93 Saturn ... won't pass emissions test

[Forrest]

Howdy.



Did you own, or do you own a Saturn around that year? This one isn't mine, but I may pick it up. I don't know if it's the 8 valve or 16 valve. This is the 1st year it hasn't passed the "smog" test. They put $400 into it, still doesn't pass.



It's unknown what was done, probably a "tune up", oil change. The owner said it may be the "computer", doesn't know how to or want to change it. Question ... anyone have experience with this vintage/series?



At this point, I don't think it has "visible smoke". I understand it runs fine. Any ideas?





thanks,



Forrest

 

[KBennett]

I had a '92 SL2 16 valve and it was a great car. Handled like it was on rails and had lots of pep. Mine always passed emissions with flying colors. I had a Nissan pickup that wouldn't pass emissions. It turned out to be the thermostat that would not let the motor get up to full temperature.

I hear that Laquer Thinner helps things burn really clean when you mix a couple quarts in on a full tank.

 

[MMeier]

I've found that copious (lots ) amounts of Berryman's B-12 chemtool in the fuel tank can do wonders for a failing car! I use it regularly on my gassers , I have put as much as 3/4 of a gallon in a half tank of gas before. Run the car hot and heavy to help it out and then straight to the testing facility and do not shut off till the test is done !

 

[Forrest]

Dl5treez ... i agree. I remember going thru that with my 78 Bronco with the 351M. I don't know yet which value failed. The owner definately has the report ... i'll have to get ahold of it. It'll definately help narrow it down.



Thanks KBennett. I'm hoping it's really something simple like that & it's sure nice to know about the thermostat. Yea, if it's not up to temp, it can't combust properly.



Sweeeet MMeier, thanks. :-laf There IS more than 1 way to skin that cat huh.



I'll bet the $400 included the oxygen sensor. I'll be sure to get the receipt & see what they changed, then crawl around to verify.



I picked up a car one time for free. The owner said "I just want someone to haul it off". I asked whats wrong, he said "Oil Pressure". Fine, I drove it home. I wish I could remember the car, but like KBennett said, handled like it was on rails, lots of power too. When I got it home, I rolled it up on the ramps & sure nuff, it was a bad oil pressure sending unit. I pulled the wires off ... oil. :-laf Then I checked out the sway bars. No kidding, they were the diameter of the ones on our 2500 Dodges. Good stuff.



Much thanks. Great ideas. Hopefully I'll have a chance to "tinker".

 

[TPCDrafting]

We've had 3 saturns, the first two we drove to about 140k. The second one was a '97 SC1 (SOHC) Wasn't very quick, but it got 40-45 mpg. It had a seal leaking that was putting oil on the clutch. It wasn't slipping yet, but it was coming so I traded it off for a L200 V6. Quality isn't as good, but it's a much nicer car for long drives. The local brand inspector drives them, his last one had 380,000 miles and counting. He was gonna see just how far it would go. Only bolt on stuff had failed like alternators, PS pumps, etc. The Saturn dealer was going to buy it when he was done to put it on display, but somebody T-boned him and it was totaled. He walked away from the accident. My point is if you can fix the problem, it should be a good A-B reliable car.

 

[Forrest]

Thanks TPC ... wow 380 kilomiles ... he didn't miss many oil changes.



re: the T Bone job ... my daughter is on #2. #1 got sandwiched. She was on the commute, got rear ended big time, slammed her into the car in front. The car did its crumple zone thing, front & rear, air bag deployed, door opened fine. Other than that, problem free.

 

[jeepit]

I have a 93 Saturn 8 valve. Bought it used and it really has been a nice car. Rides great but seems to use a little oil. Has 103000 on it now. I would buy another if I needed too.

 

[BigEd]

Hello Forrest



I have a 93 Saturn SL2 16 valve. I bought this car brand new in Baltimore, MD at the first Saturn dealership in the area. It had 1/2 mile on it. The car currently has 325,000 miles on it and has had absolutely nothing go wrong with it, just general maintenance. I would definitely buy another one. I wish I could find a good one.



But to answer your question about the emission test. Not knowing what the readings were and not knowing if you have an idle test or an IM/240 test in your state, I will tell you from a lot of experience that these cars had a lot of catalytic converter problems and EGR solinoid problems. By the way, if your car is an SL1, it is an 8 valve and the SL2 is a 16 valve. I hope this helps!

 

[Forrest]

thanks jeepit ... common theme with these cars, isn't it?





yo BigEd :--) 325 kilomiles? :--) I don't know if it's an 8 or 16v ... i'm hoping it's a 16v. can't wait to find out more. thanks for those tips ... they can pull my fingernails out ... i won't tell THEM :-laf

 

[Forrest]

oh ... BigEd ... what oil have you been using in the Saturn over those miles & how often do you change it?

 

[BigEd]

Forrest



I've used Valvoline 5W30 for the first 200,000 miles, at 3000 mile intervals.

Because Saturns had higher oil consumption than most other cars, I was told by a Saturn tech that valvoline did not have any wax products in the oil (which keeps the rings from sticking). That's why I used it. I think Saturns use oil more than normal, because the cylinder walls have a deep cross hatch pattern to them (you can feel it with your fingernail). I think Saturn did this so the rings do not wipe off the oil on the cylinders. Also, Saturn called this engine block lost foam casting. In other words, the texture of the engine block is similar to a styrofoam cooler.



However, I used Blackstone Labs to do an oil sample on my diesel and they circulated a letter stating that most oils today are the same providing you use the proper weight and grade for your vehicle and the API donut (which stands for american petroleum institute). Most brand name oils are just big$$$$$$$$ in advertising, which is passed on to the consumer.



Since then, I've used pretty much anything that was on sale, still maintaining every 3000 mile intervals.



I hope this helps.