# 1994 Saturn SL Idle Problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1994-saturn-sl-idle-problem/17560>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 2, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1994-saturn-sl-idle-problem/17560 "2008-08-02T01:56:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![toyotalady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@toyotalady](https://community.cartalk.com/u/toyotalady)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1994-saturn-sl-idle-problem/17560/1 "2008-08-02T01:56:15Z")

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My boyfriend has a 1994 Saturn SL with about 125,000 miles. He is having a problem with it idling high. It is a standard transmission and when you put it in neutral (stopping for a red light) and then go into gear…it starts idling high at about 2500 - 3000 RPMs. After about 25 seconds it returns to normal.  
  
  
  
 Thanks!!  
  
  
  
 Karen K

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**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 12:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1994-saturn-sl-idle-problem/17560/2 "2008-08-02T12:30:58Z")

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That seems to be more common on Saturns than most anything else. It’s caused by a called (I think) an idle speed motor. You should be able to tell any knowledgeable parts counter person what it’s doing and get the part. Shouldn’t be a big deal to put it on. The parts guy may even be able to point at it on your boyfriend’s engine.

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1994-saturn-sl-idle-problem/17560/3 "2008-08-02T14:11:07Z")

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The most common problem with this engine is the intake manifold gasket. If he, or his mechanic, sprays some WD40 or a carburetor/fuel injector cleaner around the manifold gasket around the #1 cylinder and the idle changes, that is the problem. It only affects the #1 cylinder because there is no bridge between the #1 and #2 cylinders on the head side and only three studs around that port. Use an FelPro gasket as a replacement instead of an OEM from the dealer.