"Why was this car so cheap" and other dumb games with your host, I like cars!

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa)
06/28/2019 at 14:23 • Filed to: None

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! I got title and plate squared away and drove it from his house to mine last night around 7 pm. I drove around a bit with my mom (just to scare her) and experienced no issue at the time. I am officially 19 hours into Saturn ownership. Boom, blown coolant hose.

Just a little blown. Replacement from RockAuto will be here by the 5th, plus a lower hose because it’s probably not too far from popping if the upper popped.

Disclosure: this was not an unknown issue. I was warned that it had puked coolant from somewhere last winter while parked- I’ve yet to look too closely at the radiator, so as far as I know this is where it probably puked from. For now, I’m just driving it so problems present themselves so I know what needs fixed. So far:

Radiator Hose(s)

Exhaust (it’s ungodly loud, but in a good way)

Front shocks- it shakes a fair bit if I hit a bump in a corner. Not ideal!

Headlight motors- these actually function, but when I put the lights off/down, they make a grindy/clicky noise and come right back up after I let go of the switch. They’ll probably just stay up, honestly.

Steering wheel- kind of gunky, leaves black residue on my hands, is generally a little beat, as expected for a 25 year old car (a classic!). I might replace it with a Momo or something, I don’t see the ancient airbag doing me much good in a crash anyway

Odometer doesn’t work- non-issue, but I like to use it to calculate fuel economy, so I might pull it off and figure out the issue/replace it with a junkyard unit

The whole interior is kind of beat, but to an acceptable level. The clutch pedal squeaks. That’s the only interior bit that I have plans to touch.

AC is broken. Crank windows work fine, though, so this is a non-issue.

DISCUSSION (15)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 15:27

Easy fix. Duct tape and send it.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/28/2019 at 15:30

That’s the plan, tape it up, top off coolant with tap water, drive it home (like 5 minutes at most), and park it til next week.

Think duct tape will hold pressure? I dunno how much pressure it’ll even be under, to be honest.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 15:35

Duct tape will not hold pressure. You would need like 10 layers and clamps all around. Just go to auto zone or orilies and but a hose.

sony1492 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 15:40

There wont be any pressure without the radiator cap.....just sayin

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > sony1492
06/28/2019 at 15:57

Seems... Unwise

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/28/2019 at 15:58

Yeah, I ordered one. It’ll be here next week. Will be driving one of my other cars in the meantime.

I'll just be throwing water in it when the light comes on while I drive home today.

TrickJos > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 16:35

The little gears in the odometer are crappy and teeth break off. Very common in old Saturns. I fixed it once with a gear out of a junkyard instrument cluster. Failed again quickly. If you can find one that works it probably won’t last long.

Once upon a time there was a guy selling better gears online. Doubtful he’s still doing it, but worth a search.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > TrickJos
06/28/2019 at 17:01

Hm. Sounds about right. Might be worthwhile to 3D print something up?

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 17:05

Yes if you’ve blown 1 water hose, do replace any and all water hoses. Ask me how I know!

TrickJos > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 17:18

Sounds like a good idea to me. They’re tiny gears. Maybe 1/4” or 3/8” diameter. Not sure if a 3D printer is capable of really small parts . I have no 3D printer experience.

Oh, hey! A quick google search came up with this! https://www.odometergears.com/products/Saturn/S+Series+91-97/62 Funny to see that shifter bushing on there. I’ve replaced that too but forgot all about it. Suddenly I couldn’ t change gears one day and I was stuck using third. Quick and easy fix. Autozone had a bushing that worked in stock.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > TrickJos
06/28/2019 at 17:32

Hey, that isn't too expensive, either! That'll go in the "I'll get to it" category.

TheRealBicycleBuck > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker
06/28/2019 at 19:52

Getting coolant all over the belts will ruin them. I learned that one the hard way! Quiet one day, squeak, squeak, squeak the next.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/28/2019 at 20:36

Yeah, it didn't spray that way thankfully. Still may be doing those in the near future. Luckily GM gave us timing chains on these.

NojustNo > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
06/29/2019 at 00:02

Yup I went through 4 hoses one at a time after doing the water pump on my 87 thunderbird. Then the heater core clogged up.

Sigh.

Edit about 10 years ago.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > NojustNo
06/29/2019 at 12:12

Ha I replaced all the hoses in my Jaguar (which had a TON) and then the heater valve started leaking. I paid my mechanic to do that one. I think the water pump leaks a little also and there’s a few very small leaks but as long as I top it off now and then it’s been perfectly reliable.