Saturn Repair: Engine noise, 1999 saturn sl2, saturn dealership

Question
Greg,

I have a 1999 Saturn SL2 with less than 50.000 miles in it. So far I had no problem with the car to speak of but now I'm toast. It started to make some weird wibration like noise during acceleration, and when I removed my foot from the gas pedal. Not knowing the cause I went for an advise to the local Saturn dealership. Their 10 second diagnosis, based on the noise: a broken  connecting rod bearing. The strange thing is that I'm very picky about routine maintenance like oil change and been driving the car only about 10-15 miles a day. Not even on a freeway! Of course they have quoted me $3.000 for the repair which is a joke.
Of course the 5 year warranty just run out in February.
Could you tell me please:
Should I take it to another service or it is a realistic diagnosis?
How difficult was for you to replacing the engine on your Saturn. I'm pretty handy but do not have any specialized tools or equipment.
In general, what would you do in my shoes?

Thanks in advance.

Attila

PS: Othervise I love the car.

Answer
Hello Attila, (that is a great name, by the way),
I don't agree with thier snap diagnosis.  I would be more inclined to suspect timing chain noise as the source of the problem based on previous experiences with the SL2 model. A connecting rod bearing would do one of two things...cause the engine to lock up completely OR make a ticking sound that is constant - not just at acceleration or decceleration. In fairness, a worn connecting rod bearing will be louder during acceleration but I just don't think that is it.  Here is the good news: If it is a rod bearing, you can fix it yourself with out taking the engine out of the car.  You just remove the oil pan and the connecting rod caps are right there.  You would want to replace all four of them if you are going to do it. Here is how you tell if the bearig is bad...grab hold of the connecting rod and try to wiggle or move it.  If there is ANY play, it's bad.  The bearings are two piece and go around the crankshaft.  The Chilton's Manual shows all this and is plenty good enough to walk you through the job...it is all I used to exchange the engine(about $14). The timing chain wears pretty fast in the Saturn SL2 and starts to slap under the timing chain cover at various places, including the valve cover.  A Timing chain and spocket set can be replaced with engine in the car but it is HARD!  The spaces between the fender sidewall and the front of the engine (the front points towards the right side) is very tight...about 1".  I did it but I wouldn't do it again. Lastly, I think that you should listen to the sound from the top of the engine and from the bottom of the engine to see if it is more pronounced from the top or bottom.  This assumes that the sound is present while idling, which it should be.  If not, then it is a problem that is caused by the engine under load which may be, after all, the bearings...connecting rob OR Main Bearings.  Both can be done from the bottom of the car with engine in the car.  To replace the engine is a BIG JOB and requires a heavy duty floor jack, at least 4 jack stands and a cherry picker (engine houst).  The jack stand holds the transmission in place while the engine is removed, the jack stands hold the car up off the ground while working on it and the houst pulles the engine out.  There are a LOT OF ELECTRICAL connections that have to be marked or labeled.  Also, the cooling hoses are very hard to get to...there is one on the back of the intake manifold that is close to impossible to get to.  I was able to pull the engine in about 9 hours from start to out of the car. All the accessories can be left attached: alternator, power Steering, and pulleys BUt the AC compressor has to be removed from the engine bracket (but not the AC lines...they can be left attached. Installation was about 6 hours and wasn't near as bad as pulling it out.  I bought a replacement on ebaY for $500 deleivered and it started up immediately after the very first turn of the key.
Sorry to be so long winded but it is a very detailed job either way you go.
Please get back to me and let me know what you come up with.
Sincerely,
Greg Moore
www.taylorgolfsupply.com
Sorry for all the tyos, I type think faster than I type.