George B's 2000 Saturn SL2. “The Turtle”

[George B]

OCD: "Schrader", not like the character in Peanuts.

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Fixed.

 

[Geotrash]

OCD: "Schrader", not like the character in Peanuts.

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Common issue. Happened on my 2007 XL also. New valve core and the problem has been solved for 3 years now.

 

[George B]

Did a little test on the saturn. I can make the AC compressor run but it’s noisy. There is little to no charge in the system tho. Is this normal or do I need a compressor too?

 

[George B]

I bought a '96 SL2 new and it was a great car. Watch the oil level until you know if it uses oil. That engine had a problem with the oil rings sticking and would consume oil. Some people had luck fixing the problem by doing a piston soak with Sea Foam or something similar. You should also watch for the "reverse slam" problem if you have the automatic transmission. There is a bolt in the transmission (I think it is in the valve body) that can work loose and cause the problem. There is plenty of information online about the problem.

I had a slam shifting to drive today. It was a cold start and back out the driveway about 50’. Shifted to drive and nothing…. Shifted back to neutral and then to drive again and bang! Drove and shifted fine for the rest of today. I have a filter for the trans. Going to give it fresh fluid soon.

 

[Fless]

Good thing it wasn't a "snap" or you'd have a snappin' turtle.

 

[George B]

Finally warm enough!

 

[George B]

How much Yall wanna bet the compressor is shot???

 

[George B]

Compressor is good. Got cold air now!

 

[89Suburban]

Compressor is good. Got cold air now!View attachment 369949View attachment 369950View attachment 369951

My man!!!

 

[George B]

I ended up putting both 12oz cans of refrigerant into the system which is what the sticker called for. The only challenge I had was that I should have relieved the high side hose across the gauge manifold to the low side before I disconnected. I lost some refrigerant there. Not sure how much and the ac blows cold. This is going to be a hot week so I guess I will see how well it works and go from there. Maybe I will have to add just a little more refrigerant.