Need information, 91 Saturn SC runs hot

Have a 91 Saturn SC which is over heating on really hot days. I believe the
air dam is missing and I understand that it needs to be replaced to aid in
cooling. When I bought the car it was already missing so I'm not sure what
the air dam looks like. I went to the local junk yard and they were no help.
When I told them what I needed they had no clue what I was talking about.
What Saturns they did have were laying on the ground and any plastic would
be crushed.
I checked with a friend who has a body shop and he looked in his books and
found several different parts described as radiator air deflectors. He can
get the parts for me but I'm not sure which parts to order. It looks like
something was bolted on to the plastic inner wheel wells and this is also
missing. Could someone please describe exactly what parts that I need that
makes up the air dam, and where it is attached under the car? Or maybe even
supply a picture. This would help out alot. Thanks.

Regards,
Dennis

 

the air dam is usually 1 or 2 pieces of black plastic which are attached
underneath the radiator. This usually consists of the radiadiator guard
which fits underneath the radiator and is slotted and a second piece which
is the air dam, attached in the front of the guard. My 94 SL4 was also
missing this piece, replacing it fixed my running hot issues.

marx404

 

The plastic air dams and inner fenders and other parts under the bumper are
prone to damage from gravel roads or deep snow or other debris and
particularly from parking curbs and the steel pegs that are used to anchor
them, (but never seem to be driven flush to the top of the curb). Always
avoid pulling your car all the way into these parking stalls, just put the
bumper up to but NOT over any parking curbs or sidewalks. Striking concrete
curbs and sidewalks with the subframe or sway bar can also cause expensive
steering alignment problems.

Any good Saturn dealer should be willing and able to print you an exploded
drawing of all the components in the area under the rad (or anyplace else on
the car). They can also give you the part numbers and retail prices for
these parts and for the (usually only marginally effective) OEM fasteners.
The under rad air dams are not very expensive but you do not want to make
replacing them a habit.

I do not have an air dam installed and have not had any problems with
overheating, but those in hotter climates do report that they make a
difference.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to help.

Dennis.

 

In addition to (or before), you should also check the more common causes of
overheating.

Check the drive belt and tension. Reverse wash the outside of the rad
cooling fins with warm soapy water (use caution with high pressure washers)
and ensure that there is nothing obstructing air flow such as oily dust or
dry grass or mud. Check the strength and age of the coolant. Standard EG
coolant should be changed every 2-3 years and should be mixed correctly for
strength both to protect against freezing and to raise the boiling point.
If a change is required clean the system with a solution of Calgon
dishwasher detergent and flush thoroughly. Check the condition of all hoses
before refilling.

In the recent past, engines often failed because of wear or oil system or
materials failure but modern engineering has solved most of these problems
and current engines are more likely to fail because of cooling system
problems. Unfortunately cooling system maintenance is often neglected until
it fails..