25th Oct 2006, 00:09

I have a '95 SW2 with a 5 speed. It started consuming a lot of oil at 90,000 miles when the clutch went. A mechanic at the Saturn dealership told me there is a fuel additive that must be added at every oil change. I think it's that Chevron Techron stuff that costs $15 at the dealership or $6 at Walmart. He said if you don't, the rings get full of carbon and refuse to seal. I was using 1qt per 1000 miles at 135K when my car was broad sided by a much larger station wagon (Suburban). The Saturn mechanic said that they would do the top end soak discussed earlier in this forum and the oil consumption should go back to normal. My poor car never made it back to the shop...

28th Dec 2006, 00:00

I just bought a 1997 SL2 with 190k miles on it. It's only got one problem; it smokes profusely when the engine is idle. It also seems to burn oil. After only 250 miles after a full service oil change, the oil light comes on. A check under the hood reveals low oil... I guess I'll have to add oil... After some internet research I’ve determined that perhaps the piston rings need to be replaced. If there is not a proper seal, the oil that lubricates the piston gets into the combustion chamber; causing the smoke?

Now, how do I convince a mechanic to ONLY give me my ring job?

"But he said ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks."

Hah

20th Feb 2007, 19:02

Well thanks for the tips. My shift linkage came apart as well. I have a 1995 Saturn SL1 and to be honest it has been a terrific vehicle for me. Very reliable. I really never thought about drilling the linkage out and replace it with a bolt and a couple of grommets. Good stuff. Again, thanks for the heads up.

12th Apr 2007, 17:40

I was on hold waiting for the service adviser at Saturn to pick up the phone and, once again, discuss this problem. I hung up and immediately checked the Internet and found this site. Thank You SO much for your comments. I have a 1997 SW2 which I have very much enjoyed for 10 years and 122K+ miles, but for the last few years, it's been using way too much oil. I thought I was the only one! This has been the only real problem with the car. That, and my O2 sensors seem to go out often. Now I know to look for a different make of car to purchase next time (NOT a Ford, either). You people just saved me a lot of money.

4th Jul 2007, 21:39

I just bought a 1997 Saturn SC1 with 196,000 miles on it. I don't think the girl before me took very good care of it, it was in dire need of an oil change. I got that done, replaced the spark plugs, and when I can afford it apparently needs new motor mounts. It vibrates pretty bad, and my mechanic said that was the problem. Cross my fingers, but so far no major repairs are needed. Sometimes it takes a little effort to shift into second (manual trans.) has anyone else had this problem?

12th Jul 2007, 08:16

I have a 1997 Saturn SC2 (auto transmission), bought with 80,000+ miles. It's now at 98,000+ and just started with the same transmission problems as everyone else is describing. It harshly slams into reverse when the car is completely stopped, and it feels like the transmission is going to break as it shifts from 1st to 2nd. Luckily, if you ease off the gas right as it is about to shift, you can bypass the harsh shifting.

Mechanic #1 quoted me $1,370 for a transmission installation from an '01 SC2.

Mechanic #2 quoted me $1,200 to rebuild mine, or $600 to replace just the valve body. Both quotes in Niagara Falls, NY.

Based on similar problems from other people on here, I'm surprised I JUST started having this issue at almost 100,000 miles. The previous owner seemed to keep up on all it's maintenance. Thanks Saturn.

7th Aug 2007, 14:14

My wife's 2000 SL1 is consuming oil. It just vanishes. Car has 36,000 miles. The vehicle has been very well maintained. I discovered it had nearly no oil in the pan recently. It took 3 liters to bring it back to 'full'. The oil light indicator did blink, but never stayed on. I assumed it was an electronic glitch. Shame on the Saturn people. We purchased extended warranty ($1,500.) but it expired before this problem. I'll never buy another Saturn. So much for supporting products made in North America.

23rd Aug 2007, 14:20

I really hate my 1999 Saturn SC2, I've had nothing, but problems with it, It looks great, but it's a horrible car.

It does nothing, but suck oil constantly, my gas just seems to evaporate, I've had to get a new coolant fan, new master cylinder and brakes, I had to get an AC leak fixed, the car is really small inside and gets dirty easy. I got ripped off when I bought this car, it sucks. NEVER BUY A SATURN.

27th Aug 2007, 10:15

I have a 1997 SC2 that is at about 109,000 miles. It just recently started having a problem with the (auto) transmission. I just started working at a Lexus dealership and they pull my car in and check it out for me whenever it has a problem. Unfortunately, they couldn't find anything that looked wrong with my car (except for the fact that it was a Saturn, ha ha)

The key won't go into the ignition unless you pump the brakes a few times. One you can get the key in and turned to start the car, the shifter won't come out of park. I can pump the brakes and everything, but something just isn't engaging. My husband and I will sit there and yank on it and pump the brakes, sometimes hit it with something until it finally pops out. It just started doing this about a month ago, and no one seems to know what the hell is wrong with it. Has anyone else had this problem?

10th Sep 2007, 19:36

I own a 1997 Saturn SC2 and I have noticed the oil consumption and the rough idle. I have 200,000 miles on it, and it has not giving me any of the crap that everyone is crying about.

I mean it does help that I'm mechanic and I can realize when my car is running funny. For a while though I didn't do an oil change for 4,000 miles; every time I would just have to add a half a quart, not one and half.

For a ten year old car it's still kicking. It's a five speed manual transmission that has never had to be rebuilt nor the motor. The worst thing that I have had to do to it was an ignition switch.

I drive fast and still with the motor having to go through the stress, it still doesn't burn that much oil. There is no smoke coming from the exhaust.

In my opinion Saturn is one of the best cars, as opposed to a 1990 Acura Legend that I recently had; want to talk about trouble, go buy one.