Learning curve...part 2
 

Okay, so my pistons are shot. Want to do the right thing so I hone the jugs, replace the pistons with new, new rod bearings, oil pump, cam & timing bits (tensioner etc), water pump, resurface the flywheel, clutch package, replace both axles (2 torn boots, not on the same axle of course).


Run good, baby through break in, change oil. Family emergency calls for me to drive 500 miles round trip, over the Sierra, 2-3 time a week for 2 months, then 200 miles 4 times a week, then 120 daily. And go to work.


20K miles since top rebuild, catastrophic engine failure 2 days before Christmas. Park it jump in my Cherokee XJ.


Any ideas?


Star searching for an engine at the "right price". PAX

Well, what do you mean by catastrophic? Did it throw a rod through the block, lock up, just quit running or what? This is too vague a question. Could be anything from running out of oil and locking the engine to a simple wiring problem. What are the symptoms and have you run codes on it?

Hi Rube,


Was vague on purpose, so I could respond and build up my post count.


I see by your avatar you're an aviation aficionado. When you have a catastrophic engine failure in a flying machine, what happens, forced landing. Same thing side ways for me, but in 2 planes not 3 axis.


In my instance, there was little noise, but in my rear view mirror, it looked like I was a screening destroyer escort for the main battle group. All the cars behind me got on the binders. That cleared me to the shoulder and coast to off ramp.


I figured I sucked a valve or ?. Later I find a rod through the block, but never got a chance to tear it down for the root cause, was a core motor after that.


Crank journals miked in spec, new oil pump, rod bearings, new blah, blah, blah. Wasn't anywhere near the yellow arc. Most engine failures occur during a change in power, none of that, just tooling along straight and level. Was the mildest, quietest, most uneventful complete failure I've experienced.


Is this a common theme with these power plants? PAX


PS, couldn't upload my avatar it's a B-25 "The Second Amendment"

That's the first I've heard of a Saturn just dying like that. I never had any problems with any car doing that except an old Pontiac 600 I had that the fuel pump went out in. It just died going down the interstate. No warning at all, just died. Have you checked for fuel and spark? I'd run codes first, but if none show up, check for fire and fuel. If that's present, then you know to check compression. IF all that checks out, then I'm guessing a busted timing chain. Rare, but could happen. I really don't know. As far as you not being able to post your avatar, you need to get your post count up to 25 and then get in touch with derf or billy. Either one of them will hook you up. I love the P-51 Mustangs. To me, it's the classiest fighter we've ever had. The new planes are sleek, but to me, have nowhere the class looks of the P-51. I do like the B-25's too, just not as much! LOL I've never flown in either, but would love the opportunity some day.

Rube, see prEvious post, ROD THROUGH BLOCK.


RE: flying machines
Worked for some crop dusters from '76 thru '85, 440 Wright Stearmans then 450 Pratt AG Cats. Many hangar stories to be told with your hands.
Owned PA22-160, 182E, and a SOCATA Rallye Minerva

So there was nothing else on the WHOLE FORUM to post to, so you post a purposely vague question to build up your post count?

Seriously?

Oh and I took the "swap o rama quiz" with your other posts, which seemed more like a hypothetical trivia game than anything terribly useful.

Any post that ends with the question "how COULD I have made this work?" implicitly implies that the poster is asking a hypothetical question, as opposed to a post that seeks input, advice, or the help of other forum members.

The answer is of factual value (if correct) but of no practical value, unless the other 23,466 possible working configurations of S series DOHCs are fleshed out.

____

Ooops -- forgot to throw in my 2 cents.

You were running on spent oil, in the midst of trying to stretch an oil change significantly past 3k on dino oil-->something's going to give.

Clean oil --> high mileage Saturn S car.
Dirty dino oil >3000 mi -->dead Saturn S car.