SL2 engine overheat/ AC cuts out/ uses oil

[elagirlarch]

I have a 1997 SL2 w/ 57,000 miles on it (that isn't a type on the mileage) that has run great! The only thing I've had to have done so far were new shift cables last year. It has always used about a quart of oil between oil changes but in the past 6 months or so has gone to guzzling about 2 extra quarts of oil between changes and it seems to be burning the oil that is there. It isn't leaking, there is no oil under the car where I park.

The past two weeks, the AC stops cooling sometimes for no good reason.

Yesterday, I was stopped in traffic on the interstate because of a bad wreck and it was about 10 miles of stop and go in 1st gear and I suddenly noticed the engine temp gauge was getting close to the red zone. I turned the heater on and put the windows down and it stopped rising.

Once traffic got moving again, the temp dropped. (I'm assuming the air flow cooled it?)

I read something on a forum about if the engine starts to get too hot, the car will shut the cooling on the AC off to prevent damage.

Any ideas? My super great mechanic is on vacation until next week or he'd have it right now. My brother in law says it may be a fan has died or it may be a cracked head gasket (??? something like that he said).

The AC today only worked first thing this morning when I first turned the car on, but has been uncooperative all day. Not fun in mid mississippi.

This has been such a great car and I really hope this isn't anything horribly serious or expensive.

[sierrap615]

there are many things that could be wrong, with no other information, i *guessing* you may have a high side restriction or faulty TXV. can't really tell without testing the system pressures myself. i suggest you wait until you mechanic could back or find another EPA 609 certitied mechanic.

check your PCV valve(its in the valve cover it just pulls out. first, it should say AC DELCO on it, don't trust any other brand. next, shake it, it should rattle some, but not excessively. if ether test fails, replace it will one from a saturn dealership(only place to get the proper AC Delco valve) this is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent oil burning(i would bet at least 1/3 of all saturns burning oil have the wrong PCV valve installed)

[AUTOUSA]

I think you got to replace valve O-ring gaskets.If you are burning that much oil it could be rings too.

[Gus615]

I have a 96 SL2 that has used Oil since 14k miles. It now is at 182K and still runs,rattles a bit,but still runs. My mechanic is stunned....
It was overheating not long ago and we had to replace the fan, apparently it has a plastic gear drive system that was completely worn.

Hope that info helps. It is running fine again.

[AUTOUSA]

I like them,they are good cars.

[gls02]

A friend of mine is having the same trouble with his 98 SL2. It just started consuming oil at the rate of 2 qts every 4-5 thousand miles. His Saturn has been serviced by Saturn since new and this problem came up all of the sudden.

Have any thoughts? I believe that it won't be long until the engine dies from the lack of oil now and then. Great car until now.

[AUTOUSA]

Car will never die if he makes sure there is enough oil every time he puts gas into it.

[gls02]

I guess that I will tell him just to keep a couple of cases of oil in the trunk and check it every couple of days.

You are right, great car...I guess if you want to haul around the Exxon tanker for your engine problems.

[AUTOUSA]

You never know,maybe he would be happier if tow truck hauls him and the car for change.That would be even better with very good gas mileage.