95 Saturn SL1 Intermittent issues on startup PLEASE HELP!

[skateaholic247]

Good morning guys,

First off, I have to say, I am fresh to these forums and honestly didn't think there would such a great resource for my old favorite daily driver.

I had a 95 saturn sl1 that was automatic, sold it, and missed it to death so when it was time for me to find another cheap daily I went ahead and bought another 95 saturn sl1 5spd with 141,000 miles.

It now has 147,000 miles and is running strong except for some weird issues I hope you guys can help me out with.

First and foremost, I have used the search tools and functions, however I want to post a new thread because I don't believe my problems have been experienced exactly.

Bought the car about 9 months ago and so far have done this:

-Changed oil every 3k (While monitoring level since it does burn a little bit so I've had to throw in maybe a quart and a half in between each oil change)

- Transmission Flush
- Coolant Flush
- Replaced Thermostat
- Replaced ECTS with brass tip
- Replaced idler control valve
- Repaired broken rear exhaust hanger
- Replaced Airbox and filter
- Replaced serpentine belt

I think that pretty much covers it.

This is my daily driver, I drive it to and from work everyday about 10 miles each way. Everything was working fine except one day the car was having trouble starting. I had to feather the gas pedal in order to get it going and afterwards the car started, but started a little rough and the rpm's were barely making it past 1k. I continued to give it a little gas because if I didn't the car would just stall out by itself in neutral. I took the car in for service last week and my mechanic said it was the idler control valve and replaced that, but that doesn't seem to have fixed the problem. My car will do this one or two times a day, but at other times it will fire up just fine as if nothing is wrong.

My question is do you guys have any idea what could be wrong? Also, when I have to start it this way, I notice that fluid leaks out of the exhaust, like there's a puddle in my driveway and honestly it smells like coolant/water/dirt mixture but it only happens when my car has trouble starting like this.

After these rough kind of starts, I can pull away and drive and after driving everything seems to be fine, but do you guys have any idea what could be causing these intermittent start issues?

Sorry for the lengthy post, but thanks in advance for your help. I'd rather consult the experts on here first before going back to my mechanic because I don't want him replacing stuff that's not going to fix the problem.

[spacemanspif]

I don't think the water is anything you need to worry about unless you are noticing losses of coolant. Is there any trend with the rough starting (rainy days, super cold days etc)? Does it run real rough while the RPM are "struggling to get over 1k"?

Kind of sounds like you need some fuel system cleaner, new filter maybe, and new plugs and wires. Might have a clogged injector or a fowled plug that clears up after a little bit of run time.

[skateaholic247]

Originally Posted by spacemanspif

I don't think the water is anything you need to worry about unless you are noticing losses of coolant. Is there any trend with the rough starting (rainy days, super cold days etc)? Does it run real rough while the RPM are "struggling to get over 1k"?

Kind of sounds like you need some fuel system cleaner, new filter maybe, and new plugs and wires. Might have a clogged injector or a fowled plug that clears up after a little bit of run time.

Thanks for the reply, the weather doesn't really matter honestly, yesterday it was 70 degrees and sunny, and the car did the same thing a couple times. Also, on rare occasions, I'll be driving about 50-55mph in 5th gear, and sometimes the car will stall out, I know it's about to do it because it feels like clutch is slipping and really "jerky" while accelerating. in 5th gear. The rpm's will drop, I'll lose all power, battery light etc. comes on, power steering goes out so I pull off to the side of the road. Take the key out of the ignition and try to start it again while feathering the gas and boom starts right up.

Also when this happens the SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on, but as soon as I turn the car off and back on it goes away.

I'm going to take the car back to my mechanic today, so you recommend that I replaced plugs and wires and possibly the fuel injector? Just want to point him in the right direction even though he's a certified mechanic since you guys are the true experts on this site.

[spacemanspif]

No don't replace the injectors, go to the parts store and put a bottle of "fuel system cleaner" in your gas tank. Plugs/wires and injector cleaner are just the way I'd trouble shoot if it were happening to me...but you left out the stalling while driving info. Stalling on the road sounds like a fuel pump issue. I had the relay die on my 95 that left me stranded. Too much traffic to hear that the fuel pump was not turning on with the key. Maybe you have a bad ground or weak signal or clogged filter? Mechanic should be able to troubleshoot supply voltage, relay function and all that. Fuel filter is cheap on these cars and should probably be done as preventative maintenance.

[skateaholic247]

Originally Posted by spacemanspif

Don't quote me on that, I'm far from an expert. Its just the way I'd trouble shoot if it were happening to me...but you left out the stalling while driving info. Stalling on the road sounds like a fuel pump issue. I had the relay die on my 95 that left me stranded. Too much traffic to hear that the fuel pump was not turning on with the key. Maybe you have a bad ground or weak signal or clogged filter? Don't pay a mechanic to change plugs and wires unless he's doing the labor for free. Its the simplest job to do other than filling the gas tank. All you need is a spark plug socket, extension and ratchet. But its your money...

He's a cool guy and labor is free he said if I still had the issue after what he replaced to bring it back and he'd check it out again free of charge, so I'm just trying to gather some more information from everyone on here that knows how these cars run.

[spacemanspif]

Lol I edited my post after reading your's better but you were too fast and already quoted me while I was editing.