Questions and Answers

Saturn SC2 With A Faulty EGR Valve?? Q. Hi Vincent, I have a question about my 1995 Saturn SC2 automatic transmission. I have about 210,000 kilometers or 100,000 miles on it. Recently, the car stalled on me for the first time. I was able to restart it and limp it along and get it home (not very far just two blocks). I had to give it some gas so it would not stall again but that led to a lot of rough idling.

It felt like it was almost misfiring. I let the car sit overnight and checked the oil (the car been burning a bit of oil recently about 2-3 liters per 5,000 km). The dip stick was bone dry. I added a liter of oil. I started the car and it started to sound okay again. Just for piece of mind, I took the car to the dealer (I had no problem with the drive there).

They download the codes since the check engine light went on when it stalled. The codes indicate I have a bad EGR valve and they recommend I replace it. I'm looking for a second opinion. Should I run the car a couple of days to see if it was just the lack of oil causing the problem thus causing the computer to think the EGR valve was bad? If I had a bad EGR valve won't I see the problem the next day and on very start?

I have another question, Every time I turn on the A/C and run it a bit then turn it off there is this "gym sock" smell. I don't smell it any other time. I figure some mold/bacteria must have started to grow in the A/C system. Is there I product I can use to kill the mold/bacteria?

Thanks for any help you can give me...

A. 1. It can't hurt to just drive it while keeping an eye on the oil level to see if the light comes back on.

2. There is a procedure to disinfect the evap core. Haven't seen a DIY kit though. Might want to check the evaporator drain hose to make sure it's draining to the outside of he vehicle first.