92 Saturn few questions about

deaz · #1 01-25-2006, 07:54 AM

Hello, I just recently bought a 92 Saturn S-Series, and noticed a few problems with it...

The main problem has been fixed... The engine wasn't warming up to temperature correctly and was actually sitting below 1/4 mark. But I replaced the therm, so now it "eventually" gets up to temp...

What is the general temp gauge reading for these cars... between 1/4 and 1/2, sitting closer to 1/2? Because now that I've changed the coolant and therm, it sits close to 1/2.

Now, heres the next question, there seems to be a whole lot of moisture in the exhaust. To the point of seeing it everywhere when the car is first started up, and still seeing it coming out of the exhaust as I'm driving down the road. I had figured that this problem was originally due to the engine not being hot enough to completely clear out the engine of all the water and such in the cylinders, but aparently thats not true...

However, when I changed the spark plugs originally, they were pretty "ash"-y... I believe they were the originals with the car, but not sure...
Anyway, could the excessive exhuast, and also a slight fuel smell, be caused by excessive carbon buildup in the cylinders due to an incorrect engine operating temp, or by something else, or is it something completely normal?

Anyway, thanks for any help you can offer.

saturnspeed_12 · #2 01-27-2006, 08:29 PM

ok first, the gauge should be between 1/4 and 1/2 mark. once it gets warm out dont be surprised to see it sore just below the redline near the 3/4 mark, thats the 220 degree range which is where the fan kicks in.

ok now for the moisture, its normal for any car. if your getting a bit of a gas smell, then you might want to think about a new coolant temperature sensor. now with your car you will have 2 sensors that look identical, one is the coolant sensor for the pcm and the other is for your gauge. i never remember which is which. the "ash" is carbon from too much fuel normally caused by the cts, which if been run like that for a while will carbon up the piston rings making it consume oil pretty good. i would suggest a piston soak with sea foam or marvel mystery oil. to do this you add one of the 2 down the cylinder and fill it to where it completely soaks the piston. dont over do it or then you get the fun of cranking the engine over to shoot the rest out. you should let it sit like that for at a minimum of 12 hours. check up on it though to make sure the soaking agent doesnt drain down.

i would definitely suggest the coolant sensor and the piston soak after hearing about those plugs. also always check your oil in it, saturns like to burn it mainly do to the piston rings carboning up because of the rich condition.

deaz · #3 01-27-2006, 09:06 PM

Yeah, well, thats where it normally runs at right about now, when the car is moving anyway, lol. When it sits, it does head up a bit, but I just figured that was normal. There is a bit of a fuel smell coming from the exhaust too, But the moisture problem is a continuing problem, as in it doesn't go away even after the car has been running for a while... However, I tried to blow out a whole lot of stuff out of the engine yesterday, maybe it'll be a bit better tonight when I head off to work. I know which cts you're talking about, its the one behind the t-stat towards the rear of the engine compartment I believe... I'll try the piston soak sunday morning after I get off of work and let you all know how it goes...

Also, doesn't the carbon buildup actually hold in some heat too?

saturnspeed_12 · #4 01-28-2006, 10:37 AM

yes carbon can cause hot spots. the coolant sensor is located on the driver side of the head below egr valve. its a tiny little sensor. you should see 2 of the like same ones, one right above the other.

but the water is just moisture built up in the exhaust from the cold. mine shoots moisture out too, but normally cant see it since i have a larger tip and free flowing muffler. but when you see that thin white cloud out of the back of your car that disipates, thats mainly moisture there. but still i wouldnt doubt that possibly some of that moisture could be fuel.

supramike420 · #5 01-29-2006, 09:08 PM

Yesterday, I was in a parking lot with the car running for about 15 minutes, and it got to almost 3/4, and then I drove down the road about 100 yards and lookedback down and it was at about 1/4. Is that because the fan kicked on and cooled it off that much or what?

supramike420 · #6 01-29-2006, 09:08 PM

Yesterday, I was in a parking lot with the car running for about 15 minutes, and it got to almost 3/4, and then I drove down the road about 100 yards and lookedback down and it was at about 1/4. Is that because the fan kicked on and cooled it off that much or what?

deaz · #7 01-29-2006, 10:38 PM

Either that, or is was because of the fact you stepped on the gas, and it the cold water that was sitting in the radiator started moving cause the water pump kicked into high gear.

Cat Fuzz · #8 01-29-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supramike420

Yesterday, I was in a parking lot with the car running for about 15 minutes, and it got to almost 3/4, and then I drove down the road about 100 yards and lookedback down and it was at about 1/4. Is that because the fan kicked on and cooled it off that much or what?

This is normal for Saturns. I had a 94 SL1 that would almost hit the redline on the temp gauge while sitting then the fan would kick on. I've asked other Sturn owners and they have the same thing happen. Also, the natural airflow from the car moving also cools the engine.

saturnspeed_12 · #9 01-30-2006, 05:40 PM

yeah the fan kicks on right about the 3/4 mark. thats the 220 degree range. normal range for like all cars, gauge wise not likely but temperature wise yes. now it shouldnt really be down at a 1/4, it should be inbetween the 1/4-1/2 mark.

also the reason why it cools down so quick is one, its cold, two, its a 4 cylinder, and 3 its an all aluminum engine. thats also why it takes so long to warm up. the aluminum dissipates the heat.

silverado122775 · #10 02-20-2006, 11:04 AM

I have a 94 Saturn SL. and what you guys are saying about the therm is right on!
Mine was sitting at almost cold.. barley above the first mark. when it idled for a while.. it would shoot up to about 3/4 mark.. then the fan wouuld kick in and cool it down. I replaced the Therm and now it site at about 1/4-1/2 mark even idle.

Now I know why it takes my car so long to heat up (aluminum engine) makes sense. Thanks

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