Saturn Broke timing chain

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Please bear with me as lot of this post is second hand knowledge. My cousin just had his timing chain let go while going down the highway. The car is a Saturn sedan 2001-2003. The mechanic is telling him it could be up to a few thousand to repair.

I was just wondering if anyone could shed some light on the belt vs chain and interference vs. noninterference designs in this specific application. I can't provide too many more details, as this isn't the central reason why everyone was getting together. I am getting the story second hand through my Dad.

From the sounds of it, the car only has 120-150,000 miles on it.
 
There was a recall or a TSB, can't remember which, for the timing chains on early 2000s Ecotec engines. If the recall fix was never performed on this car, GM may fix it for free.
 
Need more information. year, model and engine would help.
If its an interference engine then sure the repair cost could be quite high.
 
Dump a used motor into it. Head work etc would get crazy expensive labor wise.

The older s-series 1.9s were made until 2002; the ecotecs appeared in the midsize L series in 2000.
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Dump a used motor into it. Head work etc would get crazy expensive labor wise.

The older s-series 1.9s were made until 2002; the ecotecs appeared in the midsize L series in 2000.



Yep, a used engine shouldn't be too expensive.
 
http://www.ncconsumer.org/Saturn%20L%20S...r%20Nozzle.html

Info - Timing Chain Design Change and Revised Service Procedures #03-06-01-017 - (Jun 9, 2003)

Service Information -- Timing Chain Design Change and Revised Service
Procedures

2000-2003 Saturn L-Series with 2.2L Engine (VIN F -- RPO L61)

2002-2003 Saturn VUE with 2.2L Engine (VIN D -- RPO L61)

2003 Saturn ION Vehicles

General Manager, Fixed Operations Manager, Technician

Purpose

The purpose of this bulletin is to communicate updated service procedures to the timing chain and timing chain oiling nozzle due to design changes that have been made to both components. All timing chain kits now available in service will include the oiler nozzle. This new nozzle has higher flow rate characteristics that will increase oil flow to the timing chain under low RPM operating conditions. Whenever replacing a timing chain, it is important to replace the oiler nozzle.

Prior edition Service Manuals for the above listed vehicles refer to the timing chain index links being colored "silver" and "copper." With the implementation of the newer design chain and oiler assembly, the index link colors have changed. In order to avoid confusion, the service procedure text has been modified to refer to the index links as two common colored and one unique colored link. Please use the procedure in this bulletin to replace all previously issued Service Manuals.




Yeah, a used engine '04+, is likely the cheapest and easiest way to go on this one.
 
I remember back when I bought my first car I went to a Saturn dealer and got the full on hard sell about how much better a timing chain was compared to a belt.
 
There's a very good chance the pistons were at least touched if not downright smacked by one or more valves at the time of the failure. I went through this on a 2000 Ecotec-equipped Saturn that was given to me for near zero dollars as a way to get a low-cost car for a friend who needed some basic transportation and was a way for me to learn more about engine rebuilding.

It's not that hard to R & R the head, but if you do, be sure to check for the latest torque specs. The 2000 service manual I had was not updated and I doubled my cost in new torque to yield head bolts. And, yes, in my case, the pistons did have to be replaced. The hardest part of the project was rounding up all of the replacement parts.

The prior advice about finding a replacement engine with the later fixes is probably the way to, assuming you can get the engine computer bits to align.
good luck,
Kevin
 
Originally Posted By: y_p_w
I remember back when I bought my first car I went to a Saturn dealer and got the full on hard sell about how much better a timing chain was compared to a belt.


It is unless you don't design it very well. Gm skimped on the ecotec timing chain for the first few yrs. and it resulted it a lot of angry customers. My a series all have timing chains and I've never had an ounce of issue with it. It's just in the design.
 
I had thought that some s-series also experience stretch as the mileage racks up that could eventually lead to the chain jumping? Seem to remember hearing oil burning clogs something which ultimately can lead to the issue. When I first read the OPs post that is what I thought of.
 
