1996 Saturn SL: engine overheating

5 of the 285 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2002
1
2000
4
1999
6
1998
1
1997
4
1996
5
1995
8
1994
4
1993
1
1992
3

What owners say

Filed Sep 5, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 96,910 miles · CA

Purchased the saturn sl1 in sept 24 of 2004 with 94,32 0miles. I had the oil changed that very same day. I 've kept up on all fluids and service religiousily. At 96910 miles the car would not go into 1st, 3rd or reverse without force. On 9/10/03 I had the clutch replaced and the slave cable. Then is when it started having problems overheating, mechanic did two diffrent diagnostic test both came back with no conclusions. The car still heats up everyday ,but I have no other car to drive. There is no power in the car now and the oil is sludge filled. I've purchased temperature sending units, both o2 sensors, thermostat, coolant,clutch,relays,etc...to try to solve the problem of the over heating. Pretty much it's a matter of time before I'm like the other 1996 saturn drivers who will have to pay the $ 1000.00-2000.00 to fix my head gasket that was a known factory defect. What can we do.

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Engine · 73,185 miles · MD

About three weeks ago the engine overheated. The engine oil and coolant mixed together because the head gasket was cracked. *ak *ts

Filed Jul 14, 2003 · Engine · MD

The engine oil and the antifreeze is mixing together in the vehicle. This causes the engine to overheat while driving. Had taken vehicle to dealership and was informed by the mechanic the engine cyclinder bead was cracked and needed to be repaired or replaced.

Filed Jan 15, 2001 · Engine · TX

Engine oil leaked into coolant system cause overheating after engine ran out of oil. Cracked cylinder head was the cause after talked to dealer. Also found there were quite a few complaints about exactly the same problem.

Filed Feb 19, 1999 · Engine · FL

The engine head has an internal crack in it which allows the engine oil to leak into the coolant. I realized this because there was oil in the coolant reservoir. I went to saturn of ft. Lauderdale, where I bought the car and was told that it is no longer under warranty(I have53,000miles). I was also told if I wanted them to fix it they would charge me $300 to diagnose the problem, and if it was a cracked head, it would cost me at least $1200. If I didn't like their diagnoses I would have 24 hours to have the car towed off their property , disassembled. This was told to me by denny mcgee (954)760-6340, service manager for saturn. I was also told that if I had not followed every service requirement that saturn describes in their hand book I would not be eligible for any compensation. At the most they might pay for parts and I would have to pay for labor. I am very angry! I am a teacher, and I could not afford to gamble that saturn "might pick up part of the price" mr. Mcgee said they may only pick up 10%. I took the car to my private mechanic who has told me that this is clearly a defect in the part. The car has never overheated and my mechanic said that the crack is between two chambers where the oil and coolant circulate through the engine. He obtained used replacement part and believe it or not this part also had a similar crack in the same place. Is there a recall for this engine part? I am very disillusioned with the saturn company. They were very unhelpful and rude in addressing the problem with my car and I want them to help pay for a defective part on the car that they sold me! Please get in touch with me if there is anything you can do. Thank you, sincerely, heather ryan.