Because when it no longer blows it glows

 

Hello, I just wanted to introduce myself and explain why I chose to join this forum. My wife and I are both long-since retired and we were fortunate to acquire my 100 year old mother-in-law's 1998 Saturn SL2 with only 65,700 miles. I don't believe the car ever sat outside overnight! We towed it on a dolly to our house and I am just going through everything to asses its condition and make repairs. Her mother quit driving about 6 years ago, and only her visiting children ever used the car since. So far we have installed a new battery, aired the 4 year old tires, replaced the O-rings and Schrader valves in the A/C system (good leak test and recharge). I have ordered a new power window regulator for the back driver's door, and am evaluating the exhaust in the flex-pipe area. The car is a little small for both the wife and I, but I think it is a cute and interesting piece of transportation. The condition of the car makes it quite special, as many of the "S" series seem to be significantly "aged". I look at it as a rare find, although maybe not so valuable. I intend to search the many posts for information on servicing and repairing this car.

 

Welcome.

If the flex pipe has a hole, it's more expensive but much easier to replace with a downpipe/flex pipe piece.

 

Thank you! I am looking at the front assembly on eBay for around $130 - thinking of doing it myself. Supposedly it is aluminized steel, but I know from experience that a lot of the time, the factory parts last much longer than replacement parts. New exhaust pipes are now all aftermarket pieces. So, not sure whether to let a shop weld in a new flex section or buy the whole assembly and put it in.

 

Welcome to the forum. Derf is the forums go to guy on S series cars as he's owned 2 and has worked on them both extensively. What he doesn't know, he'll sure as hell research it until he finds an answer. He's tenacious, like bulldog.