Thank you, marx404
Just as I was going to unsubscribe from the newsgroup, somebody finally pulls
through.
Yes, the link helps a great deal. BTW seeing the bulletin scroll endlessly
while checking out my van makes me appreciate the short list devoted to that
particular year/model of Saturn.
I did take a look at the Saturn I had spoted at the dealer lot, and was
instantly turned off of it.
Car came from eastern Canada (I live in Manitoba) and was brutally rusty
underneath, even hinges under the hood were caked with rust. They (over)use
salt to condition roads in the winter in Ontario and Quebec, and salt is
rendered useless in our arctic fifty below deep freeze of Manitoba. We use sand
for traction.
I also talked to my mechanic (40 years of experience) who said to stay away
from DOHC (oil burner) but otherwise had no problems with 1.9 L. in S cars.
I maintain my cars, so there should not be any overheating problems, unless the
damage has already been done, which my mechanic will check for me.
Once again, thanks for the info and the link.
marx404 wrote:
> Darius, heres someone with the straight scoop. '01 saw some major changes to
> the SC. '02 was the final year of the S car. There were many minor issues in
> the '01 model (which not all cars have), not all the same problems exist in
> the '02 SC models.
>
> Below are all the recall/bulletins for the '01 SC1. SOHC engines have a
> known tendency for cracked heads and overheating when not properly taken
> care of and especially if allowed to overheat. We have 3 SOHC S-cars in the
> family and the only issues with one was our teenagers dogged on the car and
> failed to properly check fluids, thus overheating and blown gaskets (which
> would have lead to a cracked head); after repair, that car is on its second
> teenage driver and still running strong.
>
> SOHC engines are only 100hp but also have somewhat better pickup on the low
> power end than DOHC. And of course, the gas mileage is better. Here is a
> site with known bulletins and problems on the '01 SC1, the '02 models also
> shared some of these issues but many are not applicable.
>
> As I said, '01 was the 1st year of the "newly designed" SC models, '02 was
> the 2nd and final yr. I drive an '02 DOHC SC2 myself. Hope this info helps.
> http://www.alldata.com/TSB/53/015309FC.html
>
> marx404