I am asking this for a friend. I am in no way, shape, or form into cars. I am a truck guy with pretty good mechanicle skills.

Anyways, he has a 99 saturn SL with the 1.9L motor. His complains were that the car will run for a bit and then stall. He changed all the plugs and wires and it ran good for about 45 miles and then one of the plugs fouled out. So he went and changed the plug again and the coil packs. Still, the plug is fouling out. I asked him if the car is puffing black smoke when it starts up and he said he can see it on the ground after he starts it. Does this sound like injectors to you guys? or could there be something else that is wrong? What tests should i run?

 

First thing I'd do, is run the OBD II and find out what codes are stored up in the computer. If you don't have one, AutoZone (or similar) will usually do it for you at no charge (they figure they can sell you the repair parts).

Get the code numbers, and post them here ....

 

I dont believe the CEL is on. Is it like the older vehicles where there will be stored codes even though the CEL isnt on?

 

How much oil does the engine consume per 3k mi?
how many mi on car?

will it start again right after stalling?

 

I will find out form him and let you know. He doesnt have a phone so it is pretty hard to get ahold of this guy. Thanks for your replies

 

Well i talked to him and he said its got 150k on the odo, the rear main is leaking and so is the valve cover so i cant say wether or not the motor is burning any oil. He said when he pulls the plug, the gap is closed with carbon.

The CEL is on and i will be getting the codes tomorrow

 

i will uncautiously guess a P034x code is in the mix

 

You think it has something to do with the cam sensor rather than the injectors themselves?

 

Well went to his place and ran the codes on the car. Here is what i got
P0138- 02 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank I Sensor 2)
P0302-cylindar 2 misfire detected (as to be expected)
P1133-HO2S Insufficient Switching Bank 1 Sensor

Those are the only codes in the system. Is there something here that would lead to the cyl 2 misfire? Or am I still to be leaning to that injector? I looked at the plug he pulled out when i got there. It was all gummed up from not firing. He has changed wires and coil packs and is using Ngk plugs.

 

dangit i meant a P030X -- (misfire code) that's what I get for not concentrating
oops

there is no cam sensor on an s car. The misfires are interpreted through the ignition circuitry (non technical explanation).

I would think that the plug is fouled from oil....you said the cam cover was leaking.
Is the #2 plug well full of oil?

Also -- check the coil towers for corrosion and remove.

You can also play the coil pack swap game to see if the misfire follows the coil pack or stays with the cylinder.