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Re: Your Turbo Q, and related thoughts
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Posted by Jim Watts (more from Jim Watts) on Wed, 21 Feb 2001 10:15:19 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: JUST BOUGHT A 1990 SPG...GOOD DEAL?, DRG, Tue, 20 Feb 2001 23:49:58
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The turbo life expectancy is directly proportional to the care given to it - - just like anything else in the car. I have >200k on the original (non-water-cooled) turbo on my 87 SPG. Original tranny, etc.

You will promote good car karma by the following:

1. Warm it up, cool it down. Let the motor idle 30 seconds or so before engaging clutch, more if it's cold and the oil has to thin out. Never drive hard and abruptly shut off hot motor. ALWAYS, ALWAYS let it idle a little bit before shutting it off. And if you've been flogging it or the motor is hot, let it run longer. You want to cool off the turbo and let the bearings stop spinning before dropping the oil pressure to 0, or several evil things can happen. Gas is cheaper than replacement parts. 'Nuff said.

2. Did the previous owner run synthetic? If so, send him a case of beer. If not, consider switching to synthetic oil in motor and tranny (RedLine is my brand of preference for motor and RedLine MTL in tranny; in very hot climates, you may need thicker tranny lube, see posts by Kevin K). Opinions vary on whether it makes sense to switch with that many miles on the motor (some think old seals, used petroleum oils, leak more with synthetic oils. But the added safety margin of an oil that won't be turned into carbon chrystals by the heat of the turbo makes sense to me, and my tranny loves RedLine MTL. I'd do it and live with the leaks.

3. If you do run synthetic, change the oil filter every 2500 to 3000 miles and change both filter and oil every 12,000. Carry an extra quart of both motor and tranny oil in the boot, because the econopump won't have esoteric lubes. (Which some might find an argument for Mobil 1, but I prefer to carry spares.)

4. Further suggestion: find the best Saab-specific mechanic in your area (this board can help) and pay a few hundred for a once-over/fix up of systems.

5. Get the Bentley manual. It looks cool in the car (red cover, red car: you call that coincidence??) and you might need it some day for maintenance or general curiosity.

That done, get used to that big smile on your face. You've got a great car at a great price.

Good luck.

Jim Watts
87 SPG: The Stealthbomber (modestly modified)
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