1999 SL with a Cracked Head

My 1999 SL has developed a cracked head after about 64,500 miles. The cracked
occured in the exact spot the Technical Service Bulletin 96-T-65B suggests to
look for in the 1991-1997 Saturn vehicles equipped with SOHC engines. Saturn
will not pay for this since it is out of warranty. Any other 1999 SL owners
with the same problem?

 

Some more recent events. I had the dealer "fix" this car for around $1900. I
kept the cylinder head for evidence. They would not warranty their work since
I told them not to replace the radiator hoses, thermostat, and water pump since
the COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL and not vice versa. Now, the Technical
Service Bulleting 96-T-65B refers to the problem when the oil mixes with the
coolant through a cylinder head crack. My question is did the dealer diagnose
the coolant leak right? Also, after driving about 50 miles with the new
cylinder head, the oil is now leaking into the coolant (like it is suppose too)
and coolant is also leaking out from the engine, and the timing chain is making
all kinds of noise. I took it to PEP Boys to get some feedback and they think
Saturn is royally screwing me and that I should sue their asses. Comments?

 

Sue their asses. You shouldn't have those leaks after a cylinder
head job.

 

This (or something very similar) happened to me, too, at just under
64,000 miles (early November 2003).
To be more specific (skip to next paragraph if you don't care <grin>): the
coolant low pressure light came on. I checked the coolant reservoir and it
was low. I bought the appropriate coolant (with DEX cool) per the owner's
manual and added about a 2 cup mixture of coolant and water. After about
five days, the coolant low pressure light again came on. I added another 2
cup mixture and scheduled an appointment with my Saturn dealer service
department. They found and fixed a low pressure condition but no oil in
coolant or coolant in oil. Another four or five days and the low coolant
light returned. Scheduled another appointment; this time they found coolant
in the oil. Service Manager and I discussed and decided to do nothing
further, since the recommended engine teardown and fix would likely cost in
excess of $2000, probably not worth my spending for a 64,000 mile-old car.
Finding this and other, more favorable, postings in USENet, I decided to
escalate. Before doing so, I advised the dealer service manager, who
suggested I contact Saturn Customer Service. I did so, and within 24 hours
was phoned by an Area Manager from Spring Hill offering to pay for parts if
I paid for labor to fix the engine. The dealer service department did so,
charging me $1025.49 ($936.00 for labor and the rest for various parts, such
as the torque axis mount, not related to the cylinder head problem and about
which the service manager discussed with me ahead of time). The invoice
shows $960.10 in engine parts for which I was not charged.
While not pleased about having to pay anything to fix an engine problem
that should not have occurred so early in the engine's life, I'm much
happier than if I had to pay 11 times that amount for a new car. The engine
seems to be running very well.