99 sc2

[TruJack]

I purchased a sweet '99 SC2 in January with 65K miles on it. I've realized in the past six months about the oil issue and it has stayed steady with burning one qt every 3K miles (all highway as I make an 80 mile trek to work daily). Last 3K miles, I went through 3 extra qts of oil. It's not smoking at all and there are no leaks anywhere that can be seen.

I take it to my local mechanic (because I know nothing of mechanics) and he suggests some oil additive (like Lucas but not that brand) and to use a heavier weight oil. So, that's done and I'm running 15/40 currently. It's been 10 days and oil level is still full. Good deal!

Well, not really since I have more recently discovered this site and have read many things (most of which I don't understand totally) regarding the oil issue, additives, MMO soaks and now I'm lost just that quickly.

I need some not too technical advice that I can relay to my mechanic as to steps to take to identify and/or correct this the right way.

[Vulcansat]

I guess you and me thought the same thing, well at least your mechanic did any way.
The oil issue is the stuck rings. Im sure you have read. The thick oil is not a good thing. First thing with your low miles, im sure that is short trip drives, that have coked up the rings. Things will need to be cleaned to try and slow the oil loss process. What I did was do the MMO soak. Pull plugs when cold and make sure the threads are coated with ant-seize. Now put them back in. And run the car good till it gets hot. Now pull the plugs again, and pour 2 oz of MMO into each spark plug hole. Let set over night. Place a towel over them. Next day start the car while plugs are out to get most of the MMO out. dump the rest of the MMO in the gas tank, and top off with 8 oz added to the oil to help further clean things up. Now, buy some Pennzoil 5w-30 cheap cleaning oil and add 8 oz of MMO each time. repeat MMO soak after engine is hot. No need to check plugs as the anti-seize was just to make sure you didnt pull plugs on a hot motor and damage your threads. After another 500 miles or so, change oil again but use Pennzoil 5w30 Ultra Synthetic. Now change like normal.

[TruJack]

Dear Vulcansat -

Thank you very much for the information. I have consulted my mechanic and his only question was what brand or type of soak product do you use? I would rather he not guess if at all possible.

Thanks again. I look forward to hearing from you.

[jim147]

MMO=Marvel Mystery Oil. Walmart or about any parts store should carry it.

Seafoam is a little more expensive but a good choice to help clean things up.

jim

ETA: My wife would love me to find a 99 SC2 with 65,000 on it. We sold hers a couple years back with between 250,000 and 275,000 on it.

[alordofchaos]

The contents of the Saturn TSB on top end cleaning are listed in this thread
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...ghlight=saturn

These are very easy cars to work on, even for a non-mechanic. Go to youtube and look for videos by richpin06a; just about everything is covered in easy steps. He does not assume that you know anything about cars or where things are located... he will point out whre you are working.