Hello there to all you Saturn owners out there. I came here a few weeks ago seeking information on the first generation Saturn casting numbers listed on the heads. I didn't find what I was looking for here, but I did enjoy reading some of the posts, and considering my experience, perhaps I could answer some questions. I have been a Mechanic for over 30 years. Everything from 18-Wheeler's to chain saws, haha. I worked as a heavy line Mechanic for 10 years on Diesel Trucks, then 10 years as a Transmission Diagnostician, most recently, 10 years working on cars and trucks. Every thing from drive-ability to electrical problems. If I don't know the answer to your questions, I have access to a large data-base at work, so hopefully I can be of some help to others here. Any questions, just ask and I will get back to you ASAP! Thank you for having me!

 

Good to have you here. There is a Owner here having trouble getting one of his monitors to run.

 

from your other post you indicated you had a 93 SC1.
How many mi?

Any other Satty's in the stable?

They're probably like Mattel toys to you but the rest of us use them as daily drivers

Nice to have another experienced mechanic aboard.

Please configure your signature to look like ours by

go to top rt of scrn>>clk name>>UserCP>>select edit signature on left side

Also, please get your post count up to 10 in a hurry or the grim reaper of inactivity (GROIN) will shut down your acct. Post pix of your satty---1 to a post, your tool box, comment on off topic threads, point out misinformation I've been spreading across the forum, whatever floats your mechanical boat.

You'll find we're a rather impolite mish mash of youngins modding Ions (for GO not show), a few old fart shadetree dudes, a bunch of mutts from all over the US, and even a few women who not only put up with our shyt but dish it right back.

We are a small group of active posters hell bent on helping others keep their saturns on the road. Hence the post count minimum. After 10 posts, the GROIN vanishes and you are a permanent member. After 25, we'll get an avatar set up for you.

Given your wide ranging experience in vehicle diag and repair + ownership of a Saturn,
we'd love to have you stick around!

 

Hi Derf, Thank you for the warm reception! Yes, 1993 SC1 with 359,000 miles before the odometer quit working. Thought I had blown a head gasket, compression was 125, 75, 35 and 125. Thought perhaps some carbon build up on one of the valves to account for the lower one. But the head gasket was okay, so that only leaves a cracked head. After sitting for over a year, it now has some other issues as well, haha. Think you for the information, I'm still learning how to navigate this sight, but I'm sure I'll get up to speed soon enough, haha. Thank you again, I'll have to take some picks! This is quite the project car / Mattel toy! LOL!

 

Okay Derf, made it to the edit signature page...now what? Much better at working on cars than setting up web accounts, lol! I know what a signature is, but how do I get it to look like everyone else's? Also, how do I post photos to my sight...through the album link?

 

Couldn't find much on the catalyst monitor for the 02' LW300, that you haven't already covered. I'll see what I can find at work tomorrow. Sounds like it might be something going on with the o-2 sensor, but if no codes, that may be a challenge to figure without looking at the scanner data to see if anything jumps out.

 

Welcome to the forum, man. Glad to have you here.

 

359K+ on an SOHC? That's mighty fine!

Sounds like a full teardown; the service limit is about 160-180 if I remember correctly and although I have driven on much less (and apparently so have you), if you're putting money into a new head you might as well rebuild the whole puppy back to factory specs.

Actually, someone on the board has/had an 92 SL1 for sale. Don't know current status. Might you want as a donor car or for a transplant(?). Damn he's in WV n you MO.

As for signature, click edit sig, then type in the box, hit "return" to go to the next line, etc. Name, location, car/model/year (for staturns) is fine. Feel free to list other cars you own as well. As for posting photos, pm goaliemo --he'll show you how to use photobucket (web site) to upload pictures there and make them show up in your posts.

Won't you, Goalie....................?

 

Hey there Rubehayseed thank you for the warm welcome! I just love your quote by Einstein! I have some really good one's too, but not sure if they would be appropriate for this sight, lol. Everyone is soooo sensitive these days, you really have to watch what you say. You know..."You don't have to watch what you say, if you watch what you think"...(Bill Johnson) So, I will have to give that a little thought. Thanks again Rube!

 

Hey derf
You know I was considering the same thing too, not sure how many miles on the clutch either. After a year considering what to do with this car, and all the time involved with the stereo system and amps and speakers, wiring, relays, switches, etc... The 125 compression left in the two good cylinders, the fact it ran pretty strong for a SOHC before the head cracked, and no lower end noise in cold winter starts, I was just going to do a head gasket, then maybe a rebuild later on. But after pulling the head, and still seeing hash marks in the cylinder walls, all the way down, and very little carbon on the pistons, not nearly as bad as I expected for that many miles. I just figured I'd start with the head, while I could still find a good one. Maybe get started on a block, then when the clutch goes, do the whole 9 yards. Even considering going with DOHC, PCM and harness's. If not, hopefully the head will still be in good enough shape, I can just swap it over with new bolts and gasket if I decide to keep the little SOHC.
I got the car about 5 years ago, with about 150,000 miles. I'm a strong believer in Slick 50, especially just before it gets really cold here. Usually two oil changes during winter. Used it in my 1979 Grand Prix for 20 years, and just about 300,000 miles before the rings went out. That's pretty good for a first generation 3.8L. That block outlasted 3 transmissions, lol! But you know, with sooo many projects, goals and timelines, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. I also have a 1991 Geo Storm, rust bucket-Flintstone Mobile, LOL! (Daily Driver) That really needs my attention. I do a little body work too, but I think that car will be all fiberglass when I'm done, so at least no more rust or dents! That one thing I love about the Saturn's, well, up until about 07' I think?
Also, thanks for the "Signature" information. I'll get on that right away. But...I will need a whole page to list all my vehicles, lol! I'm down to 8, from a count of 13, haha. Did find some info on that 02' LW300. Going there right now to post it.