Saab savvy mechanics - Advice needed

[Market525]

I'm trying to advise a friend with a 2000 Saab 9.3 with the 2.0L turbo engine -- it appears the car could have blown a head gasket.

I have no experience with these cars - does anybody out there know if these engines are prone to head gasket issues? Internet research has turned up that this engine appears to be a "sludger", but pulling a valve cover does not show it to be sludged up. What other problems are these cars / engines known for?

The car only has about 75K miles -- just wondering what we might be getting into here if we elect to do the job ourselves.

Any help / comments are appreciated, since I have zero background with these cars.

Thanks, Steve

 

[Auto-Union]

I've not heard of a HG issue, but I'm no expert. What are the symptoms? afaik, upgrade/updating the PCV is necessary to avert sludge.

 

[Market525]

Symptoms are that suddenly the car started billowing huge clouds of WHITE smoke ... and I do mean huge. No obvious coolant loss (looking in coolant recovery jar) and no visable oil contamination (milky residue). Had someone else suggest a failed turbo, but that doesn't make sense to me ... though as I said, I have no Saab experience. Just not sure what else could produce white smoke other than head gasket allowing coolant in block.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:
Symptoms are that suddenly the car started billowing huge clouds of WHITE smoke ... and I do mean huge.


That's usually a sign of coolant ingestion yes. Some engines have coolant flowing around their intake manifolds too; so in that case, there would an intake manifold gasket failure being the cause for ingestion. Depending on this Saab's engine design, I'd guess you either have an intake manifold gasket failure or a head gasket failure.

 

[Auto-Union]

Sounds like a blown turbo. Probally leaking oil inside the housing/exhaust.

 

[Merkava_4]

^ With WHITE smoke coming out the exhaust?

 

[Auto-Union]

iirc, that's what they do.

 

[TooManyWheels]

The results from Googling Saab white smoke suggest that the turbo could indeed be the problem.

 

[mechtech2]

Perform a pressure test of the coolant system. If it leaks into a cylinder, you've found the problem.
Examine the residue in the exhaust pipe - see if it's oil or antifreeze .
I could tell by smell, but I'm not there.

 

[artificialist]

Sometimes it isn't the turbo bearing that leaks, but the lower turbo hose becomes restricted, causing a good seal to leak under abnormally high pressure.

Replace the lower hose first and see if that fixes your problem.

 

[Saab_Enthusiast]

Have you checked the computer? Saabs of that era have been known to have computer 'gliches' that appear as mechanical problems.

 

[Saab_Enthusiast]

This was in ressponse to an earlier question about a 2000 Saab 9-3. I posted it wrong- sorry

 

[Shaman]

If the turbo is dual cooled (oil and water cooled), then yes, a bad turbo seal could cause the problem you are seeing. I don't know where the turbo is, but I am sure a look into the IC would show shed some light.

 

[02Pilot]

Some Saabs of that era had headbolts that backed out, either due to being bad or improperly torqued on assembly or both(I just can't remember right now). Replacement bolts with a different design are available. I don't recall if the 2000 9-3 was affected, but I know my 99 9-5 was.

That said, I think the turbo is a more likely candidate in this case. If you do replace the turbo, make absolutely certain to clear or replace all the associated oil and coolant lines.

 

[Market525]

Well, you folks the had the turbo pegged as the problem were right. That thing is shot. UNFORTUNATELY, I was not told the whole story before I started digging into this thing. I asked, and was assured, that the motor DID NOT have sludge problems.

Well, that is wrong. The thing is all sludged up, which of course if what killed the turbo. Not sure at this time, but I think I am going to politely back out of this mess, and refer him to a local independent or maybe Saab dealership. More that I care to tackle. If it were my own, I might be inclinded to pull valve covers, oil pan, clean, then ARX, etc, but not this time on this car!

Thanks to all who replied --

Steve

 

[BrianWC]

Just saw this thread. What a shame. What ever happened? At 75k and the turbo going, it's not a good sign but probably not a complete mess. Turbos are pretty much the first thing affected by the sludge problem. Pan cleaning and arx are a minimum. Also the PCV system needs updating... If you really want to be brave you could fill the thing up with kerosene and let soak overnight.....

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: Market525
Well, you folks the had the turbo pegged as the problem were right. That thing is shot. UNFORTUNATELY, I was not told the whole story before I started digging into this thing. I asked, and was assured, that the motor DID NOT have sludge problems.

Well, that is wrong. The thing is all sludged up, which of course if what killed the turbo. Not sure at this time, but I think I am going to politely back out of this mess, and refer him to a local independent or maybe Saab dealership. More that I care to tackle. If it were my own, I might be inclinded to pull valve covers, oil pan, clean, then ARX, etc, but not this time on this car!


What was the history on this Saab? What kind of motor oil, oil change interval, etc.? I've heard stuff about Saab turbos, but my 1984 900T lasted me 292k miles and could have gone much longer if not for smog inspections.