I have a 1999 saturn sl1 and when i start it up it revs up and after a minute it calms down, also i have a coolant leak coming from the back side of the engine and i'm not sure if it is a freeze out plug or if it could be something else. If i could get any help i would appreciate it. Thanks

1997 SATURN SL1 REPAIR MANUAL easy way is download the repair manual of your car

Make sure the fan temp sensor is working, that is does the coolant fan come on when it gets hot.

u should check the specs on the coolant sensor & ck for vacuum leaks. When u step on the "gas" u are really controlling the air intake, the fuel injection is controlling the fuel. A bad coolant sensor or vac leak will give u these problems also. ck emissions when running. Good luck

96-99 SL1, SC1, SW1. Avoid the 2 models, they are DOHC and have different gear ratios

high revs indicate vacuum leak somewhere,

You've actually diagnosed your own problem. It essentially is flooded and that is because your Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECTS) is bad and telling the PCM that the engine is -40F (40 degrees below zero).

Replace the stock plastic one which cracks with a new brass one found at Autozone or the like. It's a 10 minute job and requires a 13MM deep well socket.

you have leaking fuel injectors they are fouling out plugs.

This is very likely a water pump. It is on the right side and often water is thrown around by the belt. A pump is about $35 and labor should be no more than $60. You would also have the cost of the antifreeze ($15 to $20) and possibly a serpentine belt if required.

If you are mechanically inclined, this is not that difficult of a job. After doing 2 I got the job down to 45 minutes. You must remove the pulley first then the water pump bolts.

It was the coolant temperature sensor. It was telling the car that the coolant was always cold, therefore when starting a warm engine it was being flooded. $$$

if there is no heat coming from the vents i would bleed the coolant system for air, usually trapped air in the system will cause this lack of heat.