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#1
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These problems normal for a 5-year-old Saturn?
In article >,
Echoes > wrote: > Hello. Would you consider the problems listed below normal for a > 5-year-old 1999 SL2 Saturn? Shouldn't be. > - Major(?) problems include getting the water pump replaced twice. > They are saying I had to get it replaced against because I was over my > 60K service by 8,000 miles. DexCool(tm)! Regardless of what GM says, that orange crap is NOT good for 100,000 miles. Oh sure, on paper it is - makes the EPA happy - but in real life? No way. I'm taking a stab here and guessing that you didn't maintain your cooling system - NOT your fault - you read the manual which was vague on it. > - Problem with alternator after 1 year of ownership Saturns are reall hit/miss with this. It's weird, too, because some people go forever, other go through them like candy. I don't know why. > - Brakes, exhaust system after 5 years of ownership. Brakes failing, or wearing out. If the latter, they are a 'wear item'. The exhaust? If it rusted out while still under the EPA warrenty, you should NOT have had to pay for it. And check - some states have a longer than standard one (NY and Mass and Cali, among others). > - Power window going out *shrug* > Question: Why am I seeing all of these problems after 5 years of > ownership when my 1993 SL2 had 6 years with not as many problems? Was > one of the mechanics correct in that she said that the 1993 Saturns > were built better? Maybe. Might be luck. I think the DexCrap in the cooling system is probbably what's killing water pmps, though. > Is this really par for the course, and I should just consider myself > lucky with my 1993 Saturn? My '93's been fine. > Here is my Maintenance history (I have also gotten the standard oil > change every 3000-5000 miles): Well, with those changes, the motor should last forever > --- 08/26/99 -- purchased car, about 1K miles already on it (one of > the sales people had been driving it for personal use) Uh oh. When I see 'personal use', I immediately think burnouts, hole shots, racing everything in sight..... > --- 1/23/03, 42269 miles, had water pump replaced as Saturn said it > was leaking. Note: This was done at non-Saturn repair place (Clinton's > Auto Service in Seattle, WA, have had good comments and praise about > them) What was the replacement? Gen-u-ine Saturn, reputable OEM, Taiwanese special? The first two are good, the last is iffy at best. But still, water pump at 42k miles - something's not right. > --- 7/20/04, 60K service -- 68039 miles, and also had brakes fixed -- > $668 One heck of a fix - what happened? > --- early month of August, had exhaust system and water pump replaced, > $650 Ugh. |
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#2
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> Maybe. Might be luck. I think the DexCrap in the cooling system is > probbably what's killing water pumps, though. > After 7 years and 150k miles on my fathers truck with the same dexcool coolant from the factory I dont think so. What you never heard of waterpumps going out repeatedly prior to Dexcool? I guess waterpumps never failed prior to dexcool... When we pulled the pump off it looked like it was cast just yesterday. No rust, no pitting, no scale. The seal just desided to give out. |
#3
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In article >,
Echoes > wrote: > I think it was just wearing out. According to the invoice, they > replaced front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors. That there costs > $226, with $158 being labor. Ahh. Yeah , brakes do wear out BTW, I wouldn't bother getting rotors turned, they're generally cheaper to just replace. > The invoice here said something about a resonator mid-pipe and > leakage. How long is an EPA warranty? All I remember them saying is I > should get it fixed, as the leakage could spill carbon monoxide in the > car. Check your manual. I'm pretty sure yours was up by then, but depending on your state, it might not have. BTW, the EPA warrenty covers any emissions related part / system, regardless of it being a safety hazzard or not. > I guess I'm kinda disappointed; I had such a good experience with my > first Saturn, it kind of bums me with the repair experiences with my > second one. Well, two water pumps is kinda bad, the power window? I dunno. The exhaust is weird too. But the brakes? That's wear and tear. Better to replace your brakes than your car! |
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#5
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#6
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#7
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"Philip Nasadowski" > wrote in message ... <snip> > Check your manual. I'm pretty sure yours was up by then, but > depending > on your state, it might not have. BTW, the EPA warrenty covers any > emissions related part / system, regardless of it being a safety > hazzard > or not. <snip> Be very careful here, the Ross-Magnusson Act does not cover the "Intake" only the exhaust. In my manual it was pages 25-27 for the 1999 SL1. However when confronted with the logic both at the dealership and that no use customer support line and 2 managers they said that the intake manifold was not covered and not part of the exhaust system. In my case I told them to fix the problem (An intake leak) and I would pay the invoice and then sue the hell out of them to get the money back. That caused quite a stir all around and they called back and said as a courtesy they would eat the cost of the repair if I would pay the $9 for the gasket. Seemed like a good deal and it had been fixed. The law in New York mirrors California but it had to be a car purchased in 2004 (After January) when the law took affect. That emissions control law only affect 5 years up to that new car year purchase. The 2003 on down have a 5 years of coverage and not 8. Elector |
#8
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In article >,
"Elector" > wrote: > Saturn of Albany did not want to fight the > issue so they gave the "courtesy repair". I'm sure if you reminded them the EPA likes to investigate this stuff, they'd have been even more cooperative... > You had to be on the phone > with Saturn's Customer Service when they argued it was not under the > federal act, and was under their own warranty terms. I wish I taped > it. Yeah, sounds like fun (not!). The trick is to get past the first and 2nd level phone answerers and get to someone real... |
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