2001 malibu problems

Hopefully someone reading this can help me out here. I know I could be
asking alot but I hope someone can give some advice because things just
seem hopeless.


Friend of mine has a 2001 3.1L V6 Malibu and we are having a few
problems with it and cant seem to find any information to help solve
the problems one way or another, so I am going to post what has hapened
and maybe someone out there can give a bit of advice.

Problem 1
Car seems to be using ALOT of gas and the engine light is on, had codes
run, was told its a EVAP code. P1441 or something like that, was told
it could be the EGR valve or EGR gasket, because this means that the
car has detected some sort of emssions leak. Was also told it could be
a oxygen sensor wich is causing the air fuel mixture to be to rich.
Called around but seem to get differing stories on what it could be and
cant even get a stright answer as to how many oxygen sensors are in the
car some say 2 rear one front some say 2 front 1 rear or a combo of the
two and I am completely lost.

Problem 2
When turning the steering wheel it makes a sound like sort of zipper
sound as it goes back and forth was told the steering flud could just
be low and there could be a small leak somewhere.
Now apperantly when my friend first got the car it made the same sound
but not as loud and not as frequent, but it went away. So dont know if
its a problem or sometimes cars just make those kinds of sounds
(steering does work properly when making this zipper like sound).

Problem 3 might be related to 1 and 2 but not sure.
2 weeks ago we were driving along and stoped to turn into a driveway
when we braked the headlights dimed to about 75% of normal brightness,
car seemed fine and we made the turn no problems.

6 mins (5 or 6 KM) later while going down a steep hill the headlights
dimmed steering and brakes lost about 50 - 60% of power oil light and
battery light came on, engine lost all pick up (pressed gas pedal ..
nothing happend). We got the car pulled over after a few scarry moments
turned the car off for 5 mins turned it back on and everything seemed
fine after. A few nights later we were driving arounf in traffic and
noticed the engine lost alot of power and seemed like it was sputtering
(like the timing was off maybe?) to be safe we restarted the car he
drove home and I took the bus home.


Now 2 or 3 months ago we had the front bearings replaced because they
were worn and the ABS system was acting up, ABS problem has gone away
completely after replacement.

1 month ago we replaced the air filter, and it looked like it needed
replaceing.

Oil does need to be changed along with the oil filter and most likely
the fuel filter needs to be done as well.

Coolant level is good, looks clean, and is orange (DEXCOOL) I am
guessing.

Oil is brown a bit darker then what is concidered optimal but not black
or anything, no sluge on oil cap either, oil is at the full mark on the
dipstick too.

Not sure about steering or transmission fluid tho, if someone can tell
us how to check that and what is good and bad that would be great.
Seems like all the garages around here have the just bring it in
attitude and dont want to give pointers on the phone. Or give
contradicting advice, or contradict themselves so I dont know who to
listen to.

Car also needs new struts / tires if anyone has any advice on what
brands of struts are good I would appreciate any advice on that too.
Been told Monroe Sensatrac's are good and are resonably priced. The car
is used to go on dirt / rough roads at times so good suspension is a
concern.

The car now has about 103,000 km on it replaced the air filter at about
100,000km bought the car last july (05) with about 78,000 km on it
(was just off lease) clean title too.

I hope someone or some people can offer some adivce as this has been a
trying time to figure out all these things with this car and with a
limited budget I cant really take it into the dealer to have
everything looked at.

Thanks in advance for your help,

James