My 1999 Saturn started to blow smoke after i changed the spark plugs. It has 170,000 miles on it. I'm not sure if i need new head gaskets or maybe just get my engine overhauled.

 

Does it smoke just when you start it? How much oil does it go through per 1000 miles? Is it DOHC?

 

There is something missing here. And it could be my knowledge but!
The act of changing spark plugs is unscrewing from threaded hole and screwing into threaded hole.
From the written version of the symptom it is a little like;
Placed gas reciept in glove compartment and the right rear tire went flat. Do you think I should by a new garage door opener.
The simple act of replacing spark plugs should in no way cause an engine to suddenly start using oil unless there was something so badly wrong with it in the first place that one of the cylinders was not even firing and for what ever reason damaged the spark plug.
Thus when replaced it started firing and started burning the oil that was there.
Of course it probably ran like crap before you replaced spark plugs, but that was not stated.
Or
Something like, the spark plug sits in a tube which has a gasket at the bottom of it which seals things off. And the act of replacing the spark plugs damaged the gasket and now oil is being sucked into places it does not belong.
It's been a few years since I replace spark plugs on mine and I don't remember.
Or I can look up in the service manual and see if there is a tube
or
maybe there is additional information that you could share?
Should I go out and take a spark plug out of mine or check the service literature?

 

It blows white smoke when i start it and rev the engine. The car does not overheat or anything. It runs good except for the smoke. It goes thru 2 quarts for every 1000 miles and its a DOHC.

 

keep the oil topped off and keep on enjoying

 

DERF has a way at looking at things logically, but if you follow his recommended course of action, ya oughta apply to the local mosquito control board for a stipend -- after all, you ARE out there helping ..........