SKYFALL: The Saturn Sky Redline FAILED Catastrophically

[@davidallen3158]

It’s so good to see Gabe back on his feet.

[@corykeibler4657]

Putting his best foot forward

[@frogger1580]

You want to start the year on the right foot. Glad Gabe is recovered.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😁👍🏼

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@corykeibler4657 🍻😂👍🏼

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@frogger1580 🍻🤣👍🏼

[@Devastator0]

So happy to see Gabe again on videos, he seems like the nicest and most genuine dude! Would love to have a friend like that!

[@hrod4897]

Nice, the Poorvette!!

[@ralphlongo1975]

There's a lot of his friends in his circle that most of have just 1 or 2 of, it's awesome.

[@humchan2k]

Gabe seems like the best dude you could hope for a in a friend. Genuine.

[@marksbikeexports5123]

Pretty good brother as well it seems .

[@derekgardin1512]

@@marksbikeexports5123 if you're implying JR and Gabe are brothers they are not, they have known each other about 5 years from what they said a long while back. Plus JR answered that question on Facebook a couple years back when someone asked.

[@DragPakMerc]

Saturn engineers: Let's start with the battery and build the car around it.

[@RazoE]

Toyota in the 60s added a door for it on the 2000GT. They literally learned nothing

[@Rouxenator]

I think it is an Opel.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@Rouxenator Correct! It was introduced first by Opel and then carried over as the Sky and Solstice. I have both generations of the Opel GT. Hope to have them both on the road this year!!

[@Rouxenator]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 nice, yeah I remember seeing the old GT in the background on some videos a while back. Cool cars! All I have is two Astras.

[@roscop.coaltrain9440]

Definitely check the intercooler for oil. That much blow by gonna have a quart in there

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Good thinking!! We’ll definitely take a peek!

[@BedoBedo0]

That happened to my Jetta TDI, turbo axle exploded and oil was all over the cat and the intercooler was full oil! All the intake system had to be cleaned.

[@Mike_Atwell]

Hooray! Gabe is better and Saturn Sky Redline content is here. Been waiting for this. And yea it's been a while.

[@farber442]

Glad you're all better Gabe, The Sky was proudly made in Wilmington DE. at the historIc Boxwood GM plant. Sadly it closed after the Solstice and Sky discontinued.

[@lazerbeam3928]

I bought a new Sky Red Line ragtop automatic in 2010 and the turbo failed the 3rd week that I had it. The dealer replaced the turbo and never had a problem with the car after that. The only mods I did to it was add a Panhard bar in the back, a heavy-duty sway bar in the front and replaced the factory tires with some Michelin high-speed all-season radials. That Sky was a little rocket ship with incredible acceleration and quite nimble handling. I had it up to 120 MPH and may have been able to go more but I was running out of road. The only real complaint with the car was when the top was down sunlight completely "washed out" the instrument panel and you couldn't read any of the gauges. My wife and I loved that car but life got in the way and we had to sell it. My wife cried the day I traded it in. Every now and then we will see one or a Solstice on the road and my wife will smile then get sad and say "remember our Sky?".

[@CALVINLNIKONT]

Every time the turbo blew up on my big truck, metal went backward into the air filter and forward into the intercooler. One time, the mechanic forgot to replace the air filter and the turbo only lasted 2 months...thankfully still under warranty! The entire right side of my 53' white trailer looked as if someone painted it black. I almost filled up a 5-gallon bucket with oil from my exhaust pipe. Too bad I can't attach pictures.

[@HeyItsJonny]

What engine in your semi?

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Insanity!! Yikes!!

[@spencerweigand9992]

Love videos that continually to be relatable and troubleshooting most people can do at home. The main reason I watch every video religiously.

[@superfred6063]

Great to see Gabe back!! I've really been looking forward to seeing you fix this one - glad it's in progress.

[@MAJorgy70]

Yup, been there, done that in semi trucks. I've blown a couple turbos (both on Series 60 Detroits). 1st one, my Road Repair told to limp it to the Freightliner dealer about 10 miles away. Limped it about a mile (in the dark), white smoke just rolling out the stacks (can tell by the disappearing headlights and taillights), stopped at a stop light and an yellow/orange glow I could see to the side and behind me. People were stopping and tell me "Hey...you are on fire!" Luckily it was blown out by the exhaust. Puked oil all over the back of the truck and on the trailer. What a mess. 2nd time, I stopped as soon as I could and told them get a tow truck to get me. The air to air exchangers had to be flushed out to make sure there wasn't any metal shrapnel in there . Good luck.

