It's more likely that the clogged radiator caused the overheating that caused the cracked head. I spent 11 years in the automotive radiator business and my experience is that although, pound for pound, aluminum has the best cooling you can get over copper/brass, it's subject to special type of corrosion which is very difficult to remove with the normal methods (rodding out). (We used to clean the insides of motorcycle radiators with Lime-Away and hot water (soaking for 3+ hours) but on a regular sized radiator that's a lot of Lime-Away and the radiator's too old for it anyway.) If you went 99,500 miles without having your radiator cleaned you only have yourself to blame.
The stuff costs what it costs, man.
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Originally Posted by bobch24
I too have had the same problem, and it is getting fixed now. I am trying to find some way of geting some financial restitution from Saturn. My car is a '99 SL with 99,500 miles...all highway, and I have done the regular maintenance at the dealer (so they have all the records). I just made the last payment last September. I have had the car 4.5 years, and now this is breaking my wallet. Replacing the cylinder head is going to cost $2500. They just called me to tell me after they replaced the head, they found out my radiator is clogged (probably as a result)!!! more $$$...gotta replace the radiator. Their doing me such a big favor by reducing the price on the radiator, which is the least expensive of my concerns. B4 I knew about the radiator I was debating taking the repair cost and using it towards a downpayment for a new car. Which, BTW, would definately NOT BE A SATURN!!! The older models had many engin problems, including cracked cylinder heads and Saturn extended an engine warranty on SL models through 1997, with 1.9L single overhead cam. That's the same engine I have, but unfortunately that warranty does not apply to us.
If I don't succeed in getting financial assistance, I hope that at least my post hear will contribute to a buildup of complaints that may help out other Saturn owners.
.....  .... I should've bought the Honda!!! |