Any help for a Saturn???

[Russ300H]

I just bought a '95 Saturn (123k miles)to flat tow behind my camper. One of the reasons i bought it was a stack of oil change receipts from a Valvoline Quick Change. It also just passed Massachusetts emissions without any issues.

After driving the car for a short time, I realized it was using a considerable amount of oil. With a fresh oil change, I find the usage to be more than 500 miles/qt. Even with a 4 qt. capacity, I find myself going through my stash at an alarming rate. I was thinking an auto RX treatment, but feel I need to slow the consumption down enough for the RX to work it magic. Any ideas before i forget to tighten the bolts down on the towbar?

 

[Mokanic]

New piston rings seem to be the only cure to eliminate all consumption.

 

[gregmp]

switch to a thicker dino oil. My wires 97 SC2 would use oil 1qt/1000mile on the highway, but less in city use, 115,000 on the clock. Seems like a ring issue.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

I agree with Mokanic, but that costs lotsa $$$.

I suggest three (yes, 3) Auto-Rx treatments as per the bottle's directions, in a row using a thicker oil.

*If* those help substantially, I strongly suggest Lube Control to keep those rings clean.

If you decide to tear down the engine, use Lube Control for the remainder of the engine's life.

 

[MrCritical]

Unless you do the work yourself, the price of a ring job on a 12/13 year old Saturn with 125k will approach the value of the car. And that's assuming the transmission and other major components are in better shape than the engine.

 

[LargeCarManX2]

I don't think there is any help for these little engines. They just use oil period. I have tried many different types of oils, grades, and it just uses oil. What I would do is put a Amsoil Eao full flow filter on it, and just put your quart of oil in it every 500 miles never changing the oil. And when you reach 25K...R&R the oil filter. Use any oil you can find that is on sale and buy a case.

Heck if you buy two cases they would make good seats around the campfire

 

[Steve S]

How does the motor run? how does the rest of the car work?how many miles do you put on the car ?

 

[Virtuoso]

Many times these little engines will purr happily along for many many miles as long as you just keep topping the oil off. Unfortunatly, our '96 SL1 consumes a quart every 500 miles too. So I do (pretty much) what LargeCarMan has said: I put on a good filter (Napa Gold), and change the oil and filter every 12-15,000 miles or so; topping off as we go (I drive a lot, dosen't take long to reach that milage). SuperTech is the oil of choice since I can't seem to find any good .99/quart sales that many seem to get.

I've tried a Berryman's piston soak to no avail. At this point I'm just going to drive the car into the ground. Tough little thing though. DO make sure you're using an OEM PCV valve though; others have shown to help increase oil consumption; FWIW YMMV.

 

[Nickdfresh]

Yup', it's a Saturn...

Put 15w40 in it (in warmer months). The engines love it!

 

[westwind999]

I'm currently doing the auto-rx thing on my Saturn. I think it's a good plan, it's way cheaper than new rings. 10W30 probably reduces consumption some compared to 5W30.

I wouldn't not change the oil though. In fact it might be better to change it a little more often as it probably get crudded up from the bad rings. I wait till it's down a qt and then change it as it's only 3 extra qt's.

 

[Russ300H]

Thanks guys! I guess I found a home for my .99/gal Delo 30 wt from the AZ deal last year! Another BOGO deal on AA oil filters and I'll have it made.

 

[kgb007stb]

Welcome to the club, I am going to be experimenting with some 5w-40 oils, many in the past have commented that these cars love these oils. Yup, most likely those rings.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

I wouldn't hesitate to use any of the popular high mileage 10w-40 oils in a Saturn, post Auto-Rx treatment of course.

 

[MONKEYMAN]

My 99 SL2 is at 1 quart per 1,000. Running Rottella-T 5w-40 just to see if would clean the rings. Seems to be using less, but have not had a highway trip for a while. That seems to be the oil consumption problem area (high speed driving). I have done three Auto-RX treatments, and have used Lube Control in between plus Fuel Power for about 3 years. Car runs like a champ, but have lost hope in reducing oil consumption. Some people have luck with piston soaks, some don't. This website will tell you all the things people have tried:

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/

Luke just went over 500,000 in his 95 SL2, and he was using close to 1 quart per 200 miles. So the oil burning does not necessarily effect longevity. I snagged some SuperTech High mileage 10w30. Not much more expensive then regular SuperTech. I am leaning towards oils that are on the high end of the 30 weight scale, or even 40 weight when hot. Next oil change in Rotella 10w30.

You may also want to check your Cam Cover. Mine is leaking slightly and will be replacing it soon, but sometimes they leak a lot.

 

[theedge67]

My fiancee's '01 SC1 burns through at least a quart per 1K. Engine runs great. I just put some QS Syn in it that I picked up free after rebate. Seems like the engine idles smoother and just all around better. Still using oil though.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Lots of Saturn owners have noticed less consumption when using Maxlife 10w30/40. After the ARX go with the Maxlife...er, well, maybe when you get done with the Delo, of course.

 

[The Critic]

I have a 96 Saturn SL2 with 104,700 miles as a daily driver. I run whatever 5W30 that's on sale and keep it changed every 5k or so.

Mine consumes the most oil during highway driving at 70 mph. If you do around town and low speed highway driving (
I only consumed about 1/2 qt after 3000 miles on Chevron 5W30, with about 1000 miles of that containing Auto-RX.

 

[Merkava_4]

You never mentioned the viscosity you're now for the 1qt/500 miles regimen, but I'm assuming it's 5w30. The general rule has always been that an increase in viscosity follows an increase in consumption. I'm thinking a high mileage 10W-40 would definitely be the sink stopper you've been wishing for.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Whatever HM 10w40 is on sale...I like Maxlife...Napa sells Napa High Mileage oil in my neck of the woods...Maxlife in a different bottle?????

 

[Pablo]

I have heard many times that AutoRx is the cure for Saturns. Usually to the tune of stuck rings. After a vigorous cleaning, flushing and repeating. I would run a stable syn 10W-40, or possibly a syn 10w30... as much as some folks chuck rocks at synthetics, they do help keep the rings cleaner, longer. If the rings are mechanically shot (I doubt it) then yeah synthetic is a waste.