Oil cooler failure. Noticed orange colored "gunk" on ground under car following oil change. Seemed to be coming from coolant reservoir. Took car in for coolant flush. Was informed that there was oil in the coolant and that engine had major problems. Independent mechanic said that he would have to tear into engine to discover source. Found it to be a leaking oil cooler. Oil cooler was replaced along with all coolant hoses, thermostat, and coolant reservoir. Total was $2100 ($571 for oil cooler). Have all old parts. Saturn customer service acknowledges a tsb regarding oil cooler in the l81 engine but refuses to reimburse even for parts.
2001 Saturn LS engine complaints
Page 12 of 12: complaints 311 to 339 of 339, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Fax fm (ks) request that a recall is issued by gm/saturn for a faulty timing chain, reply attn shawn cowing/ overload park ofc. *ts the consumer stated the manufacturer was aware that there was a problem, therefore they redesigned the timing chain oiler. The consumer was unable to get any financial assistance.
I have a 2001 saturn l-series passenger vehicle with a 2.2 4-cylinder engine. The engine has 69k miles and the timing chain broke causing severe engine trouble (bent valves), with an estimated cost of $2400. If there is damage to any of the pistons then the cost will increase significantly. The mechanic that I take my vehicle to used to teach auto mechanics at the local high school until they eliminated the program. As my mechanic was explaining the problem to me he tells me that one of his former students now works as a mechanic for saturn. My mechanic had trouble diagnosing the problem and so he called his former student who informed him that it could possibly be a broken timing chain. He goes on to tell me that the timing chain is oiled by spraying oil on to the chain through an orifice that is not much bigger than a pin hole. This tiny hole where the oil sprays from is at the end of a plastic piece about a half inch long. If something should block this hole the chain becomes dry and eventually breaks. It is my opinion that their original design had a fatal design flaw, which saturn came to recognize, I can only assume due to numerous problems with the timing chain breaking, probably while the vehicles were under warranty, forcing them to come up with the redesign. I believe this could be a serious safety issue as well for anyone who drives a saturn with the original oilier. It is a disaster waiting to happen. Should someone be driving on a freeway and have their timing chain break for it would be like someone putting on the brakes but without the signal thus placing them as well as anyone behind them in a dangerous situation. I sent the full story to your webmaster. You need to allow more space. *nm
Saturn lw300 crankshaft position sensor failure (3/05) - replaced body control module failure (11/05) - replaced mass air flow sensor failure (11/05) - replaced oil cooler leak (11/05) - resealed battery failure (just over 1 year old, 11/05) - replaced under warranty.
I have a 2001 saturn l-series, 2.2l engine. I was driving under 30 MPH,engine died. Diagnosis: timing chain broke, + all the valves bent cost to me $2400 (see odi id #10142499.) also see complaint odi id #10129780, dated 7/16/05. This vehicle was a 2000 saturn l-series, passenger car. This individual was driving on highway 101 in california when his motor suddenly stopped working. He was told several days later that the timing chain broke and in his case the entire motor needed to be replaced. I am sure in his case because he was driving at a higher rate of speed and the valves continued to hit the pistons damaging the entire engine. Had he been in heavy traffic this could have resulted in a serious safety issue. I don't know if saturn has issued any technical service bulletins, my dealer says no but I would guess they have since the area (engine rebuilders association) has issued a technical bulletins dated april 2004 which says, "the area technical committee offers the following information regarding changes to the timing chain and oiling nozzle on the 2000-2003 saturn 2.2l engines. All gm timing chain kits available through gm service have a revised nozzle included in the kit. The revised nozzle has higher flow rate characteristics that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low RPM operating conditions. Whenever replacing the timing chain, it is important to replace the oil nozzle." this same engine is in at least the chevy cavalier. I contend that the original timing chain oil is faulty, it does not maintain the proper oil to the timing chain under low RPM, thus causing it to heat up and over time break, which causes major engine damage and expense to the customer. This could be a serious safety problem should this happen in rush hour traffic around any major city putting innocent people's lives in jeopardy. Gm should issue a recall and fix this problem by installing or in mine and I am sure others cases paying for the repair.
On october 1, 2005 will driving home, my car stopped with no warning. After having three machincs inspect the vechile, the diagnosis was the timining chain had broken and caused serious damage to my engine. I brought the car used with 38,000 miles and it now has 50,000 miles. The repairs saturn quoted me was 4,700 to repair the engine.
Exterior lighting and engine coolant leakage inside of car. Car smoking.
Dt: the consumer was driving the vehicle when he turned a corner and he heard a pop. The vehicle lost all power and would not start again. The vehicle was towed to aaa to westridge saturn 4692 ridge road west, spencerport, new york. 585‑352‑5995. The consumer then learned that the timing chain was broke. The consumer has been told by the dealer that it would be next week before they could get to it to fix it. The consumer says that the timing chain should last longer than 54000 miles. *ak
The timing chain on my wife's 2001 saturn l-200 unexpectedly broke, causing permanent engine damage, requiring (according to the dealer service dep't) a rebuilt engine. Driving conditions were normal (flat surface, in-town driving, broke about 3 blocks from home), and no previous warning signs were available (sputtering, loss of power, etc.). This part is labeled as not needing servicing/replacing until 100,000 miles. My wife's chain broke at approximately 75,000 miles. The dealer refuses to accept responsibility, even though the vehicle has had its regularly scheduled maintenance visits. $3000 for a rebuilt engine to repair damaged caused by an advertised "maintenance-free" part is ridiculous.
