2000 SL1 Idling problem

The car has a rough idle. It constantly misfires when warm.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 2000
• saturn
• sl1
• idle
• idling
• rough
• problem
• mis
• misfire

[wcu19460]

I remember a car salesman stating "I dont know what you've herd about Saturns". I said "What I HAVE HERD has not been good!:" Prime example. So glad we didnt buy that car.

[wiz2111]

@wcu19460 In defense of the car, it's cheap, gets good gas mileage, isn't the "ugliest" thing out there, and is reliable.

A few of my friends have Saturns, and mine's the only one that misfires. It's been doing the same thing for the two years I've owned it, and for the five years my cousin drove it. It still passes emissions test. In the two years I've owned it, the only problems I've had with it is this misfire, a leaky valve in the transmission ($40 replacement), and a wheel bearing.

[wiz2111]

I haven't gotten it fixed, but I've pinned it down. The compression rings on my pistons are worn down because the engine was starved of oil (the oil level was so low that it didn't even touch the dip stick), causing low compression. Not enough compression causes the fuel/air mixture to not ignite properly, so the engine misfires. The way I found out was I left the engine running and took off the oil filler cap. A puff of smoke shot out, and it was like there was a tail pipe inside of my engine.

[mik3mx09]

@wiz2111 That would be your oil rings not compression rings. My engine had two burnt valves, just bought a new one sunday..

[wiz2111]

@mik3mx09 I'm not sure. Compression is low all across the board, and the valves aren't burnt, or even leaking.

[pris72]

Hmmmm my 2000 LS1 is doing this as well, and it does throw the code PO300. What does this mean? Catalytic converter, O2 censor, spark plugs or something else? Suddenly the check engine light started flashing and it immediately started losing power and running rough. Car only did about 2mph up my driveway. Now it is just sitting, because I do not have the money to get it towed right now.

[wiz2111]

@pris72 Well, what you're describing to me sounds like a bad or extremely dirty or stuck open EGR valve. A guy on Youtube (richpin06a) has a video describing how to clean it if you want to do it yourself.

And if your temperature gauge hangs around the 1/4 mark when you're driving, then replace your coolant temperature sensor (they're factory defective) with a brass-tipped one. Also, change your thermostat with a 195ºF one.

[IH8UDIE]

that is the right operating temp for a saturn SL, anywhere past 1/4 to about halfway up.

[joelovesjoni]

i was watching the saturn video i have a 1995 saturn sc1 and it is a small hose from the break booster under the master cylender to the engine has neg pressure sucking air into the engine to help draw breakfluid to breaking system i know the post was old but if u still have the prob there is ur fix same line u run sea foam cleaner in.........and need a thermostat.... just bcause it works sometimes still means it is broke

[mik3mx09]

Did you ever get this fixed? im having the same problem?