2001 Saturn SL2 1.9L, Amsoil 0w-30 5500 miles

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Not a good UOA, I didn't think it would be good as the T-stat was reading too cool and the CEL was on. Those have been fixed after the UOA was taken. Also, there's a small leak that needs to be fixed too, probably a valve cover gasket on the back side of the engine. Hard to visibly see it. I'm looking forward to the next UOA to compare this not-so-good data with data that reflects a fixed t-stat & secondary air injection pump vacuum line that cured the CEL light. I ran out of Amsoil 0w-30 so I used M1 as a top-off. Analysis done by Terry at DysonAnalysis.com

 Code:

Year:                      2001
Make:                   Saturn
Model:                     SL2
Engine Size:              1.9L
Total Mileage:           87,200
Fuel Type:                   87
Fuel Additives:             FP
Oil Use Interval:         5,500
Oil Type & Grade:    Amsoil 0w-30
Make-up Oil Added:   1qt M1 0w-20
Make-up Oil Added: & 1/3qt Amsoil 0w-20
Oil Additvies Used:         LC
Crankcase Capacity:       4qts
Sample Date            12/28/08
Air Filter:               K & N
Oil Filter:                M1

Element                     PPM
ALUMINUM                      2
CHROMIUM                      2
IRON                         13
COPPER                        5
LEAD                          0
TIN                           0
NICKEL                        0
SILVER                        0
TITANIUM                   n/a
CALCIUM                   2,574
MAGNESIUM                    19
PHOSPHORUS                  812
ZINC                        902
MOLYBDENUM                   46
MANGANESE                  n/a
SILICON                      20
SODIUM                       46
POTASSIUM                     0
BORON                        30
BARIUM                     n/a


cST @40C                   46.9
cST @100c                   8.7
SUS 210F                   n/a
Flashpoint F                335
Fuel %                    1.16%
AntiFreeze %                  0
Water %                       0
Insolubles %               n/a
Oxidation                    47
Nitration                    12
TBN                         3.7
TAN                        2.31

 

[GMFan]

I'm beginning to think that our little Saturn engines aren't the easiest on oil. ToyotaNSaturn, out of curiosity how far does your thermostat go? Mine seems to reach a hair under 3/8 on the temperature scale. I think I need to replace my thermostat, because I think it is stuck open since my fan never seems to come on.

 

[wannafbody]

Looks like it sheared a bit. That looks close to 20 weight specs.

 

[ZZman]

Lots of fuel. Didn't warm the oil up good? Wear was good. But the additives/diffent oil throws this off.

 

[Drew99GT]

In all honesty, it's not that bad considering the extra fuel from the bad thermostat. Stuck open thermostats can cause all kinds of problems, and I've ridden in a lot of cars where the gauge is stuck on cold. I replace them ASAP once I know they are stuck open.

 

[The Critic]

 Originally Posted By: GMFan

I'm beginning to think that our little Saturn engines aren't the easiest on oil. ToyotaNSaturn, out of curiosity how far does your thermostat go? Mine seems to reach a hair under 3/8 on the temperature scale. I think I need to replace my thermostat, because I think it is stuck open since my fan never seems to come on.

With a new Stant 195F thermostat, the gauge on my 96 SL2 reaches about 15/32.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

+1 to what The Critic said. The MPG really didn't start to go up, even with a new 195 T-stat, until the emissions problem was fixed. Then is started to hit 35MPG easily on the highway. Prior to that, 33MPG was tops.

 

[Drew99GT]

Mike, what was wrong with the emissions system?

 

[Pablo]

 Originally Posted By: wannafbody

Looks like it sheared a bit. That looks close to 20 weight specs.

Topped up with over a quart of 0W-20 and 1.X% fuel.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

The secondary air injection pump had a vacuum tube leak. Since it started at the same time as when the alternator/regulator gave me fits last year I thought it would be an electrical issue. Thankfully, it wasn't. Just a couple bucks for a tube splice and then about 50 miles of driving, then the code went away. Saturnfans.com had a couple topics on this problem: bottom line, check the vacuum lines first. I was VERY happy that it was a cheap fix.

 

[FZ1]

I think it's a pretty good run and you changed it out at the right time. Bet it would be better with an oem AF.

 

[addyguy]

Results don't look that bad at all considering all the issues. SSO does well in the presence of high fuel, no exception here. Are you planning on going back to synthetics/long OCI's once you get all the issues sorted out?

 

[SLCraig]

 Originally Posted By: GMFan

I'm beginning to think that our little Saturn engines aren't the easiest on oil. ToyotaNSaturn, out of curiosity how far does your thermostat go? Mine seems to reach a hair under 3/8 on the temperature scale. I think I need to replace my thermostat, because I think it is stuck open since my fan never seems to come on.

On my 96 SL2 the temp gauge while cruising along is between 3/8 and 7/16ish, with a brand new 195 thermostat. On my 97 SL1 just a hair less, with an OEM made in germany 185 degree thermostat. A really stuck open T-stat will have you not much over 1/4 if at all while driving. I'd say you're fine honestly. (Been there, done that, on both cars)