[@afternoongarage]

2:50 That inner structure is adjustable. Sometimes there are shims to position it outwards. Need to take a marker and make some marks on the frame to get it back where it was. Good video, thanks for showing your work!

[@SIXPACFISH]

Gabe, Rocking the Bed Head! Glad to see you got good! Stay that way!

[@Z32andCG6]

Gabe's got an endless supply of awesome shirts

[@theburnoutbox9736]

I really enjoy Gabe’s humor… I have missed him in your shop

[@MSIMark]

On your leak down test, if you turn it up to 100psi in, then what ever you read on the secondary gauge subtracted from the 100 is your percentage leakage, exactly. I enjoy your videos. Keep doing what you do...✌

[@br549rdr]

I thought Gabe’s shirt was 100% Jakes shirt for his KZbin channel. Lol. Enjoy your videos. Glad your back to turning wrenches💪

[@RantzCore]

I had the same issue with my twin turbo SHO Taurus when one of the turbos let go. Was fine after the Ford dealer replaced it under warranty. The exhaust was lathered with oil as well. May want to try and clean the exhaust out if you want to reduce the amount of burn off after turbo replacement. Best wishes moving forward to Gabe and yourself John!

[@Chase_AM]

SHOs love killing turbos.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Many thanks T!

[@alvinhill8605]

always a good day when Gabe shows up !!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😀👍🏼

[@Hiram27]

I didn't think I'd ever say this about a SATURN, but I'm really excited to see this project get all sorted out!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

So are we!

[@unstablebobgable]

If I could work on the Saturn Sky Redline with Gabes and Watch JR Goes I would drink the shot of whiskey and the cold Bartle Skeets and roll up the Number and get all schmoked up.

[@jrmason]

Gabe has the best shirts! Sounds like the turbo housing cracked and sent oil through the exhaust that way. Maybe when the impeller came loose it bored it's way thorugh the side wall of the turbo housing and caused oil into the exhaust that way. Man! spirited driving eh? Looking forward to getting this Saturn back in service! -Jon

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Very spirited, indeed!! 🍻😉👍🏼

[@nostric4237]

Love those two guys together. Friend forever

[@tomwspoon]

Yay! Gabe is back - it's always good when these guys work together. 👏

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😀👍🏼

[@alanna3913]

Great content my man. Keep on keeping on!!

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

Great video, man that's definitely a catastrophic failure.. Hopefully the turbo guys can explain why she blew especially since everything looks good on the engine still.. keep 'em coming!

[@ohboy2592]

If that was purchased from PAW in Illinois, they apparently got a bad batch. This is the second big wheel I know that has catastrophic failure .

[@An_Albosaurus]

Just finished the last video. Great timing JR

[@WatchJRGo]

Perfect! This video barely made it up in time 😂

[@Robsav-yx6vi]

Gabe , just a fun guy to have around . Always great to see him .

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😁👍🏼

[@nicholastaylor1546]

Great to see Gabe - maybe check the crank case pressure when you get it started, if that is too high it will not let the oil drain from the turbo and it will over heat and cook everything

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Not a bad thought! I think the most confusing aspect here is that the previous turbo had no issues like this. We replaced it because it was wearing out. We’ll definitely keep looking for any other indicators of another culprit. Cheers! 🍻😉👍🏼

[@mshine5]

Gabe's shirt is killer!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Thank you!!

[@AgtWashingtub]

Oof, Gabe is still on that boot walk life. However, this is my new favorite Gabe shirt

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Yup… still in limp mode.😉

[@AgtWashingtub]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 Limp mode, I see what you did there.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@AgtWashingtub 🍻😂👍🏼

[@juanhigareda3810]

Where can I get that shirt

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@juanhigareda3810 I’m glad you like the shirt, Juan! My Mom made it for me as a Christmas gift.

[@richardfarmer6570]

Nice to see Gabe up and mobile again, looking forward to you getting the Redline back on the road.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻🙂👍🏼

[@gs3504]

Gabe - Definition of best wingman ever! Good to see you healed up dude!!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😉👍🏼

[@billpar]

love Gabe , glad your back working on the Sky , as said love the content

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😉👍🏼

[@marktate2683]

I swear I never see Josh and Gabe on the channel at the same time 😂 I feel like you three would just bounce puns off each other for hours on end 😂😂

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

It definitely has been a while since we were all together. Gonna have to do something about that!!🍻😉👍🏼

[@RodderFiles]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 Take the Durango Home Gabe ;)

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@RodderFiles I should’ve! 😂🤣

