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-   Saturn S Series Sedan (https://www.saturnforum.com/forum/saturn-s-series-sedan-27/)
-   -   '97 SW2 engine rebuild (https://www.saturnforum.com/forum/saturn-s-series-sedan-27/97-sw2-engine-rebuild-7562/)

KKris21188 02-20-2013 08:26 PM

'97 SW2 engine rebuild
 
Hi, my name is Kris. I am new to the whole forum thing so please bare with me. I have a '97 Saturn SW2 which has the 1.9 I4 DOHC. It is burning oil profusely, and I know that the piston rings are a big problem with that engine. I am mechanically savvy, and know a great deal about cars in general, but have never rebuilt a motor before I was hoping for some insight on this whole project. Anyone out there willing to help?

derf 02-21-2013 10:37 AM

moved your post to the S car section

PM Octavious -- maybe he can help you out

keith 02-21-2013 01:57 PM

Define "willing to help".

I'd first make sure it is burning oil and not loosing it thru a leak. Then I'd make sure the PVC system is working properly. after that, I'd try to unstick the rings unless this is a very high mileage vehicle.

Do you have access to an engine puller (cherry picker) and an engine stand? do you want to try doing this with the engine still in the car? It is possible but it is very difficult.

Octavious 02-22-2013 08:37 AM

Hi Kris, Im Chris hahaha. I was in the same position as you, Know quite abit and am good with a wrench but I really havent buillt a motor before mine either, However I had a friend who has done numerous motors helping me - but its pretty straight forward. The hardest part will probably be redoing the head, but I had a shop take care of mine cause I didnt want the headache.

How many qts do you go through before an oil change? Normally id go through 2-2.5 qts every 2000 miles, engine only had 119k on it at the time.

KKris21188 02-23-2013 06:38 AM

Depending on how I drive I burn 3.5 to 6 quarts a every oil change. Also how do i move the thread to what derf recommended. Also to Kieth, I have everything nessecary to get the job done. Had to pull the engine and trans Oct. 2011 because the trans failed. I know my pvc system is working and I know that I want to just rebuild it. I plan on getting a spare engine so i can take my time with it. This "is" my daily driver and I cant afford to not have my car.

derf 02-23-2013 09:15 AM

i moved your post to the s car section -- we have no sw section so here is fine. I belive it was in the L section so I moved it here....all's fine with that

keith 02-23-2013 01:12 PM

Do you have any manuals for this vehicle? I have a Haynes that covers 91-02 and most of the volumes of the factory service manual (FSM) for 2000-02. I don't do transmissions so I don't have those two volumes.

I would suggest that you get the Haynes, I have actually found it more useful than the FSM except for code troubleshooting and wiring diagrams. I can help you with specifications, but if you have a manual, you will save a lot of time and it will answer most of your questions.

It is not required, but I would replace all the head bolts if you can find the factory replacement bolts through a GM dealer. Don't get them at a hardware store. It appears that they are torque to yield type bolts, but I'm not sure.

Octavious 02-23-2013 03:18 PM

Wow, thats alot of oil!. I was able to get arp head studs for under $150 for mine. The haynes manual does fine, but I do have the transmission FSM (actually I have all the FSM for 98-99), and since you've already have taken the motor out you know how to do that part. Getting a spare motor is an excellent idea, I did have a spare 98' motor that I was going to rebuild into mine, but my brother got tired of seeing it and scrapped it one day :(

I have alot of pictures from my rebuild here If you want to look over them, might give you an Idea of what your looking at. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/393285...turn-s-series/

KKris21188 02-23-2013 04:16 PM

I have a manual Chiltons I think, but its all the same. I have access to professional alldata, and yes i know that's a "LOT" of oil which is why I am trying to fix it. My plan of attack is get a used motor rebuild it make it for every day driving. Take the one that is in it already and make it my toy motor, I have seen many people make these motors very powerful and that is something I would like to do. Now I know all the parts to an engine and I'm a mechanic by trade but I have never been balls deep in a motor. Most I can do is change parts.

Octavious 02-24-2013 12:03 AM

I did a slight performance build on mine, oversized pistons and slight compression bump, not a huge difference but I get my fair share of fun out of it. you can turbo these motors (go to differentracing.com) but apperently they lose all reliability when its done - and it needs forged internals which is $$$$.

I believe I have some extra parts laying around from mine, like an extra intake manifold and brackets and whatnot if you need any

KKris21188 02-24-2013 07:43 PM

If I'm not mistaken, aren't the stock connecting rods forged. I know for the toy motor that I will need to spend some money on it. Once I get a reliable motor and I can put some real money ($5000 max)then I will, but until then i just need to get through this first rebuild. Again, I realize it's a "wagon" but that is the point for me. I want people to look at it and say "WOW, and it's a wagon".

uncljohn 02-28-2013 07:29 AM

I have rebuilt more than one motor and I can assure you that if you have $5000.00 to put into rebuilding it, you can take the motor and the money to a professional engine shop and let them do it for you and bring it back and install it. And have change.
If I had to guess what you have to go through to rebuild your engine and have it reliable is a machine shop some where would and should do the machining and the ordering of an engine kit which gives all the parts that should be replaced when rebuilding something.
That is rotating parts with the crankshaft and pistons all bearings and gaskets etc plus what ever is needed to do the head.
All of these parts are generally what takes the machining required to get the job done correctly.
My guess some where under $2000.00 or so should get it back to you ready to assemble or maybe even assembled.
And when put back in the car, keep in mind that the reason you are doing this can probably be attributed to the daily use of a 5WXX motor oil which frankly is way too thin to properly oil the engine on a daily basis unless the out side temperature is regularly maintained at something below 5 degrees F. And then even then would probably wear out the engine rather fast.

KKris21188 02-28-2013 04:51 PM

No my spare motor i am getting is going to be stock. Its what I'm going to with the motor i have in it now that will cost some money, I plan on making a few performance modifications that will cost the money.


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