Saturn sludge issues

[Mike242GT]

Can someone tell me please which were the years and models of Saturns which had the known sludge issues? A friend is looking at a used Saturn, and I want to be able to advise her whether or not the car may have "issues" related to this. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

[Axe Man]

S Series Saturns aren't known for sludging but they ARE known for oil consumption issues. Both the SOHC and DOHC engines are affected. Going less than 1000 miles/quart with these engines is not uncommon. It is a design flaw where the oil control rings on the pistons become seized in place due to carbon buildup. Various treatments are required with top engine clean and marvel mystery oil to try to free up the rings.

These engines also suffer from P0341 "Camshaft Position Sensor" failures due to crossfire on the coils and plug wires. They are so sensitive to this problem that only factory original parts are suitable replacements.

Another quirk is extended engine crank on hot start. The ECTS sensor which measures engine temp for the PCM cracks and saturates with coolant. The original ECTS were plastic. Newer parts are brass and less prone to this failure.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Quote:

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Can someone tell me please which were the years and models of Saturns which had the known sludge issues? A friend is looking at a used Saturn, and I want to be able to advise her whether or not the car may have "issues" related to this. Thanks in advance for any responses.

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I have an early model 99 SL2. Yes, using about 1 quart per 1,000 as we speak. Late 99 models to 2002 received updated rings and pistons to correct the consumption problem. My model and earlier years are more prone to oil consumption. SL1's seem to have less of a problem (Single Overhead Cam) compared to the Dual Overhead Cam. But, there are other things to consider. Single Overhead Cam's have problems with the head cracking. During the 97 1/2 year they updated the alternator. Due to the placement and heat it is exposed to, earlier models tended have more alternator failures. The late 99+-2002 came with an updated plastic intake manifold, which has had problems leaking sometimes. I like the year I have. Pretty easy to work on for the most part. For three years has been excellent. Your friend may want to go here to get more details:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/

There is excellent tech section and How-To Library describing parts that normally need servicing. I would buy this car again. Without the support of Saturn Fans and BITOG, and I would think twice.

 

[mechtech2]

Saturns have more than their share of engine problems.
Beware.

 

[kgb007stb]

Interesting,

I have a 2001 SC2 DOHC and a 2002 SL1 SOHC,

the DOHC gets a steady diet of 10% LC, 4K miles later and no oil consumption,

the SOHC gets a steady diet of 3oz Auto_rx maintenance dose and no oil consumption 5k miles later.

When I will collect more UOA data I will have Teryy look at the results in more detail.

MONKEYMAN:
DO you know if the saturn forums discuss the high idle problem, it only happens when ambient temp is above 75F.

 

[freeze12]

I have owned a Saturn 01 SC2 & had nothing but problems with it. Engine seized at 14,000miles. Most saturn "so called" techs are as dumb as a rock. The twin cam motor is a turkey as it is known for the oil consumtion,piston slap etc. Also the auto transmisions are known to blow the pin right thourgh the trans case.My friend in Florida owns a Saturn only junkyard & told Me the horror storys about the Saturns & He would not even drive one. (If I offend a Saturn owner,sorry but it is My opinion)

 

[Dave Sherman]

My '97 Saturn SL2 had 128,000 miles when I traded it. No major problems with the engine. The oil consumption figure is about right, but part of that was due to a leaky valve cover gasket. When I replaced the gasket the valve train was remarkably clean and had no signs of sludge. The coolant temp sensor issue is correct too, mine had the same problem. Otherwise, the engine was running fine (and still passed emissions), and I didn't have any major issues with the car. Probably the only nuisance was having the rear stabilizer bar links fail within a week of each other at 120,000 miles. Only about $35 and 10 minutes to replace each one, and the parts counter guy admitted those tend to seize up. If you start hearing clunks from the rear going around corners, the links are shot.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

Quote:

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MONKEYMAN:
DO you know if the saturn forums discuss the high idle problem, it only happens when ambient temp is above 75F.

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I am not aware of the issue. I tend to know more about things that I have had to addressed with my Saturn. Maybe if you do a search in the Tech section for the S-Series, or make a post there you would find more info.

When I looked for cars, I wanted a Corolla or Civic. I test drove a Civic, or tried to. The drivers side mirror came off in the car wash at the Saturn Dealership. Only then did I consider a Saturn, and found it was much more affordable. The key for me being a good experience is understanding the needs of the Saturn. I replaced the ECTS before it failed. This has been the most reliable car I have ever had. Maybe that speaks to my previous choices. The engine is not the most refined one I have had, but has been very reliable and easy to maintain.

 

[kgb007stb]

freeze12:

Precisely, I bough the Saturn because there are lots of cheap parts in the junk yards around here where I live, hence cheap to operate and cheap to maintain. What I will not be able to do myself, like change the engine (used around 40K for $300-400) I will give it to a reputable mechanic who will replace it for $200.

Lately there is too much road rage, and until I will have my own house and a control of where I park my car, I refuse to spend money on anything new. So many people at work have their lease payments and you should see how angry they get when someone scratches their rides, for the price that I bought my car I really don’t care.

I just hope I will not have the same problems as you have had.