MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Hi, loking for a bit of advice re my car. it's a saab 9-5 hot aero, and it's developed an oil leak at the back of the engine, which is dripping onto the first silencer, which is smoking a bit when standing in traffic. I think at 149k miles the engine probably needs the timing chains doing too. So the question is, how much would an engine recon cost? or are there and fixes I could try?
Any advice welcomed! Cheers guys (&gals)
A new flux capacitor?
Not sure on the engine,never worked on a saab. "Engine recon" is a vast open book of possible repairs.
Fix your oil leak? Could be bugger all, from £20 gasket change to crank seal requiring gearbox off etc. Timing chains? Is it chains? (not that common) if so probably only the adjuster that needs looking at. I'd find the leak first, clean the area and see how fast it returns, using the 2 to decide what it is and how urgent it is.
funny you should say that, lovefilm sent through back to the future a couple of days ago, and the wife and I watched it last night, she'd never seen it before!? I'm not sure she enjoyed it that much to be honest, but I guess it was educational on the issues of time travel...
thanks for your reply coffeeking, the saab engines have timing chains, and the last service picked up that they were rattling a bit, so thought that it might be worth getting them done if the engine has to be dropped out for the oil leak. The leak is on the head gasket. Now I know that's not a good thing, but can I change that gasket with the engine in the car, or does it mean a rebuild?
Are you SURE its the head gasket - fairly rare to leak oil from a HG (but not unheard off) - usually means your head is warped/overheated/bolts are loosening - none of which are good, but some weep for years without failing. Often it is the rocker cover or another item nearby that is leaking onto it and it's spreadign along.
Assuming its fairly easy to get to the timing chains without ripping the engine out (it may not be, transverse engine from the pics I've seen?) then the adjustment of it/replacement should be dooable with the engine in situ. Head gaskets can be done in-situ also, assuming it's not a warped/cracked block needing replacement/machining. Its an interesting problem, it could work out verycheap and easy to do in-car, but likewise it may turn into a beast. Best finding a saab specialist locally and having a chat, or finding a saab forum to ask on - they'll help identify common leaks and approx repair effort. I'm very much one for only tackling one job at a time, as and when needed, but recently was stung by replacing a cam belt on a car that needs the engine virtually out to change the water pump - pump had been flawless, but of course leaked when I put the engine back in!
Thanks coffeeking, sounds like I need to take a day off and take it to my local specialist for a once over. Cheers
Have you had the sump drained?
Also a good Saab forum is www.saabscene.com
do check on saabscene , the head gaskets can weep a bit, but usually at the front right hand side.
Common candidate is the oil light sender, this fails and leaks.also the engine breather pipes perish.