1996 Saturn SL: excessive oil consumption

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Engine · MI

I am losing a lot of oil. I spoke with my mechanic he stated that a lot of times it is the valve cover gasket, so he changed it. The car is still losing a lot of oil. About a quart every 400 miles. I started researching on my own and have found that several saturn owners are complaining about the same issue.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · NY

Cracked head cylinder - manufacuturer has "secret warranty" on this part for 1994-1996 saturns. Saturn wouldn't cover whole replacement because the "secret warranty expired in june 2002" on my car. Reason I believe they should pay for all of it: (1) known design defect with engine (2) my car was in the dealership garage for engine work during the secret warranty term and during my warranty coverage, for an oil consumption problem. Engine was rebuilt but head cylinder was never checked for known problem and I wasn't notified of the known problem. Now both warranties are expired so they wanted me to pay the whole bill. I refused but they only offered to cover half. I have put a complaint into the attorney general's office and the better business bureau.

Filed Feb 10, 2003 · Engine · 70,000 miles · TN

I purchased my saturn sl2 new in 1996. After 70,000 miles it started using an inordinate amount of oil. Oil consumption started to eclipse 1 qt. For every 500 miles. My oil change service said saturn engines were notorious for bad rings. I took to saturn dealership. They wanted several thousand dollars for a new engine. I replaced engine with a saturn engine with 23,000 miles. After another 40,000 miles the replacement engine exhibited the exact same behavior. I now need to purchase a third engine.

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Engine · CT

I bought my car in 1996 brand new from stamford saturn car dealer. During the first year, I experienced that my car is using one quart of oil per month. I reported to my car dealer that my car is using 1 quart of oil every month, they recommended that I bring the car to them for oil consumption study for six month. I did not bring my car to the dealer at that time. After six years, my car was using 3 quarts of oil within ten days. I called saturn representative and the local saturn car dealer for help. They recommended that I authorize the dealer to do tear down of the engine. I authorized the dealer to the tear down of the engine; after the tear down dealer recommended that, I either have the car repaired for $3000.00 or replace the engine for $4300.00. I decided to have the engine replaced with new engine. The saturn representative would not admit that my car has manufacturer defect, I explained to them this is not normal for a new car to use up 3 quarts of oil in ten days. In the beginning, the saturn representative agreed if the car had oil consumption or manufacturer defect they would help with the repair cost. However, after the repair they are not helping me with the repair cost. Please try to understand I have family wife and two year old son, my wife cannot work full time because she has to take care of our son. To pay $4300.00 is too much for me to handle, please help. I paid the dealer with my american express card.

Filed Mar 9, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

Engine cut off, engine surged,tachometer bouces,replaced valve guides at 60000 miles, compresion still not correct, ck engine light always comes on, burns oil, 2 qts more than specs say. Seat belt light stays on even when in use.

Filed Mar 8, 2001 · Engine · OH

While driving engine stalled without warning. There was no leak or evidence of burning oil.*ak the consumer found out that the vehicle stall because there was no oil in the engine. It was just 3000 miles since last oil change.