The timing chain on my 2001 saturn l200 snapped at 45,000 miles. I had to have my car towed, first to my mechanic and then to a saturn dealer. The timing chain damaged parts of my engine and it cost me $2200 to repair. There had been a tsb to upgrade the timing chain for this vehicle, but owners were not made aware of it. I was told that they will not use the old timing chain kit as replacements because of the upgrade. Saturn has refused any monetary help with this issue.
Dt: the timing chain broke for this vehicle. She has found other information that states that the timing chain is too light for this vehicle. Some of the information that she found was actually from some of the saturn technicians
Started vehicle and left gas station when the engine quit. The car would not start and did not give any diagnostic information on the dash display. Everything looked normal. After seeing a mechanic found out that the timing chain is broke and will cost me $3600 to replace according to the saturn dealer. After looking around on the internet this is a very big problem and is occuring very often. There is a technical service bulletin to the saturn dealers, according to a article I read, that states that there is a known problem with the oil sending unit that lubricates the timing chain. The oil sending unit does not supply enough oil to the timing chain causing the failure. Saturn needs to recall this engine so people like me with a daughter in college does not have to occur this kind of expense with a car that only has 52,000 miles on it.
Tie rod end- drivers side. Lso have problem with left brake light- replaced bulb and keeps going out ignition switch locked up now engine and coil pack blown-- engine oil pressure light never came on to alert of impending problem.
While driving at 65 MPH engine failed due to timing chain which caused the valves in the engine to bend. Had a local mechanic check engine and was told consumer needed a new engine.
Following routine maintenance by the dealer our saturn l300 experienced stuttering and hesitation. I immediately brought the car back to the dealership and expressed my concern for the timing belt. Under the dealership's care the timing belt failed and the engine siezed, causing $3,000 worth of damage and subsequent repairs. The timing belt was not due for recommended service for another 6,000 miles.
After making a left turn vehicle felt as if it was out of gas. Vehicle was towed to dealer for inspection, and it was later discovered that timing chain was defective.
The vehicle stalled while driving at 30 MPH. Then vehicle failed to restart when a jump was attempted. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that the engine collapsed due to a manufacturing defect.
Consumer stated that while driving vehicle cut off. It did not matter the speed. Consumerhad not taken the vehicle to a saturn dealer yet, but had a private mechanic look at it. The private mechanic told him it was the crank position sensor that was faulty.
After starting the vehicle engine blew out. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
I bought the car brand new and it was in the shop two weeks later. So far I've gone through 2 catalytic converters, 2 electronic control modules. I think only one coil, with a couple oxygen sensors to go along with that. Both of the cylinders have gone out on the clutch. I'm still waiting for saturn to call me on an air check valve that supposedly failed. As for the power locks, they just seem to lock or not to lock when they feel fit to do so. I also get a service light that comes on when it feels like it to.....
While driving at 65 MPH and without any warning, the vehicle stopped stalled there was no indication that anything was wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the consumer that the timing chain snapped and a new engine was needed. *ak *jb
Timing chain tensior failed, resulting in loud engine knocking sounds and difficulty turning steering wheel. Interior lights will dim when pressing brake pedal or turning on headlights. Charging system tests normal.
Each time dealer assured consumer that the engine problem was fixed, but vehicle was still leaking oil.
While driving vehicle operates roughly and eratically, losing power. Check engine and gas gauge lights illuminated the dash.
While driving vehicle operates roughly and eratically, losing power. Check engine and gas gage lights illuminated on the dash, blinking on and off. The speedometer and the RPM will fall to zero and come back up to where it should be while driving. Consumer states that there is a recall on the 4 cynlinder with the same problem.
Lower radiator gasket has been replaced 2 times and reinstalled 3 times. The enging coolant leakage happened 2 times within the first year of purchase. The light/turn indicator broke off where it attaches to the steering column while driving at night. Battery acid was leaking which was caused by the electrical system not working properly and overcharging the battery. And somehow the serpentine belt is now damaged. The dealership is having trouble with the starter not wanting to turn off and are going to replace it in hopes this cures the problem. Dt
While driving batery and engine check light appeared on dashboard. Vehicle shut off and pulled out on road. Dealer has been notified. *ak consumer was informed that the tires were worn prematurely, the left side brake bulb was replaced, the brakes needed to be replaced.
Driving down the highway between 60 and 65 miles per hour the engine just quit running. There where no warning lights, no unusual sounds, etc. Upon stoping the car I tried to restart it to no avail. Car towed into saturn dealer. It seems the cams froze which broke the timing chain which caused the valves to hit the pistorns... Thus new motor is needed. Dealer checked oil it was clean and found no problems. Car has been serviced on a regular basis. Cost to repair $5,000.00. Car is less than one year old. I have been on the phone with the dealer who has been talking to saturn. Saturn states the car is out of warranty and they are not responsible for anything. They did say they would offer to conribute 50% or 2,500 toward replacing the engine. I stated that they need to do better than that. I followed basic maintenance and drove the car in a prudent fashion - highway miles to and from the office from home. Car is at the dealer at this point. I am undecided on what I will do next. Thank you, [xxx] parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Possible check valve sticking on the brake booster vacuum line causing loss of power assist while applying the brake with the cruise control engaged. Nlm
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