ecotec idle

S

Swats

Forum Member
My sister has a 2001 Saturn SL1. She is bring the car over tomorrow for me to look at it. First issue is that is might have an exhaust leak. The second issue is that the car does not idle very smoothly. She did not mention if the service engine light was on or not. I was wondering if there are some thing in particular I should look for on this car. Thanks.
 
try cleaning the throttle body and check for vacuum leaks. i had a saturn at work with a idle problem/running rough. had a code for the coil, replaced that and cleaned the throttle body.....ran great
 
really depends on what "type" of rough idle it has. If its miss firing, your going to need to scan it and start looking at ignition components first. Like tnum01 said, checking for vac leaks and cleaning the throttle plate and housing is not a bad idea as well.
 
I got to take the car for a drive today and have a look at it. The car's idle is steady but a little rough vibration. The gradually smooths out at higher rpm. No service engine light. The exhaust appears to be solid. Not being able to get the car up into the air kind of makes it difficult to get a good look at all of it. The strap that holds the muffler up was broke, allowing the exhaust to drop down onto a cross member that runs underneath it at the back of the car. I could not get a new strap for the muffler today. For right now I used to steel wire to tie the exhaust up so it is not resting on the cross member. That seemed to help the vibration some. I have not driven a four cylinder car in a long time, I am not sure how much vibration is normal. My sister does not normally drive the car, her husband drives it. The car has 70,000 miles on it. It was owned by an old lady, it was stored inside, and is pretty clean overall.
 
that strap on the muffler is really common for breaking. That may of been her complaint. A lot of 4 cylinder cars get vibrations when the engine mounts get old
 
Is that an ecotech? I didnt think that came out until 2003.

I have a 2006 Cobalt that has a goofy idle. Dealer says its fine. Its did it since I got it with 26k and runs perfect with 86k on it.

Mine sounds like a "cough" if you will every 30 seconds.
 
dave89iroc said:
SL1 with have the single cam Saturn motor, 1.9 I think?

Definitely not an Ecotec
Click to expand...

Yup, would be a 1.9 SOHC. They always idled like they have a misfire. Check the motor mounts but honestly, fix the exhaust hanger and drive the wheels off it. LOL
 
You guys are correct. It does not have an ecotec motor. My sister was supposed to order the muffler strap. As far as the vibration, you seem to feel it by your feet when driving the car. The next time I see the car I will look at the motor mounts.
 
if its vibrating while driving, start checking tires for abnormal wear and balance. Also give the front end a good shake down
 
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