2003 Saturn Vue Broken Header Pipe

2003 SATURN
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LARNETT
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I drive a 03 Saturn Vue with 91,000 miles. My service engine light was on and the dealer said that the code was for a loose gas cap. That didn't fix it and the car started skipping or vibrating at low speeds. The dealer changed the timing belt & the car ran smoothe for 1 1/2 days before a loud sound and serious vibrations. Now the dealer is saying that the front header pipe broke off at the weld.

Is this a common problem w/Saturns? Could this have anything to do w/the timing belt repair? Will welding the pipe be smart or should I have them replace it? I have spent $2500 in repairs on this car in the past 3 months.
Apr 5, 2006 at 5:30 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Never heard of that before. A good welder would be the one to get advice from. Check with the muffler shops in your area for feasibility and price. Could also try a wrecking yard.
I don't believe it would have anything to do with the timing belt replacement.

An independent garage familiar with the Saturn marque might also save your repair budget.
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/avoid_car_repair.htm

Good luck and let us know. :)
Apr 5, 2006 at 6:39 AM
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LARNETT
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I called a Saturn service center outside my area and told them what my service rep. said. He had to remove the engine to get to the timing belt because it was below the engine. The other service rep. said that was a mistake and if he removed the engine he could have damaged the exhaust since it is connected to the engine.
Apr 5, 2006 at 8:15 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
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Thanxs for the update. I hope Saturn will be giving you some satisfaction in way of replacing the exhaust manifold. Call their center and explain/complain.
Saturn Customer Assistance Center
100 Saturn Parkway
MD 371-999-S24
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(800) 553-6000

Good luck and let us know. :)
Apr 5, 2006 at 10:43 AM
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LARNETT
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Thanks for the response. Unfortunately I already called Saturn and they are the ones that connected me to the other service rep outside my area. I did however, call the local dealer back & tell them what I was told. They denied everything & told me that the guy that initially told me that the engine was removed no longer works there and he shouldn't have told me that. The ended up welding the pipe back on and charging me $200. I needed my car so I just paid and left. It's too bad. I never had any real problems with my car until this year. Now, I hate it and Saturn and will be trading it in next week for a different type of vehicle.
Apr 6, 2006 at 3:26 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
As much of a saturn fan as I am this sort of thing really agravates me also. I did not even have to pay. So much for being a different sort of car company. I would give the main number another shot. Nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if all you do is file a complaint and let them know they lost a customer.

I respect you frustration and if I had the cash I would not heasitate to ask to purchase the vehicle you just had everything repaired on. Just something to consider.

Good luck. :)
Apr 6, 2006 at 5:21 AM
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Suggested Repair

Have a muffler shop evaluate welding the broken front header pipe versus replacing it, and compare prices with a wrecking yard or an independent Saturn-familiar shop. The timing belt job itself is not typically the cause, but if the engine was removed, exhaust damage is possible; document that and contact Saturn customer assistance about covering the exhaust manifold or pipe repair.

Conversation Summary

A 2003 Saturn Vue developed a check-engine light, low-speed vibration, and then a loud noise and severe vibration after a dealer timing-belt repair. The dealer said the front header pipe had broken at a weld. An expert said this was uncommon, unlikely to be caused by the timing-belt work itself, and best evaluated by a muffler shop for welding versus replacement, with a wrecking yard or independent Saturn shop as cost options. After another Saturn representative said engine removal could have damaged the connected exhaust, the expert suggested contacting Saturn customer assistance about replacing the exhaust manifold. The dealer denied removing the engine, welded the pipe for $200, and the owner paid and planned to trade the vehicle.

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