20 Most Recent 1997 Saturn SC - Page 2 Questions & Answers

disconnect and reconnect the battery

I had the same thing happen to me and it was a nightmare - but one that I fixed. The thermostat rarely causes a leak - it usually just opens and closes to circulate the coolant. There could be a number of things that cause the problem - mine was the radiator. Each end of your radiator is plastic and over time they will get brittle and crack - somewhere, mine cracked just under one of the lines going into the right side. The way I found it was simply raised the hood, started the car and let it run until the fan came on - I saw a very tiny ("Squirt) and presto the problem. I ordered a new radiator on line, an aluminum one - promised to be an exact fit and it was, cost me $82.00 with FREE shipping. Problem solved. I have also had to replace my water pump on this same car so look there for a leak after the fan comes on as well. As difficult as it is to get to the thermostat - in hindsight you probably should have gone ahead and replaced the water pump anyway - $23.99 at Auto zone.

I have a 1997 SOHC (Single Overhead Cam) SL-1 and it is not difficult at all to remove the Valve Cover. There are 2 small "Star" indentations in the top of large round discs - these are actually screws. Although the screws SHOULD screw out using a star driver - that hardly ever works. Over a period of time the screws "set" pretty solid and are hard to get off - you end up striping out the star head. I removed mine just a few days ago to replace the gasket and what I did was got a pair of PIPE vice grips (The jaws are round instead of flat) you have to carefully lock them onto each of the round disc screws so that the jaws are exactly left and right - the handles of the pliers should be pointing right in the middle of your chest as you're standing in front of the car. With the pliers locked, very carefully wiggle them back and forth - RIGHT then left - very slowly and the screws will start to move, when they do then you should be able to screw them out with your fingers or at that point use the star driver. The reply that mentioned the 10 bolts, and the spark plugs in the middle refer to a DOHC (Dual overhead Cam) Since you inquired about a SOHC there should only be the 2 large round "Disc" looking bolts - one to the left and one to the right. Make sure you get ALL of the old gasket off of the head and cover so the new one will "Seat" good.

yes it needs to be in to do it. disconnect your battery and take the cover off your column then turn the key and push in the pin which is located on the ignition with a pick or small philips screwdriver. if this means nothing to you? you need a mechanic. good luck!

no motor must reach set temp if it dont turn on then replace fan control switch hope this helps

You would need to figure out if you are missing spark to the plugs or fuel pressure when it fails to start. It could be something electrical like a relay or the coil.

Timing mark on the cam sprocket is on the web between two of the holes. The timing mark on the crank sprocket is a small dot on the tip of one tooth. If you cannot find it make sure the sprocket isn't on backwards. These points will line up with the tabs on the tensioner AND be straight across from each other. Make SURE the tensioner is compressed while you are installing the chain. You push in on the spring and put a pin/nail through the hole to hold it in place.

Get a shop to look at this leak please, you are going to have a fire. You don't drive a car around with a gas leak, that is very foolish and not very safe to say the least.

give me email address so can send diagram

It typicaly is in a twist out socket if you reach under and behind bumper @ back of plate area . There is typicaly 2 bulbs -one on each side of the plate.

check fuel pump

fueltimingignitiontake it to a shop

You have a lot of sludge build up . There is a product in most auto parts stores that you add to tour engine oil. You run the engine for a short period of time. Drain the oil and replace with fresh oil and filter. Depending on the amount of sludge you may have to do this several times. A Good thing to do is remove your Valve cover, If it is covered in a thick or even brittle black goo it means that the oil has not been changed every 3,000 miles as recommended by ALL manufacturers. And you may have bigger problems down rge road. Don't forget to replace valve cover gasket.

Some check light on dahsboard or "theft" system there?

if there is oil in the coolant reser the head is cracked if not does the fan run with the a/c on if not the fan motor could be bad if it shows that its over heating on the gauge look at the coolant sensor its on the back of the head over the trans with a black wire and a yelllow wire look at the connector for green contacts the sensors crack and dump coolant into the connector replace both the sensor and the connector