1995 Saturn SL w/ a few small problems.

CGK9COP

MEMBER
1995 SATURN

I have a 1995 Saturn sl1 1.9 with 130,000 mile on it. The car is a champ for a commuter. I get about 340 to 370 a tank.I am a stickler for maintenance on all of my vehicles. I bought this car for $1500 4 months ago. I have changed the oil regularly along with the trans. I added a new serpentine belt with plugs and wires.
Now I have a few questions.

1) The temp sensor goes to almost red line and then the fan kicks in and cools it. Whats going on here?

2) The car goes through oil, however, there is no smoke and no leaks anywhere on the engine or on the ground. I add a about a 1/2quart every 1500 miles Whats going on here?

3) Sticky accelerator pedal with an occasional dieseling sound when pulling out from a stop. Whats going on here?

Any guidence would be great!

Thank you for your time

John

2 Replies

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

Hey John,

The 95s have two sensor 1 is for the input (controls the cooling fan, air /fuel ratio, idle speed, and more)to the computer the other is for the gauge. Either one could be bad. The ECTS (computer one) was known to crack at its plastic tip. The new ones from saturn are all brass.

Oil consumption is common on the 1.9 ltr engine till about the 2002 model. Sticky rings. There is a tsb (will send it to you if you like) on dealing with it but your consumption is not bad enough to worry about. Just check the oil on a regular basis. Also not using a oem pcv valve can cause excess oil consumption.

Lube up the gas pedal linkage and the throttle cablle.
Some simple things to check.
Does the throttle plate close completely?
If not check the gas pedal for anything keeping it from returning all the way
Check the throttle cable for binding.
Check throttle bore/plate for excessive carbon/sludge deposits.

Chances are with the mileage on your satty it is in need of a good cleaning. You can use a srpay throttle body cleaner or actually remove it and use the same cleaner and an old toothbrush. Clean the Idle air control valve and port if you take it off. Good time to clean the EGR valve too.

Try some fuel injector cleaner ( I like chevron with techron) for the dieseling sound first. If that does not help we can try some other things.

Good luck and let us know. :)
peppermrj