1994 Saturn SL1 frozen crankshaft

FRANCOGRASSI

MEMBER
1994 SATURN SL1
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

I have a 94 saturn sl and long story short I didnt tighten the oil filter and lost all my oil drove for like 5 10 mins and the car died. It didnt have any loud bangs or booms or clanks nothing like that just died quietly and coasted to a stop. I thought it was the starter changed that it wasnt but it did need to be changed anyway. So I changed the spark plugs and still nothing. I took off the tire and removed the belt and the crankshaft bolt and now im stuck I dont know where to go from here I dont know much about cars and I am in need of serious help if anyone can help please give me some info on what to do from here. I only need the car to run for like two three days tops and it needs to b a cheap fix if possible. Oh and I need answers within the next 2 days.

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

You would need to drop the oil pan to see if you have a spun rod bearing or a main bearing.I would guess most likely you probably spun a rod bearing and it caused the crank to lock up. It's not a cheap fix you could have damaged the rod or crank as well.

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Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 1:22 AM

FRANCOGRASSI

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4 POSTS

Thanks for your reply
i will definitely try that tomorrow but like I said I dont know much about cars so if could send me a link or something with instructions on how to check the rod bearings and main bearing id really appreciate it thanks.

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Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 1:54 AM

SATURNTECH9

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To check the rod bearing's is easy you will know if there spun or damaged just take off the rod caps one at a time. As far as the main bearing's I would hold off on checking those you can only check one side of the bearing on the cap side unless you remove the crank. Let me know what you find.

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Monday, February 21st, 2011 AT 1:58 AM

FRANCOGRASSI