Me Again - 1996 SC2

[bbroph10]

Alright, since the last time I talked to you guys (Sierra you were a great help by the way!) I was complaining about oil loss...that problem has subsided...but now the oil light stays on...I checked it out in my Haynes manual, it says the engine berrings might be a problem...Any clue on a cost for such a job? All the other symptoms that come with berring issues are being shown by my car, and worst of all, in the past two days a HORRIBLE helicopter-like whirring sound is coming from my engine in EVERY gear, it subsides in neutral (when the engine isn't doing any work, really) but other than that it's horrific, UGH! Just thinking about it is blood-curdling! Anyways, any ideas or thoughts again would be great, you guys are some informed dudes and I wanna say thanks again!
-Brandon-

[sierrap615]

oil light stays on? that alone is enough reason to get the car TOWED to the dealership. i won't start the car if the oil light doesn't go out, but it sounds like you already have, so ... the damage is already done. but if you do drive it, don't go to far, and only go to the dealership. check the oil level before the next time you start it. and with the engine running check to see if the crankpulley is 'walking' (it will wobble in and out). that is the only way to check for bad bearings without droping the crankshaft, and only indicates if the thrust bearing is bad, there are four more for the crankshaft and one more per each pistion. my father just had his bearings replaced(mid-90s honda accord 4 cyl.) to the tune of $900 +/- IIRC, he had simular symptoms (walking crank, noise). since it sound like your engine was runned low on oil the bearing could very very easilly have been damaged, and hopefully nothing else is( the camshafts and valve train are commonly affected by lack of oil the most) also, maunal transmission saturns tend to destroy the thrust bearing faster then autos.

BTW, what was the check engine light for?