I have a 2002SC1 with 138,000 miles and it uses oil but does not smoke. Is this a common problem and what is the fix? Is it feasible to do a ring and valve job? No local mechs seem to know anything about the engine, appreciate any advice or help.

Yes, Saturns are oil burners but not more than any cars of high mileage. Its just a good idea to check oil levels every other tank of gas. Oil consumption can go as high as 1-qt/1,000 miles. Some owners have had success with Marvel Mystery oil soaks in the cylinders; an ounce or two overnite, maybe a pint in the oil a thousand miles before oil changing to loosen up ring deposits. Improvements vary from car to car. As long as there isn't any visible oil smoking and oil consumption is reasonable (none posted) just keep topping off between oil changes. You might be interested in this link; http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80118.

some oil is consumed do to the general design of the cylinder head. at highway speeds especially, the engine rpm is such that it draws more oil up into the head. some of this oil gets sucked thru your intake (that little rubber hose that goes from your cam cover to either your intake manifold or intake tube and burned in the combustion process.


checking your oil regularly is the BEST thing you can do for your car.


if you're losing LOTS of oil, a rebuild might be in order, but usually it's not. if you install an oil catch-can, you'll see just how much oil normally goes thru your engine's combustion process. if it's not asmuch as you're losing, you have other issues...








s3aturnr








Edited by: S3aturnR

As far as I can tell there are no oil leaks so I have to guess the oil is being burned . A member mentioned a catch can and I don't know exactly what that is. Would that be similar toan air oil separator?