No power, rough idle

Just get a new one -- it's only about five bucks, if that much. Hardly worth trying to clean out...

My guess is an ignition problem of some sort. Check the plugs; I'll bet they're not all firing. And *that* could be due to a bad plug, a bad plug wire, or a failed electronic ignition module.

Another thing to check: make sure the exhaust system isn't plugged. A stopped-up catalytic converter can cause similar symptoms.

Wow. That's kinda high. You buying that at the Saturn dealer? The going price at auto parts stores around here (Indianapolis) is about US$3.50-4.00, which is still under CDN$5. Have you tried WalMart or Canadian Tire?

Most auto parts stores can test the ignition module for you, too, and the test is usually free.

If the cat is only 3 years old, it's not likely to be causing trouble.

I was going by prices from web sites and forums, it was actually $5.94 plus tax from the dealer. That was cheaper than the other parts stores which were around $7-8 but none of them had one in stock, not sure why they bother to give you a price if they don't have one. As for free testing, we don't have Autozone here (I keep seeing people refer to them for free testing) and it is very hard to get anybody to do anything to a car for less than $40 (even to check codes). After I try the new plug wires I may see if the Saturn dealer will test it for me after I've spent $100+ on parts there. I replaced the PCV valve and hose. I put in new spark plugs (figured they were due anyway and inexpensive). The plugs helped a little by getting rid of the rough idle but it still has the miss and a little hesitation when I give it some gas. I guess next is plug wires ($70, I priced them while I was at the dealer).

Not sure what to do if the new wires d>>Thanks, after doing a little more searching I found there wasn't anybody

Seventy dollars??? Damn. I realize that's Canadian dollars, not US, but your dollar is a lot stronger against ours now than it was just a few years ago. Right now, CDN$70 is about US$62 -- and that's a *hell* of a high price for spark plug wires. Especially for a 4-cylinder engine.

For comparison, I just bought a set for my Suburban at a local auto parts store last weekend -- and that's a V-8 engine, twice as many wires -- for US$25 (= CDN$28 and change).

Roy it sounds to me you went way to long without servicing your ignition system! The rust is from your spark plug wires connector. You have no "distributor", what you are looking at is a coil pack. Two coils each with two coil "towers". This system is known as a waste spark system.

FYI a new set of wires doesnt mean a darn thing if you do not use an OHM meter to check the resistance of the wires. It seems no less than 50% of the wire sets I buy have at least one wire that is either out of spec or completely dead! A bad wire can make your car run like crap and WILL eventually kill your coils.

The resistance of the wires on a S-series Saturn should be no greater than 12,000 OHMS (12k ohms). If you tug or bend your wires you can damage them so if in doubt check the resistance again. Buy some Silicon Greese (if none comes with the wire set) and apply it to the insides of the spark plug boots. This will prevent future corrosion and keep the boots from sticking. Wires should always be replaced at the same time as plugs or sooner if they are in poor shape.

There are only 2 types of spark plugs I recommend. AC DELCO and Autolite both in "double platinum". Some say NGK but I have never ran across double platinum NGK's here. The double platinum plugs should last 80k miles. Non platinum plugs last 30k tops. (do NOT buy Bosch plugs at all) Also buy Anti Seize compound and apply a small dab to the spark plug threads and keep it away from the electrodes.

Other advice

------------- Clean your coil towers before attatching the new wires.

Before removing your old spark plugs make sure there is no debris that will fall into the combustion chamber.

If you find oil on your spark plug boots and in your spark plug wells (DOHC engine) you will need a new cam cover gasket set.

See if your old wires have nicks or chafing. You can use "wire looms" to help prevent the new plug wires from chafing in those same places.

The order of your engine from front to rear is

Inspect your old plugs

BTW you should always have your codes read! You can even buy yourself a basic code reader for around 50 US dollars at auto parts stores.

Brake clean. Only replace it with the OEM if you do.

The cat failure is a symptom of a greater problem. Was the problem ever corrected? Failure to keep the car tuned up is one way of taking out a cat. It could of also been an "Upsale".

It was only $6 for a new one so I replaced it. Had to be from Saturn as no one else in town sold them.

Cat was replaced under warranty so it wasn't an "upsale." Not sure why it failed but the dealer didn't seem too concerned and I'm sure they were looking as only the emission system was still under warranty.

The key point in Bla's advice (lots of good stuff, but didn't want this to get lost since it is very important) here is to clean the corrosion off the ignition tower. This is most likely what is causing your rough idle. Also make sure all grounds cables are clean and tight as well.

Good luck.

Bob

broken screw extractor?