Three problems related to timing tensioner have been reported for the 2002 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Timing chain failed on 2002 l200 with 111k miles on it. Car has been well maintained with no major defects or complaints. This was a very unsafe situation as the engine completely stalled and would not restart. I was able to maneuver into a parking lot safely without involving any other vehicles or pedestrians. The car is currently in the shop for repair and it has been determined that not only did the timing chain fail but the hydraulic tensioner has completely come loose and ended up in the oil pan. So far the repair, including the labor and chain kit, will run around $1500 if there is no other damage caused by the failure. I am having mechanic keep old parts since there is currently a preliminary evaluation underway. I want my parts available should they be needed. Since there was a recall on the 2001 model with the same engine and timing chain component I feel there should have been one on all models with this same engine/chain combination!.
Time chain on an l200 Saturn (my 2002) after only 39,000 miles of usage. I had just parked the vehicle, and when restarting, the chain broke. Prior to this, I was hearing valve noise, but fortunately I pulled the automobile into a parking space. The breakage of the timing chain resulted in a complete destruction of the valves, chain, etc. And required full replacement and repair. This included the head, valves, chain, tensioner, sprockets, etc. Saturn indicated that a newly designed chain tensioner would be replaced during this repair and should prevent future failures. This redesigned part was supposed to correct a deficiency in oil delivery to the chain. Importantly, I had my vehicle serviced regularly by the Saturn dealer with all recommended oil changes, etc.
2002 Saturn l200 stopped working while driving 55 mph. The consumer had the vehicle to towed a service station. The next the day, the consumer was informed that the timing chain had broke. The consumer was told that the problem stemmed from a broken tensioner, which in turn caused the timing chain to fail.