2001 Saturn L300 from North America - Comments

I have a 2001 L300 V6. In December 2006 on my way home from work at 2am I noticed the overheating light on and before I could get off the road I heard a poping sound under the hood followed by a sound of running water. I towed it to the Saturn dealer and they informed me of a blown head gasket, oil cooler, oil cooler rings, etc. The total cost was $2100.00. After about 3 weeks the car starts to make a terrible noise and the service engine wrench light comes on. I take it back and the timing and drive belt both are cracking and the tensioner and pulleys need to be replaced. Total cost $1200.00. When I pick it up yesterday is sounded great. Could not even hear it running when cranked. On the way home I stopped at a red light and when I accelerated it shifted hard and the service light with the wrench came on?? I've already spent $3300.00 in 2 months on this car, what could possibly be wrong now? After I got home and started the car again the light was off. It will come on occasionally when accelerating and jerking a little. Is there any way to be heard or get the word out about these cars They have way too many issues. I have also experienced the uneven tire wear many have mentioned about this car.

I will never buy or encourage anyone to buy a Saturn.

It's well known that if you have coolant leak onto your timing belt (usually from a leaking oil cooler seal or head gasket), the coolant will degrade the timing belt material. The techs ABSOLUTELY should have replaced the belt, tensioner, and water pump following a blown head gasket.

Wow, I had the exact same problem. My 2001 L300 V6 decided to overheat on a very pleasant sunny Southern California December day...70 degrees :) After finding lots of oil in the coolant I was told it was a blown head gasket and replaced it myself. I replaced the timing and drive belts while I was at it, along with some of the hoses. Ran great (even after an electrical engineer put it back together) for a couple months, until I found most of the engine's oil had been sucked into the coolant again. Suspecting that I had done a poor job on the head gasket I set out to do it again, only to find out it had been the oil cooler to start with. I pressurized the oil cooler and submerged it in soapy water and I had bubbles all over. A replacement oil cooler runs $571 from the dealer and I am having trouble finding a replacement for any less. Re-surfaced heads, valve job, new timing and drive belts, all new coolant hoses and reservoir. By the time I'm done I'll have a new engine! I'm having the same funky tire wear as well. Otherwise, car ran great until two months ago. Probably will for a few more years...hopefully...