Auto repair is not my strong point, but here goes.
The vehicle in in question is a 99 Saturn SL, 4-cyl, 1.9liter, manual transmission with just over 42k miles.
I have followed the recommended maintenance, all performmed at he dealership, in Jan-99 and never had any major mecahnical problems. The vehicle currently has 42k miles. Two days ago the 'low coolant' light started to flash and the temperature guage was about one tick from the red area. I pulled over and waited ten minutes to drive again and when I did the engine was running hot but not to the level before pulling over. When checking the coolant level it was in fact very low and quite 'milky'. I added the proper water/coolant mix to raise the level and attempted to drive again. This time the same sequence of events occurred.
At this point I took the car to the Saturn dealer. The first service tech looked at the coolant level and affirmed the 'milky' substance. He immediately checked the oil dipstick to compare and it, the dipstick, did in fact have the same substance on it. His immediate reaction was one of two things: A) a blown head gasket or B) a cracked cylinder head or engine block. (On this last one is where my inexperience comes in because I'm not exactly sure of what he said.) Either one of these, he said, would coolant to leak into the oil and vice-versa. I'm a little puzzled on the cracked head as I reside in Las vegas, NV.
At this point the tech pulled out what looked like a flip chart from the manufacturer to explain that Saturn SL's, model years 91-97, have had similar problems.
Now I am looking for assistance on two issues. First, does the tech's 'diagnosis' sound correct. Second, if this is in fact the case, and the car is out of warranty, what course(s) of action are available to me? I have checked in with the various sites offering TSB info and have found nothing.
Lastly, as I stated earlier cars are not my specialty, but this does not sound like something that is a regular occurence for a vehicle that has followed the manufacturer's recommended maintenance and NOT been driven more than 1000 miles per month, in 4 years. Any help, guidance, or suggestions would greatly apprecited. Thank you.