1996 Saturn SC1 Head Gasket?

CRYSTAL0187

MEMBER
1996 SATURN SC1
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
190,000 MILES

Hello = )
Okay first I'm not sure that the model is a SC1, all I know is it's a 2-door coupe. Sorry.
My car has been over heating for some time now. I noticed there was a leak in the radiator so I fixed it with JB Weld. It still over heated and someone said it may be the water pump, so I replaced it. Still over heats. And won't hold coolant (water at this point). Then there was black sludgy stuff in the coolant resevoir and someone said the head gasket blew. So I had that replaced, but the very next day my car over heated (after only a few miles) and the black sludge was back.
Did the head gasket blow again? Why?
Someone said to "Shave the headers" <-Should I?
Please help, I can't afford trial and errors.

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all I need to know if u have a single over head cam or a dual the dual the spark plugs u can't see the single u can see the plugs and there angled at u when u are looking at them. If it's a single cam and ur getting oil in the coolant then u have a cracked head they crack in the number 3 or 4 cam journal and u would need the replace the head all hoses the coolant bottle where u fill it the thermostate flush the radiator heater core etc a bunch of times untill there are very few floatys. Let me know. Also donations and feedback are greatly appreachiated.
Louie