damage.  Typical signs of a bad water pump include overheating, white smoke, a bad smell, rough idle, and more. A water pump works … Read more

Chevy Malibu: Running Hot → Causes

If your Chevy Malibu is running hot, it is a serious problem.  If it gets too hot, it leads to overheating.  A hot engine is usually caused by a few different things, such as the thermostat, water pump, radiator, or outside conditions.     Chevy Malibu Running Hot Symptoms Obviously, the main symptom of running … Read more

Chevy Malibu Rod Knocking Diagnosis

A rod knock is a very serious problem.  If your Chevy Malibu has a knocking rod, it’s almost always going to be caused by a failure of the rod bearing or the rod caps (leading to a spun bearing) or lack of oil.   If you do have a rod knock, don’t ignore it for … Read more

Chevy Malibu: Bad Torque Converter → Symptoms + Diagnosis

Your Chevy Malibu’s torque converter is responsible for converting the energy generated by the engine at the flywheel and transferring it to the transmission, creating a bridge between the engine and the transmission.   In the Chevy Malibu, a bad torque converter is often caused by bad transmission fluid, worn clutches, bad seals, or loose … Read more

Chevy Malibu Battery Light: Why It’s On and How to Fix

If your Chevy Malibu’s battery light is on, it is trying to warn you that there is an issue with the charging system. The charging system itself is relatively simple.  The battery light comes on because the voltage level at the battery is too low. Quick Facts Common Causes Faulty Battery, Bad Alternator, Battery Cables, … Read more

Chevy Malibu Power Steering Fluid Leak: Causes and Solutions

One of the most common problems that can happen with a vehicle over time is it’ll begin leaking power steering fluid. Without the power steering system, your Malibu would be very difficult to drive.  Most of the weight of the vehicle is absorbed by the power steering system, making it feel much lighter than it really … Read more

Chevy Malibu Burning Smell: Causes + How to Fix

A burning smell is one of the most troublesome problems you can experience in a vehicle.  If your Chevy Malibu has a burning smell, there are many potential causes.   Typically, the smell is caused by some type of fluid (oil, trans fluid, etc…) hitting the exhaust or other hot parts of the engine or … Read more

Chevy Malibu:  Burning Oil Diagnosis

  The engine burning oil is one of the most common problems that a vehicle can encounter, particularly one with high mileage.  If your Chevy Malibu is burning oil it is typically caused by piston rings or valve guides.     How Much Oil Consumption is Normal? Most auto manufacturers are hesitant to tell you … Read more

Chevy Malibu P0463: Fuel Level Sensor Circuit → High Input

  P0463 is a moderately common OBDII trouble code that can occur in your Chevy Malibu.  It indicates that the vehicles computer has detected an inaccurate fuel level reading.  It shouldn’t affect the drivability of your Malibu, but it can be inconvenient. Your Malibu will get the P0463 code when the signal coming from the … Read more

Chevy Malibu: Backfiring Causes

  One of the more jarring vehicle problems that you can experience is a backfire.  It sounds like a shotgun blast and can scare you if you’re not prepared for it.  If your Chevy Malibu is backfiring, common causes include improper engine timing, bad spark plugs, engine running rich, and plug wires (if so equipped). … Read more