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2002 Saturn SL2 Repair Question


Topics covered: Engine, Spark, Spark plugs.
Mileage: 180,000 miles.

Asked on June 16, 2012

Car surges/bogs at high speeds (40-70 mph) in 4th/5th gear

Manual-5 speed
4 liter twin cam motor
SES light blinks while it bogs
Problem is intermittent
No trouble codes, SES light goes away
Problem occurs at wide open throttle
Avatar Asked by aaronmcd

Answer

Replied on June 16, 2012

Excuse me, its 1.9 liter I believe (not sure where 4 came from...)

Tiny Response from aaronmcd
4 questions asked
Replied on June 16, 2012

If the check engine light is flashing then there will be codes.If the light is flashing that means there is a missfire bad enough to damage the cat.So who scanned it for codes?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,163 answers provided
Replied on June 16, 2012

I did. There was only one trouble code (small leak-evap, gas cap is being replaced)
I understand on GM cars it blinks while misfiring, however it isn't storing any codes, and the SES light is off during most of the car's operation.

Tiny Response from aaronmcd
4 questions asked

Replied on June 16, 2012

If it flashes then there is for sure a major missfire its crazy it didnt set a could for it.The first thing i would check is the plugs and wires how are those?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,163 answers provided
Replied on June 16, 2012

I was confused why there wasn't a code as well...I used a computer with a usb cable, and it said there was only one current code and one pending (the evap one)

Bear with me, it's not my car haha
It has a recently rebuilt engine (at least the cylinder head by the looks of it)
A mechanic did it, so I assume the plugs are new, the wires look brand new

Tiny Response from aaronmcd
4 questions asked
Replied on June 16, 2012

I need to know what kind of plugs it has in it?Also does the ac work?If it does work turn it on and see if the cutting out gets worse?what is the exact code number you have in the computer not code description?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,163 answers provided

Replied on June 16, 2012

P0442 is the code
The A/C works, however at idle with it on, it will make the idle get low, almost stalling (no SES light or misfire)
I will check if the A/C on makes the missing worse later (when I get to the car)
The primary driver thought that perhaps it got worse after the car had been running for a while (I'm not sure if I believe that though...)

Good idea about the A/C! I hadn't thought about that

I am not sure what you meant about the plugs? Like what brand? I would have no idea...it's only 4 spark plugs...would it be worth it to just replace them?

Tiny Response from aaronmcd
4 questions asked
Replied on June 17, 2012

I need to know if there is platnuim spark plugs in the engine they carbon foul in those engines causing missfires dead holes etc.

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,163 answers provided
Replied on June 21, 2012

The plugs had no carbon foul, their gap was wrong though
I replaced them with AC delco copper electrodes, I gapped them to .040 in

The issue is still present, though the idle smoothed out

Tiny Response from aaronmcd
4 questions asked
Replied on June 21, 2012

What kind of wires do you have?Iam talking about brand wise?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,163 answers provided