1994 SL2 - engine died!

bloop · 09-16-2003, 05:34 AM

1994 Sl2, milage unknown due to the "odometer" thing. I bought it used of course. My first saturn.

Well, while driving (about 35mph) the engine just up and died. Had it towed to Firestone who ran a computer diagnostic and stated I had:
- severe internal damage -no compression from engine.
- possible broken cam and/or cracked head

They suggested that maybe I can tow it to saturn dealership and maybe they can do some repair with the head/valves or whatever BUT they couldn't help me.

But the guy at the counter (who rung me out) asked maybe it was the timing chain BUT the mechanic did checked my car was gone for the day.
So I couldn't ask him that.

My questions are:

- if it is internal damage BUT the chain is still intact would the engine still
turnover even badly?
- But if the chain had broken then the engine won't turn at all right?

- Outside of taken the engine apart - is there a way for me to check
for a broken cam or a cracked head.

I've done minor repairs but never done a timing chain replacement.

But not afraid to try the repair.

Thank you for any responses!

RiceRocket · 09-16-2003, 12:27 PM

Quote:

- if it is internal damage BUT the chain is still intact would the engine still
turnover even badly?

yes, unless the damage is so bad its obstructing one of the pistons.

Quote:

- But if the chain had broken then the engine won't turn at all right?

Not sure about that one.....I think it would turn but it wouldn't sound too good....

Quote:

- Outside of taken the engine apart - is there a way for me to check
for a broken cam or a cracked head.

Take the valve cover off, make sure to follow the right pattern for it. A broken cam should be pretty obvious, but a crack in the head could be really really small. Think when the valve cover comes off you can also see the timing chain.[/quote]

bloop · 09-16-2003, 09:55 PM

I will give your suggestions a try!

onefast94sc2 · 09-19-2003, 03:44 AM

you probably bent the intake valves in the head
my timing chain skipped last year and i bent all the intake valves.

it sounded like a sewing machine when cranked

bloop · 09-21-2003, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onefast94sc2

you probably bent the intake valves in the head
my timing chain skipped last year and i bent all the intake valves.

it sounded like a sewing machine when cranked

By gosh you're right, I just tried it and it made this whirring sound.

wolfman · 09-21-2003, 03:57 AM

If the chain actually BROKE, the cams will freewheel (turn by themselves) until they settle into a "safe" position where the valve springs/lifters tend to hold them. This DOES NOT mean you do not have any bent valves (you most likely do) piston damage is much rarer, head damage is likely, but you won't know how bad till its off. In any event you will need to pull the head to see whats up. As the engine is damaged already, get a Haynes or Chilton manual and have at it, you won't make anything any worse and a better look of what happened will help us to help you decide what to do.

Joeybagodonuts · 09-24-2003, 04:03 PM

drop me an email, we have clean twin cam engines with a eyar warranty ranging from 550.00 to 1250.00 (1250.00 gets you a near new 9k 2001) all can swap, we set them up for you with proper brackets, intakes etc so its no diffrent then putting any other year in.

SC2_GT · 09-24-2003, 04:17 PM

If your 94 is equiped with a vacume style EGR, swapping to a late model twin will require making a plate for the EGR valve. If I can I will get you a drawing or a plate made for this. Also, the late model twins only have 1 coolant temp sensor where as your has 2. I have a fix for this also, if you don't want to drill and tap a hole in the head or straight wire the fan. These are the only to issues that will come from swapping to a late model twin.

bloop · 09-25-2003, 10:11 PM

Thank you SC2_GT & Joeybag.

The engine swap is "plan B".

This is going to be a one-man operation and I never tried something like this before but since I got another Car to use I can take my time with this.

"Plan A" is me considering rebuiding the engine(top part) but I haven't yes opened it up yet. So I don't know how bad the damage is yet.

Ist time at something like. If I screwed really bad then there's always "plan b".

Joeybagodonuts · 09-26-2003, 02:57 PM

i wouldnt even consider just a top end build on a 94, the rings and bearings are going to have plenty of wear and loose tolerances.....
resort to plan b, lol