[@kerrylewis2581]

It's great to see Gabe running on both cylinders again. Next comes the Saturn and getting that back and running on all four's.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😁👍🏼

[@seandebottis3276]

You guys together make a great video, Josh too. Keep hustling JR

[@robertsturtevant6185]

Awesome content!!!Been waiting on the Saturn to get some love!!!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

😁👍🏼

[@robertsturtevant6185]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 🍺🍺

[@sabrekat7904]

good to see Gabe mobile again

[@toddmoyer225]

Keep in mind it's a turbo car so the rings are gapped more allowing some blow by at the rings. Consistency across the cylinders is a good indication everything is fine.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@pocketdimes1048]

Gabe’s back! 🍻

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😁👍🏼

[@GrandMoffJoseph]

Glad to see that Gabe's healed up!

[@natelilly6078]

The coil pack "POP!" sound coming off that Ecotec was quite satisfying! The mechanic's version of ASMR.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

👍🏼👍🏼

[@razfellow]

More Sky, Gabe and JR! I'm hunting for C6 but would get a Sky. Keep the video coming.

[@nbrowser]

Love Gabe's shirt, mechanics understand it!

[@rager-69]

Gabe's shirt - it took me a little to actually read it. Nice!

[@bw227]

I have a 2008 GXP and have been waiting to see how the Saturn failed. ours has 51,000 miles. love the little bugger.

[@UpperRobin29]

The biggest maintenance thing you have to worry about with our cars is the timing chain and the water pump. Other than that, they're pretty bulletproof.

[@unclejoe6811]

And only use a factory water pump, timing kit you can use cloyes

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@unclejoe6811 sounds like you’ve got some bad experiences with the others?

[@unclejoe6811]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 yes I cringed at the airtex/Murray/duralast you had in the car. The factory water pump is almost $200 but it's good for 100k mi Also it's primarily the vertical black timing guide that breaks no need to replace the chain unless the guide broke and stretched it. Check the tensioner the flat was the 1st version update has a bump on it. Also if doing the chain either change or clean out the oiling valve it has a small nozzle that clogs easily and if clogged the chain doesn't get spray lubed. Cleaning the nozzle works fine but it's only a $6 part so either way.

[@unclejoe6811]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 I say airtex Murray duralast because they are all from the same supplier.

[@Mikes84Corvette]

Broken foot - broken car - still smiling and telling jokes. Nice!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

It’s the little things in life!🍻😁👍🏼

[@steveluken3180]

My dad raised me to assume that when the check engine light comes on, it's just a faulty check engine sensor 🤣

[@pebear]

Good to see the Brothers from Different Mothers (and Fathers) back together in the shop. When are you getting back to the Flood Vette?

[@handbanana6843]

Good to see Gabe!

[@dalecain1158]

I owned a Pontiac Soltice Turbo and I loved it. Never had any problems with it.

[@andrewhillman9632]

Gabe is back! All is good again…….ok…except the Saturn…….it’s still sad 😢

[@billpar]

JR you have some great friends and your friends have a very loyal buddy

[@op12lx]

Keep doing what you do brother, I've followed you since the Suzuki Samuari with your wife. How are you guys doing through this Covid mess and just life man?

[@pdennis93]

Wife? JR was never married to Amberghini

[@johnwatson9826]

Gabes back!!! With the cool t-shirts!! 👍🏼

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🍻😉👍🏼

[@plantedinpr886]

Keep it moving buddy, Keep those videos coming. We'll keep watching. :-)

[@WatchJRGo]

You're in Puerto Rico right? Will you shoot me an email?

[@sammarley347]

@@WatchJRGo i will buy the sky

[@plantedinpr886]

@@WatchJRGo , Yes, I'm in Puerto Rico, I'll gladly send you an Email once I figure out your email address.

[@WatchJRGo]

watchjrgo @ gmail

[@plantedinpr886]

@@WatchJRGo For some reason, my gmail doesn't let me email you. I'll try to figure this out.

[@jamesowenbritt]

I subbed to your channel a long time ago when you were doing 1 day flips. Would be cool to see if it’s still possible to do that in this car market

[@jim5k]

Such a crazy contrast between the clean white floors and bright lights but the dirty yellow walls and ceiling.

