Saturns Burn Oil ? Really?

In the case of lots of oil being used, it's bad rings (even on a new engine) that lets the oil get into the combustion chamber.

There is pressure inside the valve cover, not vacuum. Get a new hose and PCV valve, and if you want, there's a little filter you can get to bypass the other rubber hose the goes from the vent to intake plumbing - that's what I use.

I'm still using a generic mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine - it's borrowed from my Mom who bought it at least 20 years ago. I change the oil every other year or so and rarely add oil. Maybe Briggs & Stratton should make engines for GM's Saturn?!?! (wink)

A number of people have reported good results from a combustion chamber soak with something like GM Top Engine Cleaner - it seems a lot of the oil consumption is due to the rings getting stuck with deposits and not controlling the oil properly.

The problem is inferior Hastings piston rings used at the factory.

Someone mentioned that their manual even said that they ate oil... But I've yet to hear where it is written and can't find it in my 1995 SL1's manual. :)

Anyhow... They seem to eat it under all circumstances and a piston ring change is cost prohibitive... Anyone have comparisons between city and highway oil useage/burnage?

Regards, Joe - VROC #8013 - '86 VN750 - joe @ yunx .com - 973.571.1456 24/7

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A lot of people on the saturnfans.com forums have had success reducing oil consumption with an MMO soak.

The idea is to free up sludged oil control piston rings by letting a little MMO sit in the combustion chamber overnight to dissolve the gunk.

Can't hurt to try.

Details at

Ah, I didn't see your response before I posted mine.

Yes, GM Top Engine Cleaner should work well too, tho I hear from those in the know that MMO is preferred. Supposedly it eats through the gunk on the rings a little better.

When I went through the official oil consumption test through the dealer they said 1 quart in 2000 miles was normal - I was closer to 2 quarts if I remember correctly. re: 1997 SL2

And I'm still using very little oil since the rebuild, however some spirited, high rpm driving will make the oil level drop - I think that's typical with most engines. You run them hard and some oil has got to get past the rings. My engine is getting a little old now and so my spirited driving is pretty infrequent - my normal driving is still probably a little more intense than some...

When does this oil consumption thing start on a Saturn car? I have a 97 Sc2 with over

40k miles and it doesn`t burn a drop between oil changes. After the so called break in period I have driven it very hard everyday. Dan.

Mine started after 90K miles. I add 8 oz. MMO to oil at 250 miles before an oil change. (as per Wolfman at Saturnfans)

Let's keep in mind...oil burning (slight) is preferred to blow-by!

b_d

Well I just did the Marvel mystery oil.. 3 ounces in all cylinders and let it sit for 16.5 hours..

I'll post back on the results to see if the oil burning stoped. BTW I went through about 1 quart every 300-400 miles on a 91 Saturn SL2 1.9L DOHC roughly 122,000 miles on it.

Well after a nice drive to clean everything out I stomped on the gas and sure enough still the smoke... so it seesm It didnt work for me.

Mine started in the 30k range and was rebuilt at 44k. I'd say you've avoided the problem - keep doing what you're doing...