Saturn TSB, doing it now...issues!

[Solo2driver]

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sh...f7293d71c1def59c&threadid=38790&highlight=MMO

1995 Saturn SL2 DOHC, 136K miles.

So I'm doing the Saturn Technical Service Bulletin for the oil consumption issues. I replaced the PCV valve with the AC Delco/Saturn unit, poured a couple of ounces of SeaFoam into the cylinders (it's been about 4 hours), and will change the oil to Mobil 1 5w30 to follow the directions to a T in case I have problems later. This engine, about 50K miles ago, ran down to 1 qt of oil/sludge for an unknown amount of time, as well as shortly before that had a filter "oilcan" after being serviced at Saturn of Austin and driven 1800 miles back to CA, bypass the whole way back...darkest oil I have ever seen, particulate matter fell out of solution after sitting for only a couple of hours in a clear bottle as well.

Cylinder #2 lost all of its SeaFoam within 1 hour, while it appears that the others have not changed. Broken piston ring, or just sooo stuck that all of the SeaFoam is leaking past?

Cylinder #3's spark plug is shattered apart. This is not the first time the plug has been damaged, but never to this extent. When I changed the wires out about 30K miles ago and again 5K miles ago, there was a ton of corrosion on the plug side and on the coilpack side of that wire, leading me to believe it to be a coilpack issue. Have not compression-tested or leakdown tested the engine yet, but will get around to it.

Still needs the valve cover gasket kit replaced (#1 and #2 plugs coated in oil) and idler pulley, will get to that after the more inportant stuff.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
James W.
94 Suzuki Swift GT 1.3L DOHC

 

[MONKEYMAN]

I decided to use Auto-RX to address oil consumption/dirty ring packs in my 99 SL2, but am only in the first cleaning phase. Have you cleaned your coil pack? I have removed mine two times to remove corrosion. Maybe you could look up instructions on Saturn forums. It seems like piston soaks are hit or miss, from what I have read at Saturn Forums. I am also using Fuel Power to clean the combustion chamber. Definitely runs smoother, and gas mileage is up after the first month of use.

 

[Neil Womack]

Several years ago I switched to Mobil 5w30 and consumption soared ( 1.5 quarts per thousand). Mobil 1 5w30 is really rather thin at 100*c compared to most other 30wt oils. I then tried using 15w40 motor oil consumption dropped from 1 qt per thousand ( my Penn 10w30 consumption ) to a quart per three thousand.

Then a few years later an Auto Rx treatment lowered the consumption a little more. Maybe ounces better.

More importantly performance seemed to pick-up a great deal. At least according to my seat-o-pants dyno.

 

[Solo2driver]

Finished up with the TSB, waited a full 26 hours of piston soak (excessive? I think not!) Car didn't smoke all that much on the restart, and I drove it around the block to build temperature. Came back and did the switch to Mobil 1 5w30.

Took a 40 mile trip tonight mix freeway and street. Car feels great, good power and smooth delivery. The transmission is actually downshifting as well as the power builds, rather than just lugging away.

I will keep an eye on consumption after this, as well as oil color.

-JamesW