1997 Saturn SL engine and engine cooling problems

“SEVERE RUST OUT OF THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) ALONG THE LEFT SIDE, PARTICULARLY AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT POCKET. THIS CONDITION WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE RUSTED SUB-FRAME. RUST CONDITION WAS CONFINED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WITH NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OR CROSS BEAMS. BROUGHT TO SATURN'S ATTENTION BUT CONCERN WAS DENIED AS THE "VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". SATURN NEVER ADDRESSED THE ISSUE THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *TR”

“"ENGINE RUNS HOT & ENGINE OIL MIXED WITH COOLANT RESERVOIR (REPLACE CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY)" THAT'S WHAT IT STATES ON SERVICE BULLETIN 96-T-65B. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON 91-97 SATURNS. OUR SATURN STARTED OFF BY HAVING CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE COLORED FOAMY-NESS IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR (IT'S HAD THAT SINCE WE GOT IT 2 YEARS AGO SO NOT SURE HOW LONG IT'S HAD THIS), THEN IT OVER HEATED, THEN THE LOW COOLANT & COOLANT TEMP LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THEN THE 2ND SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT 3 TIMES NOW (IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS)! IF SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THIS WHY HAVE THEY NOT RECALLED IT??? WE HAVE GOT THE SPARK PLUG REPAIRED NOW 3 TIMES & NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. *TR”

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. HE THEN PULLED OVER AS THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FLAMES. AFTER HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND OIL SPRAYED OUT FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR”

“A EXTREME PROBLEM WITH OIL CONSUMPTION SINCE THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE WITH EVERY MILE DRIVEN. I AM AT THE POINT NOW OF PUTTING/ADDING 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 300-400 MILES. ENGINE FREEZE IS NOW ON THE HORIZON DUE TO SLUDGE BUILD-UP. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS IS WHAT SATURNS DO. CAN THIS BE RIGHT TO THE CONSUMER. *NM”

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.*AK”

“HEAD GASKET BLEW AT 68,00 MILES IN MY 1997 SATURN SL1. SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME IT WAS NOT DUE TO ANY NEGLIGENCE ON MY PART, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE REASON FOR THIS DEFECT.*AK”