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
I had thought that some s-series also experience stretch as the mileage racks up that could eventually lead to the chain jumping? Seem to remember hearing oil burning clogs something which ultimately can lead to the issue. When I first read the OPs post that is what I thought of.

They had all sorts of issues from what I recall. The biggest was the ring design and serious issues with oil burning. Another was inadequate oiling of the chain on some models.

I remember almost an unwavering devotion to Saturn based on the marketing that almost felt like Amsoil converts. I remember owners talking about how safe they felt these things were and how they were almost devoted to the composite door panels. My experience with earlier GM composite door panels was that they were expensive to repair compared to steel and some body shops wouldn't touch them. They also had fit and finish issues with huge manufacturing variations. What I remember about the early models was how loud they were because they pared down weight by using little sound insulation. Then they upped that without changing the engine and performance suffered.
 
Originally Posted By: y_p_w
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
I had thought that some s-series also experience stretch as the mileage racks up that could eventually lead to the chain jumping? Seem to remember hearing oil burning clogs something which ultimately can lead to the issue. When I first read the OPs post that is what I thought of.

They had all sorts of issues from what I recall. The biggest was the ring design and serious issues with oil burning. Another was inadequate oiling of the chain on some models.

I remember almost an unwavering devotion to Saturn based on the marketing that almost felt like Amsoil converts. I remember owners talking about how safe they felt these things were and how they were almost devoted to the composite door panels. My experience with earlier GM composite door panels was that they were expensive to repair compared to steel and some body shops wouldn't touch them. They also had fit and finish issues with huge manufacturing variations. What I remember about the early models was how loud they were because they pared down weight by using little sound insulation. Then they upped that without changing the engine and performance suffered.


the s series did have an oil burning issue but not a timing chain issue. the hydraulic tensioner is sensitive. meaning if you don't do regular oil changes you may have issues. mind you a lot more cars today are very picky as well. my 02 sl has 123,000 no timing chain issues, my old sl2 had 217,000 the timing chain was still very tight. that Saturn did burn oil when I bought it about 1qt too every 1,000 miles, bought it with 180,000 at 217,000 when I sold it the it burned 1qt to about 2000-2300 miles. doing oil changes on time with good oil helped that car tremendously. my sl doesn't use a drop.
also it is quieter inside than a cavalier, neon or escort. my Honda civic is also a hair noisier than my Saturn. saturns were a good car for the money. they had their flaws but most of their issues were lack of maintenance. they aren't the kind of car that you can abuse. Saturns like most cars had one huge problem and it was its owners. my saturns have always been good to me, because I am good to them.
 
also the panels are great imo they aren't any more expensive than any other car and are easier to work with. lets see you remove the rear quarter panel of your car with a socket and ratchet.
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted By: y_p_w
Originally Posted By: 99Saturn
I had thought that some s-series also experience stretch as the mileage racks up that could eventually lead to the chain jumping? Seem to remember hearing oil burning clogs something which ultimately can lead to the issue. When I first read the OPs post that is what I thought of.

They had all sorts of issues from what I recall. The biggest was the ring design and serious issues with oil burning. Another was inadequate oiling of the chain on some models.

I remember almost an unwavering devotion to Saturn based on the marketing that almost felt like Amsoil converts. I remember owners talking about how safe they felt these things were and how they were almost devoted to the composite door panels.


The marketing was a home run out of the park! Lots of average joes (and janes) bought one Saturn.

Then they burned oil and seized motors, because the buyers weren't "car people", and GM sat on the problem for a dozen years, with a slight piston ring design improvement nine years in.

It's another story of "what could have been", or, "for lack of a nail..."

Sadly the IONs were rubbish cars with (evolving) decent-to-great ecotec motors.
 
This wasn't the reason my 2003 Saturn ION engine failed at ~96,000 miles, instead it was a failed piston ring at cylinder 3.

I used synthetic oil the whole time I owned the the car. that makes me think that the hydraulic tensioner couldn't even handle a tiny bit bit of varnish before it because unable to properly lube the chain.
 
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