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18 months ago my 1995 Saab 900s with 140,000 miles oil light started flickering. Upon inspection, the main bearings were shot. No sludge in the oil pan, so the mechanic stated that it was due to oil starvation ( driving with low oil?). So, to repair this a set of main bearings was installed, along with resealing the oil pump (including new oil pump pulles, there was so much new found pressure that the oil was shooting out the oil pump seal). The mechanic stated that the bearings were tight and had to use adjust several times with plastigauge. (Should I assume that because they were tight that the new main bearings and crank shaft are like new and should last 100K+?)
With the new bearings the oil pressure is back to 30-40lbs and no oil light flickering.
For the next 18 months/14k miles I keep a close eye on the oil level and change it every 3000 miles. I am adding 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. The exhaust on cold starts is clean (no blue smoke cloud).
After 18 months and 14000 miles since the new main bearings, the oil light is starting to flicker again. I install an oil pressure gauge. When the car is cold I can get 40 lbs of pressure, as it gets hot it drops down to 15 lbs of pressure. I am using 30 weight oil. When I use sync blend 10-40 the pressure can drop to 7 lbs.
I took the car back to the mechanic (independant SAAB specialist). He says that because of the original oil starvation that other parts of the engine are worn and the best solution would be to install an used motor out of another car.
The real cost of replacing the engine is in the labor. It takes 20 hours to remove and install a used / new engine ($1600 in labor). The used engine is $500.00.
If this would fix the problem and give me confidence I would do this. But, I don't have much confidence in a used motor out of another car. I could install it and after 15000 miles could have the same problem as my current engine and that would be a waste of time and money.
To rebuild the engine I have would ensure me that everything is good and new.
What would you do?
1. Replace the main bearings again,
2. Install a used engine
3. Remove, repair and install the existing engine
4. sell the car for parts (parts are worth more than the whole, except the whole car is worth more to me as transportation.)The car is well maintained and in very good condition, very tight suspension, excellant air conditioner, transmission smooth as silk, new tires, everything works.
Thanks
Joe
posted by 65.82.198...
, Sat, 4 Aug 2007 10:56:56
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