Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:51:35 -0400 From: Malt_Hound <Malt_Houndnospamm*yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9-5 Oil sludge
Peter Oates wrote: > Malt_Hound wrote: > >> gw.mailnospamalbox.com wrote: >> >>> I recently fell victim to the 'oil sludge' problem with my 9-5 engine - >>> 124,000 kms. ( 4,000 kms out of a major service ) >>> Had noticed a buzzing noise on cold starts and thought it was a sqeaky >>> fan belt - later discovered this was the oil pump struggling to get oil >>> from the sump. >>> Then 2 weeks ago a vibration from the front, and later that day the oil >>> light stayed on while starting and I knew it was major. >>> >>> Diagnosis was a thrown timing belt ( had been replaced previously at >>> 60K kms ) and a blocked oil pump. >>> In the end, had to replace the engine block. >> >> >> >> I don't get it, something does not smell right. If you threw the >> timing belt, then that means you have the V6 engine, which is not >> known to have the sludge problem, AFAIK. If you do have the 2.3L 4 >> cylinder engine, which has been suffering the oil sludge problem, then >> you have a timing chain, not a belt. >> >>> >>> Have had my car dealer serviced at the correct intervals for all but >>> one service when I went 3,000 kms over. >>> SAAB(GM) knocked me back on compensation for the new engine because of >>> this. >> >> >> >> I'd fight it. One oil change 3,000 k past due would not have caused >> this problem on a properly designed engine. They are just looking for >> reasons to avoid paying-out on warranty issues that are obviously >> their responsibility. >> >>> >>> Motto: >>> Don't believe the service intervals from the dealer - they should be >>> halved for oil changes especially with city cars. >>> Find a specialist SAAB mechanic who know the car. >> >> >> >> Funny, but that has always been the case (reduced change intervals for >> frequent short trips). I don't see how having a service interval >> reminder on the dashboard would negate that. >> >> -Fred W > > Yes - you're right the 4 cylinder uses a timing chain (not a belt). It > was the guide on the chain that snapped. This may or may not be related > to the oil problem. The previous repair at 60K kms was for a leaking > timing case ( also unrelated ). Generally, you only have guide problems after the car has had some serious overheating or the oil has been neglected for a *very* long time. If neither of these possibilities have occured in your car's past then you just had some random bad luck. -Fred W