The 2000 Cavalier came standard with a 2.2-liter, four-cylinder engine capable of producing 115 horsepower. This model year also featured an available 150-horse, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engine's temperatures were regulated by a mixture of Dex-Cool antifreeze and clean water, which were cooled by a large fan at the front of the vehicle.
The 2000 Cavalier engines did not have an exact operating temperature, but rather an acceptable range of temperatures, between 189 and 207 degrees.
It is possible to make the Cavalier run cooler. Many auto parts stores sell thermostats designed to open at 160 or 180 degrees, as opposed to the 190-degree thermostat installed originally in the Cavalier.
The Cavalier was designed to operate at the recommended temperature for optimal fuel mileage and minimal buildup from combustion. Changing the operating temperature can adversely affect the engine by causing tar buildup from internal combustion.
