I'm stumped!! (ignition/oil issues?)

[nephilim]

Hey guys, I've got a 96 SL2 that's having ignition issues... the details are as follows:

The starter switch went out on my saturn 2 weeks ago. Ordered the part and installed a few days ago. During the removal of the old one, I lost one of the two screws that hold the bugger in there (problem?). started the engine, and it had a rough time of it, but got it started... and the oil pressure light came on. I then added a quart of oil *without* checking my dipstick. So I let it run for a while, and then get in to take it for a spin, and I make it three blocks to a stop sign. stop. go. punch the gas (highest rpm at 2nd gear 3500). car dies. no noise, just dies. (later on i will realize that my oil is 3/4 quart overfull). Now when I try and start the car, I have a clicking sound (not quite like the starters out, but like it's trying to turn and it's stuck)... and occasionally, the engine will turn a full rotation or so, and then stop. I have drained the excess oil, and it's still the same. The car is a 5 speed, so I attempted several pushstarts, and every time, it sounds like it wants to go, but won't.

SO... here's my questions:

Is it possible at 3500rpm's to snap the crankshaft with overfilled oil in my car?

*OR*

Is my starter switch possibly being affected by that missing screw (it seems like it's tight in there!!).

Sorry if these are ridiculous questions, but I can't find the right size screw, and I really don't want to tear apart the engine!! TIA

[Cat Fuzz]

Sounds like you may have spun a rod or main bearing. If the oil pressure light was on and you weren't 3 quarts low, your oil pump probably stopped working.

Pull the spark plugs, raise the vehicle and place securely on jack stands and remove the right front tire and splash shield. Put a socket and long handle ratchet on the lower crank bolt and try to turn the engine over by hand. If you get massive resistance at some point, spun bearing.

[nephilim]

Ok... assuming that you're right, and a rod or main bearing is spun, does anyone know how to go about replacing that... and I'm assuming a new oil pump would be needed too?? I'm going to try to find a screw for that blasted starter switch... and I'm also asumming that there isn't much of a chance of the problem being the crankshaft?? I still find it hard to believe that a bearing could have spun when I only overfilled it by about 3/8" on the dipstick (app. 3/4 quart) at 3500rpm...

[Cat Fuzz]

It's not due to being overfilled, it's due to no oil pressure. Usually a spun bearing involves a new engine or engine rebuild.