Should I fix it or get rid of it??????

Ok, I have a 1995 Saturn SL2 5 speed, the problem is I believe my piston rings are shot. It burns oil BAD (when I can get it started). The major problem is I just towed it 3000 miles and now it won't start. I was having the starting problem before I moved, it would compression start VERY easily. Not anymore. The body is in great condition. I love this car. I am thinking about replacing the engine. But what I would like to know is how hard is it to replace the piston rings? Or should I replace the engine, or should I just get rid of it. I would really like to keep it if it is worth fixing. I had a compression test done on it and on cyl. 1,3,4 they had about 175lbs of compression. On the 2 cyl it only had like maybe 20lbs of compression. I would go thru about a quart of oil every 3 or 4 days. About every 100 to 200 miles. When I pull the spark plugs out they are caked with oil. If I cleaned them off, and the hole they go into, it would sometimes start for me.

What should I do?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I am in the Oklahoma City area. Just moved here from Washington State.

Thank you,
Desperate in Oklahoma.

well lets start with a story ... i first got my saturn when i was 16 which was 3 years ago mine had almost the same problem yours has now and instead of taking it to a mechanic i just kept driving the car even with the smoke rolling behind me and when i finally did take it he said that I would be better off just replacing the engine instead of fixing it due to the fact that labor and parts would be so much that i would be better off in doing that.

ok here's the deal 175 is REALLY LOW to start wiith. mine runs 220 for 1 and 2... 3 and 4 run 180's and my mechanic says its really low. replacing the rings would require replacing the pistons as well due to wear and such. although SPSwebpage.com sells the replacement rings. the labor isnt worth it as far as i'm concerned. but if you replace the engine is just a straight drop in. i would keep it. i love my 95 SL2. its for sale but i would love to own another one someday. its well worth the swap.

I had a compression test done on it and on cyl. 1,3,4 they had about 175lbs of compression. On the 2 cyl it only had like maybe 20lbs of compression.

175 isn't bad if you do it dry with the typical 4 or 5 strokes instead of saturn's recommended 10 strokes. the important part is they are even. number 2 is a different story. do a cylinder leak down test to confirm the lower end is at fault. stupid question, the trans wasn't in gear while you were towing was it?

Thank you for all the replies. I really do want to keep the car I just wanted to know if it was really worth it. I wasn't planning on taking it to a mechanic, I was going to do it myself (with a little help). And on the cylinder test, on cyl 2 & 3 (I think) when the spark plug was removed it was FULL of oil and the pressure DOESN'T go up at all.
And the car was in neutral when I towed it, and the parking brake was off. Not a stupid question, a logical one.
Once again, thank you for your help,
Tracy

I was going to do it myself (with a little help).

you really won't know how bad it is until you rip the engine apart, the leak down test will help to guess how bad it is. if you do plan to undertake this yourself, i can give you detailed instructions. what is your skill level? do you have the proper tools for a rebuild?

and by any chance, did you graduate from Downers Grove South High School?

[QUOTE=sierrap615]you really won't know how bad it is until you rip the engine apart

I have a 93 saturn SL 5 speed with 220 K miles on it. Suddenly It does not want to go faster than 30 mph. A local mechanic tells me it needs a new engine or valves. Could this be rings? can you share the detailed instructions for tearing the engine down for the ring job? I figure I'll try it myself since there's nothing to loose at this point.

I have a 93 saturn SL 5 speed with 220 K miles on it. Suddenly It does not want to go faster than 30 mph. A local mechanic tells me it needs a new engine or valves. Could this be rings? can you share the detailed instructions for tearing the engine down for the ring job? I figure I'll try it myself since there's nothing to loose at this point.

i don't think i would jump into a rebuild that fast, can you go into more detail about the problem?

i don't think i would jump into a rebuild that fast, can you go into more detail about the problem?


I'm not sure what details are relevent but here goes. It was bucking badly about 4 months ago (I thought it was the clutch, which is original) but I decided to do the easy stuff first. I changed the plugs and wires and it ran like new. On the way to work one morning, I drove through town (approx. 5 mi. ) and it felt a little funny but OK. When I started to accellerate off the hghway ramp, the car did not want to go. I got off and drove it to a local mechanic. I do not see smoke from the tailpipe so I did not think it could be rings. My guess is if it was a fuel pump, it would stop altogether. The transmission is a 5 spd manual. It has been quite cold lately so I suppose it could be a fuel line restriction or maybe a fuel filter? Are there some simple things that I could do to help diagnose the problem?

One more odd thing that may or may not be related. I was getting some condesation on the inside of the windows for a could days before the trouble.

buy compression and fuel pressure testers, pull the plugs and inspect, if you buy a hanyes manual (under $20 at many local part stores) it has a nice colored section of spark plug conditions. also if those are platium spark plugs, get rid of them, they are trash. any dash lights?

also, have you ever replaced the ECT?

have you ever replaced the ECT?

No, I haven't replaced the ECT. I'll get a compression test kit and let you know the result. I moved it today from the mechanics lot to home and initially it would not rev. higher than 2000 RPM. It started very rough but idled OK by the time I got home. It would go to 3000 RPM (out of gear) when I got home. No stalling or backfiring but also no power.

also, remove the O2 sensor and see if anything changes, if it does, look into a new cat. converter