[@Dakiraun]

Glad Gabe's on the mend! The banter between you two is always hilarious.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

It’s so good to be working again!! Sitting on the couch for three months was not my thing!! I did get quite good at COD though….😂

[@Dakiraun]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 I can sympathize; my step-daughter had to have her right foot operated on in Dec. which involved them basically breaking a bone to reset it. They inserted two steel rods to help it set right and those _just_ came out last week, so she's still in the recovery state. Takes a long time and is pretty damn painful. Glad the worst is behind you.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@Dakiraun yikes!! Best of wishes to your step-daughter!!! Get well soon!!!

[@TheBarberShopScott]

Can't wait to find out what caused the turbo failure.

[@WatchJRGo]

Super weird... I thought it was going to be the engine finally, nope, the engine is fine 😳

[@sammarley347]

@@WatchJRGo i will buy the sky

[@derekgardin1512]

@@sammarley347 pretty sure it's not for sale.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@sammarley347 I appreciate your interest friend, but it’s not for sale. 🍻😉👍🏼

[@billboomhower9242]

when doing the water pump be sure to install the timing gear holding tool first.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Tracking! Thanks for the reminder!!🍻😉👍🏼

[@generatorjohn4537]

That Red Line Saturn Sky is one nice roadster!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Yes indeed!!

[@awesomemachine3824]

I personally believe the big wheel upgrade is too much for that tiny exhaust wheel / core. It will continue to give you issues. I went efr on my sky and I'm loving it!

[@jethro83100]

Dream Team, JR, Josh, Gabe.

[@houseofno]

I love Gabe's shirt...

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

😀👍🏼

[@31dknight]

Great video from JR.

[@thelightskinliberian885]

JR actually wearing his shirt today 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 welcome back Gabe !!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

👋🏽😁👍🏼

[@CR7659]

If this runs into the weekend you'll be able to say "More on Saturnday"

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Noice!

[@danv6833]

Gabe, any progress on the Opel GT?

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

None. But now that I’m walking again, I hope to change that very soon!

[@Usernamegoeshere84]

Wobbly turbo is fine. Send it!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

🤣😂

[@brianbird3756]

That's one of those that you take to O'Reilly, "I need a new battery, y'all install them for free, right?" (sips orange julius)

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

😈😈😈

[@anthonynelson2005]

“It’s rivals the smokestang with the exhaust.” Westin: “and I took that personally.”

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

😂🤣😂🤣

[@dmann1209]

Awesome episode, you have some of the coolest friends . Any idea what and why the turbo failed? Also your opinion on a supercharger as an upgrade.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

What’s going on there, Airborne?! We can only speculate right now since we can’t tear it down. The shaft has been destroyed as evidenced by both sides moving independently. Beyond that, it’s hard to say. Superchargers are cool. Whether looking at those or a turbo, there’s plenty to do to ensure the engine won’t detonate What are you putting it on?

[@dmann1209]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 Good to hear from you, I am just doing research at the moment. I remember the Pontiac Grand Prix having a supercharged V6 and I often wondered why more manufacturers did not go this route vs the turbo. Anyway it is good to see you out of Robo Boot, I have extensive experience with RB....your calve muscle will return to normal over time.

[@michaelgrow8630]

Gabe is back

[@jimschafer9196]

Good how to trouble shoot and confirmation of the issue was the failed turbo ... interesting failure.

[@wonkster1970]

Gabe! Welcome back!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Thank you!!!🍻😀👍🏼

[@dustinmoreland7742]

I love that check engine light shirt!

[@szumlins]

Pro tip. Replace with a ‘98 subby outback battery. Plenty of CCA, smaller, half the price. No removing the fender well support bar either.

[@kevinschlossser7858]

Stinger Dry cell is also a good replacement for it. Twice the Cranking amps and 30% smaller. It is expensive but if the OE battery will last 12+ years as it did in my Solstice then a high quality dry cell should last 25 years.. It is what I have in my car and have not had an issue with it in 2 years.

[@Hiller5150]

The pcv system most likely Hooks into air box somewhere or a vented line and the excess crankcase pressure is blowing into air box therefore sucking it into inlet side of turbo. Psa I assure you the suckie side , didn’t start blowing its physically impossible by design

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

PCV is not the culprit this time.

[@Danger-Dave]

Don't know who Martin has building RPM's "Big Wheel" Turbos these days but I know several Sky owners who have had them blow out seals, not necessarily from RPM although that broken shaft issue I've never seen before...man that's really bad for only a few months of use. What was the PSI topping out at? *Easy Battery removal by jacking up and removing the wheel and the fender liner screws at the rear then peal it back and slide her out.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Thanks for the tip on the battery removal! PSI wasn’t crazy high- Probably 20? It certainly exceeded what the stock turbo did which was about 15 PSI.

