1992 Chevrolet Sprint

1992 Chevrolet Sprint

The 1992 Chevrolet Sprint is a subcompact hatchback that was available with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine or a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines were paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The Sprint was praised for its fuel economy and maneuverability, but it was criticized for its lack of power and cramped interior.

Engine

1.0-Liter Three-Cylinder

• Blown head gasket: The head gasket can fail, causing coolant and oil to leak. Symptoms include white smoke from the exhaust, overheating, and loss of power. The solution is to replace the head gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000
• Timing chain tensioner failure: The timing chain tensioner can fail, causing the timing chain to jump teeth. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the engine, loss of power, and decreased fuel economy. The solution is to replace the timing chain tensioner. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500
• Intake manifold gasket leak: The intake manifold gasket can leak, causing a loss of power and increased fuel consumption. Symptoms include a hissing sound from the engine, rough idle, and decreased acceleration. The solution is to replace the intake manifold gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400

1.3-Liter Four-Cylinder

• Valve cover gasket leak: The valve cover gasket can leak, causing oil to leak onto the engine. Symptoms include oil spots under the car, a burning smell, and decreased oil levels. The solution is to replace the valve cover gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200
• Oil pan gasket leak: The oil pan gasket can leak, causing oil to leak from the bottom of the engine. Symptoms include oil spots under the car, a burning smell, and decreased oil levels. The solution is to replace the oil pan gasket. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200
• Power steering pump failure: The power steering pump can fail, causing the power steering to become inoperable. Symptoms include a whining noise from the engine, difficulty turning the steering wheel, and a loss of power steering fluid. The solution is to replace the power steering pump. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500

Transmission

Five-Speed Manual

• Clutch failure: The clutch can fail, causing the transmission to slip or become inoperable. Symptoms include difficulty shifting gears, a burning smell, and a loss of power. The solution is to replace the clutch. Estimated cost to fix: $500 - $1,000
• Transmission mount failure: The transmission mount can fail, causing the transmission to move excessively. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the engine, difficulty shifting gears, and a loss of power. The solution is to replace the transmission mount. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200
• Shift linkage failure: The shift linkage can fail, causing the transmission to become inoperable. Symptoms include difficulty shifting gears or the gears becoming stuck. The solution is to replace the shift linkage. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $300

Suspension

• Front strut failure: The front struts can fail, causing the ride to become harsh and the handling to become unstable. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the front of the car, a decrease in ride height, and decreased handling. The solution is to replace the front struts. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500 per strut
• Rear shock absorber failure: The rear shock absorbers can fail, causing the ride to become harsh and the handling to become unstable. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the rear of the car, a decrease in ride height, and decreased handling. The solution is to replace the rear shock absorbers. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400 per shock absorber
• Sway bar link failure: The sway bar links can fail, causing the handling to become unstable. Symptoms include a rattling noise from the front or rear of the car, decreased handling, and excessive body roll. The solution is to replace the sway bar links. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200 per link

Electrical

• Alternator failure: The alternator can fail, causing the battery to drain and the car to lose power. Symptoms include a dimming of the headlights, a loss of power, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the alternator. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500
• Starter failure: The starter can fail, preventing the car from starting. Symptoms include a clicking noise when trying to start the car, no noise when trying to start the car, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the starter. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400
• Battery failure: The battery can fail, preventing the car from starting. Symptoms include a dimming of the headlights, a loss of power, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the battery. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200

Exterior

• Door lock failure: The door locks can fail, preventing the doors from being locked or unlocked. Symptoms include difficulty locking or unlocking the doors, a rattling noise from the doors, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the door locks. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200 per door lock
• Window regulator failure: The window regulators can fail, preventing the windows from being rolled up or down. Symptoms include difficulty rolling up or down the windows, a rattling noise from the windows, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the window regulators. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400 per window regulator
• Headlight switch failure: The headlight switch can fail, causing the headlights to stop working. Symptoms include no headlights, a flickering of the headlights, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the headlight switch. Estimated cost to fix: $100 - $200

Interior

• Climate control failure: The climate control system can fail, preventing the air conditioning or heater from working. Symptoms include no air conditioning or heater, a rattling noise from the dashboard, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the climate control system. Estimated cost to fix: $300 - $500
• Speedometer failure: The speedometer can fail, preventing the driver from seeing their speed. Symptoms include no speedometer reading, a fluctuating speedometer reading, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the speedometer. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400
• Tachometer failure: The tachometer can fail, preventing the driver from seeing the engine speed. Symptoms include no tachometer reading, a fluctuating tachometer reading, and a warning light on the dashboard. The solution is to replace the tachometer. Estimated cost to fix: $200 - $400

Summary

The 1992 Chevrolet Sprint is a reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle, but it has some common issues that owners should be aware of. The most severe issues include blown head gaskets, timing chain tensioner failure, and transmission mount failure, which can all lead to significant repair costs. Other issues, such as door lock failure, window regulator failure, and climate control failure, are less severe but can still be inconvenient and expensive to fix. Overall, the 1992 Chevrolet Sprint is a good value for the money, but potential buyers should be aware of the potential issues before purchasing one.