Two new cars since my last post! 03 Vue and another 95 vert!

[Timm]

The Vue has the 2.2L ecotech with a 5 speed trans.
It's got about 186k on it, 100k on the engine. Bought it for $2500, needed about $1k in repairs due to neglected maintenance, luckily the engine was well maintained, but 3/4 wheel bearings were bad, leaky trans seals, THE RACK AND PINION WENT OUT 5 MINS AFTER MY TEST DRIVE, the rear tires were bald, and the front shocks, ball joints, and sway bar links were all shot. Oh, and the interior was NASTY. Took a while to get that all cleaned up. But I really like it now!
The cons to it are:
A bit slow, not terrible, but compared to the Impala everything's slow.
The highway MPG is only about 25 going 70MPH.
The super light weight design means its very hard to get traction on take off.
Engine cools down really fast (stinks in the winter)
Ugly wheels.

Pros:
I get about 23MPG city, giant improvement over the 15 in the Impala... which sucks down $93 octane$
I haven't "modified" it, I'm pretty much out of the teenage "MODZ R AWESUME" stage of my life.
I really like the height, easier to get in and out of!
The rear hatch is nice, a bit more cargo space!
The blue is easy to keep clean.
All panels are plastic besides the hood, hatch, and roof. Only 2 minor rust spots on the thing.
6 disc MP3 CD player, with great highs and deep lows, yet lacking just a tad in the mid range.
EVERYTHING IS EASY TO WORK ON WITH THIS SATURN! No stupid designs like the rest of GM was notorious for. It seems every bolt was set perfectly in a spot that would be easy to get to. spark plug job? 10 mins. oil change? 5 mins! Rack and pinion swap? 45 mins! (electric steering means no fluid to fool with!)

Anyways, that was purchased last fall.
My vert was purchased Jan 19th (2 days ago!)
PS It's a clone of Emma's before we painted it! (minus the engine)





I bought it for $746. Knowing it had issues. I've been there, done that with all of them.
What IS new to me is this engine... Never owned or even worked on the DOHC...
It needs a new turn signal switch,
third brake light and vert specific molding that it mounts to,
new top,
brake booster,
and a few other small things...

What's really stopping me on this thing is the engine... I can't decide weather to keep it, or swap it...
Mileage: 145k
Issues: tough to start,
when shut off, fuel pump sounds like it's struggling and dying,
It blows IGN 1 40AMP Maxi fuse,
It shorts something out every time I go over a bump or turn sharp, the doors lock and unlock, and the chime dings a few times.
It has no power, when I give it more gas it acts like im doing nothing. Doesn't even stumble or anything, just doesn't move.
Will chug and buck when I try accelerating too quickly from a stop or low speed.
Has a oil leak from the front main seal it seems,
Oil leak from the dist. o-ring.
Coolant leak (internal) intake gaskets?
Needs new oil level sensor,
Coolant temp sensor,
and a new timing belt.

Is it possible the timing belt could make it tough to start and cause it to have little to no power? It will idle fine, and I just replaced the fuel filter.

The previous owner overfilled the crankcase... not a little... 4 QUARTS OVERFILLED. so 9 QUARTS IN THERE... I've corrected the level, but could this have damaged any of my bearings, PCV system, oil pump etc?

Is it possible the alternator could be bad? Looks like the front main seal sprayed the front of it pretty good, and my strange electrical issue is getting very tough to trace... I've checked all my grounds, fusible links on the starter are fine, but that ALT is in such a stupid place...

Just thought I'd share, and ask a few quick questions for those who may have answers.
It's good to be back!

-Tim

[urbex]

Sweet rides!

[AL]

A 5 speed Vue!! I didnt know they made those!

As for the vert, since you already have the knowledge of how to swap the engine, mise well as the electrical problem may be in the wiring harness

[Psych0matt]

Also, if you need any LQ1 help, I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I've definitely done my fair share of work and can lend a hand

[94 olds vert]

I've never seen a 5 speed vue before. That's pretty neat.

Good price on that black one. I think I remeber seeing that one on CL.

[Z34guy]

AWESOME! ANOTHER MANUAL TRANS ECOTEC SATURN! Now put it in the site's garage so I'm not the only one in there with a Saturn anymore. That Transmission in the Vue is a modified version of the one in my Saturn. Too bad the manual Vue's were FWD only. Ah well. Lot's of ecotec aftermarket =D
There is one thing awkward about working on Ecotecs. Anything timing related, and only if you decide to do anything timing related while the engine's in the car. It's a simple engine to work on, but awkward to do timing on... just like an LQ1! Luckily, the Ecotec uses a timing chain though.

And congrats on your first LQ1. Once you get the gremlins sorted out, you'll fall in love with it.

[bracohen]

Vue with a 5 speed!? Check out this Vue that I took a picture of over the summer (parked in the perfect spot!):