Emissions Question...

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Originally Posted by tmleadr03

When you change the plugs. Go get yourself a GOOD set of plug wires (this isn't coil on plug correct?), change the oil, check your air cleaner and you will probably pass.


ETA: Also, while they don't require high end double throw down triple platinum plugs you don't want crap in there. What brand did you use?

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Correct, it runs from distributor to plug. Also, I used Champion plugs (nothing fancy) but if I need to, I'll replace them with something better. Perhaps I'll pick up a set of good plug wires while I'm at it. Any recommendations there tmleadr03?

You should have coil packs and no distributor on your Saturn.

I've tried Bosch Platinum plugs on a Chevy....vaporized the platinum center electrode. Went back to AC/Delco plugs.

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Originally Posted by Squeeze

Correct, it runs from distributor to plug. Also, I used Champion plugs (nothing fancy) but if I need to, I'll replace them with something better. Perhaps I'll pick up a set of good plug wires while I'm at it. Any recommendations there tmleadr03?

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NGK for plugs. No question. Some of the best plugs out there and for your engine not that expensive. Champion are... no.

For plug wires, I would say what NAPA or Carquest has as a "Top Shelf" brand should be perfect. This isn't really the type of car I am intimately familiar with so I am not entirely certain what plug wires are decent. 99% of the cars I work on don't use plug wires.

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Originally Posted by Gman

You should have coil packs and no distributor on your Saturn.

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I'll double check, pretty sure it had a distributor. Gimme a second, I'll check.

Okay, just checked. Gman is correct, my mistake - the Saturn has 2 coil packs, no distributor.

Also, for anyone who knows...would it be wise to go ahead and decarbonize the motor? Figure that has to help. A friend of mine recommended Marble Mystery Oil slow trickle into the intake manifold for about 30 minutes. Again, thoughts?

I seriously don't believe that's the cause. That engine should be running nowhere near the max allowable values. Carbon is likely just a symptom of running rich.

Your biggest problem is fuel/air mix, not ignition.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...pL._SY300_.jpg oil change clean the maf sensorhttp://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/.../crc/05110.jpg a new air filter

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Originally Posted by Gman

I seriously don't believe that's the cause. That engine should be running nowhere near the max allowable values. Carbon is likely just a symptom of running rich.

Your biggest problem is fuel/air mix, not ignition.

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Okay, not sure what the thermostat has to do with fuel/air mix? Explain that one to me please. I'm still stuck on cleaning the throttle body and IAC valve. I kind of want to see how much carbon that thing has on it. So if it's a fuel/air mix issue, what do you propose for the fix Gman?

And thank you all so very much for the help. I am learning here.

The fuel/air mix has a huge dependency on the temperature of the engine. The old-school analogy is the choke on a mechanical engine. You have to run a rich mixture when the engine is cold to start it. When the engine gets hot, the mix can be leaned out. The GM engines run as lean as possible to reduce the emissions that you're failing. When the thermostat is stuck open, the coolant flow is too high for the engine to get to its proper operating temperature. Replacing the thermostat reduces the water flow and allows the engine to get to full operating temperature and the computer will lean out the fuel/air mixture properly.

Definitely NGK for plugs, could look at using seafoam to clean out the engine. Lukely El paso county doesnt have emissions testing, because there is no way my car would pass right now.