'99 SL - Cracked cylinder head

[Spongebob]

I have a 1999 Saturn SL, 5 speed with just over 24000 miles. Since I bought it in February 2002, I have put on just under 8000 miles. My engine coolant light had been going off for a few days. I checked and replaced the coolant. Light went away, but came back a few days later. Had it checked out by a mechanic I always go to (with previous cars as well), and he said, "your oil is getting in the water, and the water is getting in the oil. You should not be having this kind of trouble for having this low of mileage. Take it to the dealer and fight for this."

So I go to the Saturn dealer in Clarence, NY. They look at it and they contacted my girlfriend (I was at work), and there is a crack in the cylinder head. That part alone is $950. Total cost of repairs with parts and labor is $2952.49. He said even though the car is out of warranty, it has been his experience in the past that Saturn "MAY" participate for HALF because of the low mileage. All hoses/ pumps etc that have come in contact with the oil would need to be replaced. The radiator etc need to be flushed. He said the cam-shaft may need to be replaced but he is not definite on that at this time.

This is outrageous. They did call back and tell her they will cover half. My warranty just ran out in March. The way I see it, and after researching this issue all day while at work, and now, that there are other cars and people out there with this same issue, I should not have to pay a dime. If anyone knows anything more about this, and about this "flaw", please let me know, and any links to sites, or where I can find more info out.

Thanks,
Ian

 

[Guest]

If the dealer questions the cam shafts being good, what about all the bearings in the engine? Is the head cracked, or is it the head gasket bad? Either is no fun. I think I'd be looking for a complete engine rebuild, rather then have bearing failure in 20,000 miles. And try to have Saturn pay for +90% of repair.

 

[BANDIT2941]

I would say - good luck getting them to pay. In their eyes the car is out of warranty and they have no obligation to fix the car for you. Though it really sucks, they have no legal obligation to fix it. Whatever money they give you towards it will pretty much be out of good will to keep the customer happy.

You have to call Spring Hill and tell them how close it is to the warranty period and how you don't have many miles. Also bring up that you've seen other cars with this problem. I would think you will have better luck trying to fight with the higher ups then at the dealer since the dealer won't be the one giving you a price break.

 

[Frank]

"Spongebob" wrote:

I have a 1999 Saturn SL, 5 speed with just over 24000 miles. Since I bought it in February 2002, I have put on just under 8000 miles. My engine coolant light had been going off for a few days. I checked and replaced the coolant. Light went away, but came back a few days later. Had it checked out by a mechanic I always go to (with previous cars as well), and he said, "your oil is getting in the water, and the water is getting in the oil. You should not be having this kind of trouble for having this low of mileage. Take it to the dealer and fight for this."

So I go to the Saturn dealer in Clarence, NY. They look at it and they contacted my girlfriend (I was at work), and there is a crack in the cylinder head. That part alone is $950. Total cost of repairs with parts ...

Ian,

I would investigate on the web the "secret warranties" and (also on the web) the process of resolving issues like this through the small claim courts (also search on "Saturn Sucks"). The are multiple escalating steps that you need to take for both and there are websites that coach you through this. Of course, nothing comes for free, with this path, you will invest lots of time and your car may not be fonctional for a while as you go through the initial steps.

BTW, my dealarship (I'm from Ottawa, Canada) sells a complete "kit" for this for CAN $1000 (US $650) (engine head, valves installed in the head, spring, gaskets... you just swap or re-use your cam). I didn't know about replacing all hoses and water pumps. I would have tought that a cleaning/purge with Calgon detergent (like when I flush my coolant system) would have sufficed but I can see how it might be beneficial.

Best of luck and please report back to us as you go along.

Francis Marquis
97 SL1, 97700Mi

 

[Spongebob]

All is well. After my research I talked to the Service Manager the same day I first posted this message, and said that "Half" would not be enough. Then he let me speak with his manager (probably regional manager), and said that Half is not good enough. He said that, "This is what they are doing in this situation." And I said back to him, well obviously this isn't the first time it has happened, since this is what they do in this "situation", and that 50/50 is not good enough since it is a reoccuring issue, and that there is a "flaw" in the cylinders dating back to '91. I said that will all the info I found out, that I will speak to whom ever I have to, to get this resolved. He said that he would again talk to the "Saturn people", but it was unlikely that it would be free. I said "We'll see, and again I'll go above your head, and whomever else I have to directly." He said he will be in touch.

He calls me back the next morning, and said they will cover everything except for a "deductible" of $250. Whatever they want to call the $250 payment, I don't care, b/c it is a lot better than 50/50, and certainly better than the full cost ($2952). So, it pays to do your research, to stand your ground, and speak up. If I hadn't said anything, they would've taken my $2952 without blinking. The car will done this Monday, or Tuesday at the latest.

Thanks to all that replied to my post.

Ian

 

[Guest]

I'm glad things woked out for you.

All is well. After my research I talked to the Service Manager the same day I first posted this message, and said that "Half" would not be enough. Then he let me speak with his manager (probably regional manager), and said that Half is not good enough. He said that, "This is what they are doing in this situation." And I said back to him, well obviously this isn't the first time it has happened, since this is what they do in this "situation", and that 50/50 is not good enough since it is a reoccuring issue, and that there is a "flaw" in the cylinders dating back to '91. I said that will all the info I found out, that I will speak to whom ever I have to, to get this resolved. He said that he would again talk to the "Saturn people", but it was unlikely that it would be free. I said "We'll see, and again I'll go above your head, and whomever else I have to directly." He said he will be in touch.

He calls me back the next morning, and said they will cover everything except for a "deductible" of $250. Whatever they want to call the $250 payment, I don't care, b/c it is a lot better than 50/50, and certainly better than the full cost ($2952). So, it pays to do your research, to stand your ground, and speak up. If I hadn't said anything, they would've taken my $2952 without blinking. The car will done this Monday, or Tuesday at the latest.

Thanks to all that replied to my post.

Ian

"your should warranty, researching

 

[David Teichholtz]

"Spongebob" wrote:

better than the full cost ($2952). So, it pays to do your research, to

stand

your ground, and speak up. If I hadn't said anything, they would've taken

my

$2952 without blinking. The car will done this Monday, or Tuesday at the latest.

You bet it does
Back in 1978 I bought a Plymouth Volare from a dealer. Car had about 12K on it, had remainder of warranty until maybe 15K. Transmission began to leak, dealer fixed it. Leaked again, dealer replaced the transmission. About 3 months and 2000 miles later the car was off the warranty and the replaced transmision began to shift funny. Brought it back to dealer who informed me that the 2ed gear was gone and no warranty applied. Replaced parts had a 60 day warranty, it was over. Said if I was unhappy I could call the Zone office.

I think we all know how useless zone offices are. I went home, called Chrysler in Detroit and asked for Lee Iacocca. I did not get Lee, but I got a fairly high level person. I explained that my transmission with 2K miles was bad and finished with "you guys were going bankrupt and I bought a Chrysler product. I damn well came through for Chrysler, and now you are going to damn well come through for me".

His response: "You bet we are". He got a new transmission authorized.

-David