Date: 27 Jun 2005 12:20:24 -0700 From: chadderboksnospaml.com Subject: Turbocharger oil line replacement -- advice needed
A novice question/solicitation of advice: I "inherited" a '91 900 turbo six months ago. In all, I think it runs beautifully. Noticing its performance recently taking a turn for the worse, I discovered rapid oil loss and leakage at the left front of the engine compartment. (Equipped with a piece of cardboard, I estimate that the oil drips form a mostly "L" shape, with the long arm stretchin back a foot toward the left front wheel and the short arm running about eight inches toward the center of the car.) A Saab mechanic's quick assessment is that the turbocharger lines are the culprit. He recommended replacement of the lines and estimated the cost at $750 (~ 4 hours of mechanic labor time). At 227K miles and on a shoe-string student budget, I face a "repair-or-retire" choice. A repair choice will likely involve some elbow grease on my part, but, although I have motorhead friends to help, I'm a novice when it comes to this level of car repair. Is the level of technical difficulty too great to let this fix be a learning exercise? I must confess that I'm somewhat puzzled right off the bat. The mechanic estimates a parts cost of $150 per hose, but the parts listed on www.swedishparts.net for this car ('91 900 Turbo 4 Cyl 2L : turbo) don't seem to jibe with the length of the oil stain, nor the mechanic's mention of hose replacement. Any/all advice accepted -- including the suggestion to leave this one to the more experienced. Thanks, Chad