2000 SL1 Noise and Rough Idle

[rjitzsu]

Any ideas or anything common>>

I've got a 2000 Saturn SL1 with a rough idle... sputters... and a high pitched whistle noise coming from under the hood. The noise increases in volume with engine RPM. No check engine light...

Don't know these cars well... any ideas?

Thanks-

[PlayStation3]

how many miles are on the car?

[rjitzsu]

70,000

[PlayStation3]

does it sound like the timing is off? and have you done a tune up yet

[sierrap615]

a "whistle" noise to me is most likey a vaccum leak. to make sure we are talking about the same type of noise use another car with a quiet engine and disconnect a small or medium size vaccum line with the engine running(i like to use the vacuum line for the fuel pressure regulator if possible, avoid large lines as disconnecting them may cause a engine stall) the 2000+ SOHC are known for leaking intake manifold gaskets on the cylinder one runner at the head. spraying carb and choke cleaner near this area may be able to confirm this theory(if there is a leak, RPMs will drop and the noise will lessen for a moment)

[holdemjunkie]

Your right about the head gaskets on these things, they leak 99% of the time at the back of the engine by the firewall, also check the throtle body gasket for a leak, that will cause a load wistle noise. cheak all your spark plug wires for arking to ground (usually that causes the engine light to come on but still a good thing to check)

[holdemjunkie]

Originally Posted by holdemjunkie

Your right about the head gaskets on these things, they leak 99% of the time at the back of the engine by the firewall, also check the throtle body gasket for a leak, that will cause a load wistle noise. cheak all your spark plug wires for arking to ground (usually that causes the engine light to come on but still a good thing to check)

1 more thing I forgot to metion, it also could be your belt tensioner, usually louder on start up after sitting a while

[rjitzsu]

turned out to be a trans issue.
kind of sounds like gears meshings...
no fluid coming out of cooler exit line... means... clogged trans cooler or weak pump.
fluid is burnt... late and harsh engagement... and noise.

needs a trans and radiator.