Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2005 05:49:23 +0000 From: Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> Subject: Re: Major heart surgery needed to my 9-5 SE
turkishjim wrote: > Last night my beloved 1997 Saab 9-5 suffered a major breakdown and I'm > looking for help in deciding what to do. I bought the car 3 years ago > with 90K miles on the clock and have added a further 65K myself. Of > late the engine has been burning more oil, and for the last few days > sounding a bit "tappety". Last night the engine cut out and would not > restart (at an unlit busy T-junction of course!) and inspection > revealed smoke coming out of the oil filler tube and the horrible > greasy yellow foam suggesting a blown head gasket. > I was recovered to my local car mechanic where the car is serviced, > and my diagnosis was confirmed. As major work is needed to replace the > head gasket it makes sense to replace the cam followers at the same > time, and fitting new piston rings might improve oil consumption. > I now have 3 choices: > 1. let my local mechanic rebuild the engine (expensive) > 2. buy a second-hand engine with no guarantee that it will be any > better than the old engine or indeed any cheaper. > 3. buy a reconditioned engine with warranty (VERY expensive) > > Any guidance/assistance/advice would be appreciated. > Many thanks, > > Jim As others have noted it might simply be a severe case of the 'sludge problem' associated with the ( now acknowledged problematic ) engine breather system. Don't authorise any expensive work until that possibility is resolved. What engine btw ? What engine oil have you been using and what change intervals ? Graham
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