Life expectancy of a Saab - Saab Forums

dsljay · #1 04-30-2007, 09:40 AM

My neighbor is selling his 1999 9-5SE with a four cylinder with a turbo. What is the life expectancy of these cars? It has 155K on the clock. The turbo and timing components where changed last year and the fuel pump was just changed. My neighbor is a mechanic so I feel sure that the car was maintained. How long should this car run before it needs major repair? Your friend, Jay

Roto · #2 04-30-2007, 06:29 PM

It should last quite a bit, but when you say timing components were changed, was it just the chain? Did the balance chain get changed? Sprockets guides and all? It's a great car which should give you another 40-50K happy miles if the alternator or something near doesn't take a crap. ALso was the serpantine belt and pulleys replaced recently?

dsljay · #3 04-30-2007, 10:33 PM

Roto, thanks for the info. I believe that the timing chain and guides where changed. I believe he said that the guides failed. Also some pulley was changed when he did the timing chain.Someone told me that these cars have a problem with sluge. Is this true? Thanks again for the info, Jay.

Roto · #4 05-01-2007, 08:40 AM

as far as the sludge problem goes, they do and they don't...to be safe pull the oilpan and cleanout the oil pick-up screen and the pan. It's cheap insurance that you won't have oil starvation.

dsljay · #5 05-02-2007, 12:39 AM

Thanks again, Roto. My son is going to buy this car. Hopefully he will have it by Saturday. I read in one of your other posts that there is going to be a Saab meet in Carlisle. Do you have a link to that event? Maybe my son and I will make the trip. It's only an hour or so from my home. Also, you mentioned removing the oil pan to check for sludge. Is it hard to get at the pan to remove it?
Thanks again, your friend, Jay

Roto · #6 05-02-2007, 09:21 AM

Where are you from anyway? If you're nearby Philly I could give you a hand if need be. Pulling the oilpan involves loosening the subframe. While it sounds scary, it isn't. I don't recall how many bolts there were, bbut it wasn't too many....you do want to support the engine with a beam or a hoist...the oilpan is a gasketless design, so you will need some anaerobic RTV silicone so it could cure without air, and you will have to let it sit overnight to cure.

dsljay · #7 05-02-2007, 12:45 PM

Thanks for the info on Carlisle. I am just outside of Allentown. I dropped the panand oil pump on a Volvo once, I guess the Saab would be similer.???? If I get stuck I'lle-mail you. Your friend, Jay

Roto · #8 05-02-2007, 04:54 PM

Let me know if you need anything. I usuallycheck here a few times a day.