96 SC2 won't start

1996 SC2 - black cam cover (as opposed to the aluminum version)
I had noticed that I had some oil seeping and possibly squirting out the edges of the cam cover.. I was sure the cam cover gasket was failing and knew I had to replace it but never got around to it.. (low on cash student)

Anyway, the other day I go to start my car and she starts up, sputters and then dies within a second.
I opened the hood and pulled the cover off the first spark plug and was very surprised to see it well coated with oil. I checked the other plugs but they are all dry.
I removed the plug, it also had oil across the threads. I dried everything up as well as I possibly could there and put it back together.. car still won't start. I changed all the plugs.. car still won't start. After that attempt I took the new plug out again and gave it a sniff.. smells of gasoline pretty bad.. possibly a flooded engine. It was turning over well at first but I think the battery is going on me. It's been charging for an hour now.

I bought a new gasket and will be replacing it myself in the next couple days. If anyone has any ideas what is going on or any tips on changing the gasket.. let me know please.. Do you think I should use sealant on this rubber flexible gasket? Anything would help me out here.

I wouldnt recommend using sealant on a rubber gasket. Maybe your fuel pump is bad, or fuel filter is clogged. Spray some starting fluid in your intake tube while someone cranks the engine over, if it starts for a few seconds and shuts off when you start spraying, then it is a fuel related problem. I would recommend buying a haynes manual for diagnosing or replacing anything on the car. They tell you EVERYTHING about 91-99 Saturns. Also, alot of Saturns have oil on the plugs due to bad valve cover gaskets, or valve guide seals, but the motor should still burn the oil right up, you can also pull the fuse on the fuel injection and crank the motor to un-flood the motor (assuming it is flooded)
I hope i helped, Tony

CORRECTION
*if it starts for a few seconds and shuts off when you STOP spraying*

sorry, my mistake

the same thing happened to me i will tell you what it is i bet it is your coil packs mine did the same thing it had about a quart of gas in the oil and my coil packs wasn't firing right because when the oil got in my spark plug it shorted out the coil pack in other words get all new plugs and two coil packs and the problom is solved it will fire right up


go to xtreamsaturn.com

if it is flooded hold the throttle to the floor and crank- don't overheat the starter. or check to see if you are getting a spark at the plugs, wires, coil, it may be the coil pack as noted in other replies.