Just bought a 92 SL2 for $300

[Cat Fuzz]

I used to have a 94 Saturn SL1 that I sold to my next door neighbors. That car now has 210,000 miles on it and it still runs great. Thats why I had no problem buying this 92 SL2 with 234,000 miles on it for only $300. It needs a right upper motor mount and possibly CV axles but thats easy stuff. The engine runs great but theres a terrible vibration from the broken motor mount. Probably the reason why the price was so cheap, they didn't know how easy it is to replace that mount.

The question I have for you Saturn experts has to do with replacing and then painting the side body panels. The rear door skin and the rear quarter skin are broken and are easily replaced but is there any special method to painting these plastic skins? Flex agent? Special primer?

Oh, yeah. Does the twin cam engine put out more power than the single cam? Does it get worse gas mileage? Are the short blocks the same?

[saturnspeed_12]

ok power, with that 94 sl1 you had a tbi, very sluggish worthless engine. the dohc has plenty more power, but also depends on how well it was upkept. it may need a major tune up to get it back to normal. gas mileage, well with my car i see at minimum 35mpg. ive recently had 39mpg and with alot of heavy throttle action. ive got a 97 with 158,000 miles, and so far ive found mine has like the best gas mileage out of all saturn owners i know. most guys see like 32mpg.

ok now as of the body panels. im not quite sure on the paint used. ive been told normal body paint works but i wont go by their say. all i can say is maybe some kind of polyurethane. go to a ppg store or something and ask if they know.

[Cat Fuzz]

Thanks for the response. I'm totally jazzed about this car. The motor mount will be so easy to fix and it runs great. It doesn't need CV joints, the clunking the guy was talking about is the busted motor mount. A little cleaning, a few trips to the wrecking yard and I'll have a sweet, economical ride!

I'll probably be back here often. I'm sure after the motor mount is fixed, the engine will need a bit of tweaking.

[peppermrj]

Check with the paint store for the flex agent you mentioned. They should sell the addititve. Good luck with your new project.

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by peppermrj

Check with the paint store for the flex agent you mentioned. They should sell the addititve. Good luck with your new project.

Thanks, I will have fun.

The car threw a SES light at me today. Its kind of bucks a little bit while cruising at city speeds. Anyone have any ideas what I should check out first? I havn't been on the freeway yet because I know the tires are out of balance.

[peppermrj]

Pull the codes and check back. If you need a how to to retrieve the codes just let us know.

[peppermrj]

3 very good links.
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...diag_info.html
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...dtc_chart.html
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...ttc_chart.html

[saturnspeed_12]

man i was going to say something probably would arise, but i didnt want to open my big mouth. but the bucking sounds like misfires. could be ects gone bad or it needs wires/plugs.

[Cat Fuzz]

I only get a code 15 which is low tempurature or something. (Can't remember what my book said). The engine does seem to run very cool, if that has anything to do with it. The spark plugs look ok, but not sure about the wires. The car seems to have been through some very dusty conditions. I tapped the air filter on the floor and got quite a bit of dust out. Couldn't find my air nozzle.

I'll check out those links.


EDIT: DTC 15 will set if:

* The ECT reads below -35ºC (-31ºF).
* The engine has been running longer than five minutes with a temperature
less than -35ºC (-31ºF).


Ok, so this sounds like ECT is bad, giving a constant low reading? It's not even below freezing here.

[saturnspeed_12]

yeah, that was one of my thoughts to the problem. might as well replace it. seems to be the problem.

[peppermrj]

The top 2 stickies have everything you ever wanted to know and more about ECTS replacement.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/for...aysprune=&f=26

Let us know how your project turns out.

[Cat Fuzz]

I changed the coolant temp sensor and on a whim picked up a set of premium spark plug wires. Its a good thing I did the wires, there was white powdery corrosion on the coil end of every wire. I cleaned the posts on the coil pack and installed the new wires and OMG IT RUNS GOOD! I only drove it for 10 minutes but I could sure notice a difference. I'll see if the SES light comes back on when I drive it to work tomorrow. So far I'm only into this car $490

[saturnspeed_12]

nice, good to hear.

[Cat Fuzz]

No SES today

There is still a little bit of that bucking while cruising at a steady speed. It's very slight and I wonder if I'm just being picky or my foot is twitchy. The car is very drivable as it is now. Now I just need to clean the interior and replace some body skins and I'll be set.

Thanks for the help!

Anyone know how to set the clock on the factory radio?

[peppermrj]

Might try some injector cleaner (chevron with techron and/or seafoam).
What kind of plugs are in it? Plain old ACdelcos are cheap and work fine. NGKs are OEM. Can be tuff to find. Sometimes the coil and Module mounts get corroded and need to be spiffied up.

Having fun now!