2000 Cavalier Z24 advice..someone please help?

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Steven, I didn't know puttering and sputtering were car terms, let alone any different. Like the other guy said, could be a lot of things. My wife had a 99 Z24 and it made a fast, kind of ticking noise when it idled. The dealer said it was normal and nothing bad ever happened. Better be sure though, get it looked at by a Chevy dealer.

z24 were prone to intake leaks around the intake gasket. the plastic warps from heat and allows a transfer of air between the throttle body and engine. This would cause a high idle. So if your idle is normal, its probably an exhaust leak.

Ticking noise in the 2.4 is usually worn guides for the timing chain. Doesn't mean the engine will go, but you never know . If its coming from that side of the engine (belt side) that's my bet.

So is it a ticking, puttering, or both?

Needing an oil change wouldn't cause the car to putter. I had a cavalier coupe and it always idled high. I was told chevys just do that. I now have a cobalt and it still idles high. Just take it to a shop and have it looked at. I am sure it's nothing serious.

Oil has nothing to do with any sound. Never hurts to change the oil if you don't know for sure when it was changed. It could be anything making that sound. It could even be normal. Have a real mechanic look the car over quickly when you next take it in for service. You may want to go to a real mechanic for the first service or two, as opposed to a quick lube service outlet.

Running fine with a puttering sound? It may be a small exhaust leak. Unless you mean it's sputtering then it's not running fine.

i've got on no account heard of the z22 till now... i'm guessing it is an visual attraction equipment, and has the two.2L engine. it is truly a toss-up right here. the z24 would be greater effective however. rigidity the two, see what you like greater valuable.