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Alert!: oil related technical post.
My '01 9-3SE appears to have a fuel dilution problem. I want to solve it, and/or get the service department at my dealer to do so (car still under warrantee). So far the dealer's position is that they can't/won't do anything until a CEL occurs and the car has a drivability problem. I sympathize with their position, sort of - they don't want to go on a 'fishing expedition' which Saab may or may not pay for - but I also think there is more to problem diagnosis then waiting for a CEL. Currently the dealer is consulting with the district service manager, who in the past has said there is no problem if there is no CEL
Since buying the car at 31K km, I've run two used oil analyses (UOA). After a 6500km interval, analysis showed 2.5% fuel, very low flashpoint, high manganese (winter Canada gas). Iron and copper were elevated, but not crazy high (Fe=approx 35ppm). The second interval (only 3000 km) showed 1.5% fuel, and again high Mn and high Fe for the short interval. I've compared values to a dozen or so other Saab 4cyl UOAs and they are not normal.
I know that excessive idling, especially in cold temps, is a major cause of
dilution. But I don't believe this is the problem here. My commute is best
characterized as suburban, not urban, and at least 1/2 of the miles on the short interval were highway (including right before the sample was taken). The first interval was in summer and included a 2000 km highway trip.
I changed the plugs and run a fuel system cleaner after the first UOA. This
doesn't seem to have helped. Old plugs looked OK, borderline too 'cold'. Oil is Castrol Syntec 0w30-- the German, A3 rated, 'real' synthetic version. Car runs ok. Boosts to red. Idle maybe a bit lumpier than it was when I bought it 20K km ago.
Questions:
0. Should I just ignore the elevated fuel and wear metals?
1. what are the most likely culprits for dilution? (injectors and ignition cassette??)
2. what steps can my dealer take, and how can I convince them to move on this?
Thanks for all insights.
posted by 129.173.3...
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