[@violinmiata]

Can’t wait to see what the turbo shop has to say.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Neither can we! We’d very much like to be present for the tear down just to see what happened!

[@CJLeTeff]

So did Gabe hurt his foot stomping the gas to the floor too hard? 😁🤣😂

[@garrisong]

I do like the fact the motor has a timing chain as opposed to a timing belt.

[@kevinschlossser7858]

Just to provide some information about a "big wheel" upgraded. It doesn't add a single HP to the car. All it does is stop the falloff at high RPM that is seen with the stock turbo. If you tuned the vehicle before replacing the turbo you would have seen close to a 25% gain in HP from the tune alone. The stock BorgWarner K04 turbo is not able to move the volume of air needed to maintain 14+ psi of boost pressure when the engine is above 5250 RPMs. that is why the boost pressure peaks and then drops 2-3 PSI. The big wheel turbo moves a larger volume of air so there is less of a falloff. The turbo is still limited to 23ish PSI. This is the second time I have seen a big wheel turbo fail in this manner and they came from 2 different vendors in a only a few months of use. I am thinking the shaft and bearings are not able to handle the additional stress caused by the increased weight of the compressor wheel.

[@Rouxenator]

I hope you guys get that Opel back on the road soon.

[@lggeorge2400]

Tell Gabe I want that shirt! lol

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

😁👍🏼👍🏼

[@jimjulius7802]

Great video guys

[@davidrivera4116]

Always like when you guys team up. Where can I get one of those shirts ? Wanna get it for my son!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

I’m really glad you like the shirt! My Mom made it for me as a Christmas gift.

[@davidrivera4116]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 awesome. Nice of mom 😉

[@SLude480]

Man do a battery relocate while you’re at it. That’s wild.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

There’s really nowhere else for it to go.

[@SLude480]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 behind a seat or isn’t there a tiny trunk?

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

@@SLude480 LOL…. Nooo… there’s enough room for a gallon of milk, half a loaf of bread and like three or four pesos in the trunk. Behind the seat is enough room for a brochure about larger cars 😂🤣

[@psychocuda]

Gabe's shirt is awesome.

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

Thank you!

[@allanbrooks3060]

You've got great friends

[@mds2465]

How can you stand working on that thing with the hood in the way? I personally would've taken that off first!

[@Gabe-ABNCW3]

We took it off for the next part.😉

[@mds2465]

@@Gabe-ABNCW3 excellent!

[@fdmackey3666]

I know a gent with more money in the bank (and probably in the pockets of his pants) than many Third World countries who has a collection of classic, exotic, odd ball, rare, and in some cases heavily modified vehicles. One of the heavily modified vehicles is a Sky that was bone stock and like new (fewer than 2,000 miles on the clock) when he purchased it at an estate sale in 2018. Thanks to some serious engineering ingenuity on the part of his garage staff the car still looks stock....Until you pop the hood and see the turbo charged 4.3L VORTEC engine that, minus the turbo of course, came out of a 1996 GMC Sonoma. How did his mechanics pull that one off? I have not the slightest clue as I lack all but the very basic of skills when it comes to working on cars....I draw the line at changing my own oil and oil and air filters if that tells you anything. That Sky has made any number of trips up and down the east coast and to car shows as far west as Denver. He and his wife are well into their seventies now but still "burn up the road" with their fleet of vehicles many of which range from old but numbers matching to so heavily modified that I have no idea how they manage to get them registered and insured for use on the highways and byways of this or any other country. I really enjoyed this video as I always thought the Sky was a fascinating design even though I've only seen a bare handful of them on the road since the demise of the Saturn name.

[@ohboy2592]

Gm made a turbo 4.3 for the typhoon and the cyclone. Spunky engine but you can get more power from the 2.0 turbo that came with the car.

[@pops55650]

Status on the new white Vette engine? A quick tear down of the milkshake motor too. But the Saturn is cool, I’ll be watching

[@Lostinthestarfissure]

Saw this and first thought was “Gabe WHAT did you do?”

[@juanhigareda3810]

Include the food part I'll watch I always wondered what Mexican food looks in Wichita

[@billshirk1737]

Thanks for the grind

[@terrylessmann2274]

Don't drop that battery on your foot!!! Gabe's Sky has been down about as long as my CSS. The engine is being rebuilt in AZ. Had bore scoring. Pulled June 1. It's done but waiting on a pallet to be shipped back to OMA. She'll be a rocket when she's done. Pumped up from 3.4L to 3.8 with stonger internals. Won't quite keep up with JR's new Turbo S, but close.