Saturn loosing oil?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lbbss
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lbbss

I've never had problems loosing oil in my saturn SL1, so I don't check
the oil level often. But this last month I realize I ran my engine
untill is showed totally nothing on my dip stick (dry). Now that I
know I have a problem i add a half a quart every 300 miles. I have
no leaks on my driveway and don't see any leaks under the car. My
antifreeze look fine too. My exhaust does not look black. Any
ideas? Thanks
 
forgot to mention its a 2002 with 60,000 miles. Is it possible that
there was still oil in the engine even though the dip stick showed
empty? My engine did not over heat when that happened and the oil
light went on for a few seconds and then turned off. tx
 
lbbss said:
I've never had problems loosing oil in my saturn SL1, so I don't check
the oil level often. But this last month I realize I ran my engine
untill is showed totally nothing on my dip stick (dry). Now that I
know I have a problem i add a half a quart every 300 miles. I have
no leaks on my driveway and don't see any leaks under the car. My
antifreeze look fine too. My exhaust does not look black. Any
ideas? Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi! This is a very frequently asked question. Google is your friend!
http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=saturn+oil&qt_s=Search+Groups.
 
The oil burning issue is mostly on the SL2 (twin cam) engines. Not familiar
with this on SL1 but that's not to say it doesn't happen as well.
 
Sounds like a stuck ring. Easiest fix I know of is GM Top Engine Cleaner.

Steve
 
If you checked the oil on level ground and let it sit for a minute or more
after driving, then the dipstick measurement was most likely accurate. When
did you have the oil last changed and was it properly filled at that time?
Was it the correct weight of oil that was used? Did you check whoever did
the work? I assume it took two quarts to bring to the full line ... since
the engine holds 4 quarts, it was at least 50% low and if it was driven for
any length of time in this condition, then irreparable long term damage
might have resulted from this action.

Since you say the engine seals are not leaking (make sure you inspect the
underside of the vehicle), then if it was full, then the oil must be getting
burned in the combustion chamber. Do you see any evidence of this when you
drive, such as blue puffs of smoke on acceleration or gear shifts? You can
remove the spark plugs and inspect them to see if any shows signs of being
oil fouled. You also can do a cylinder compression test to see if one has a
stuck ring, which is a problem that has plagued the Saturn engine over the
years. You can google on this symptom to find several posts of ways to use
A GM top cylinder product, Seafoam, Marvel Mystery Oil, etc. to try to get
the ring to seal properly again.

By the way, I've also heard anecdotal cases of where using a different oil
caused increased consumption or leakage, so if you recently changed oil
manufacturers or weights, then revert to whatever you used previously.

Good luck.

Bob
 
P.s maybe this is related, but this last winter I started having a
problem on the freeway, often the car has no power. It takes a long
timer to reach 60 miles per hour. I still have this problem, some
days not as bad as others.
 
P.s maybe this is related, but this last winter I started having a
problem on the freeway, often the car has no power. It takes a long
timer to reach 60 miles per hour. I still have this problem, some
days not as bad as others.
Click to expand...

What did the mechanic say?

What have you checked for that problem?

When was the last time you checked your plugs and wires?
 
How do I know if my SL1 has twin cam or not? on top of the engine
it has the letters EFI/OHC
are all SL1 SOH?
 
P.s maybe this is related, but this last winter I started having a
problem on the freeway, often the car has no power. It takes a long
timer to reach 60 miles per hour. I still have this problem, some
days not as bad as others.
Click to expand...

Often with a case like this if you push down a little more firmly and
farther on the accelerator pedal your car will go faster. Sometimes too,
letting off of the clutch or brake pedal helps too.
 
I believe the SL1 is a 1.9L single overhead cam. EFI= Electronic Fuel
Injection. OHC=Over Head Cam.

Bob
 
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