|
Hi,
I have a 2001 model saab 9-3 convertible (it's a 2002 reg but the old model) with about 157k on the clock. The car is parked mostly on the drive which is quite steep, facing downwards.
If it's been parked for a while it smokes quite a bit when I start it up for a minute or two then the smoke clears. It can sometimes be hard to start when parked like this, not all of the cylinders are firing until it's been going 20 or 30 seconds or so.
If I park it on the level it doesn't smoke anywhere near as bad. Also, if my oil level is above halfway between min and max it smokes more but if below halfway it doesn't smoke as bad.
It does use some oil, but less than a pint in 1k miles.
Reading through various forums on hear it seems it could either be the valve guides, valve seals or the turbo.
Is there anyway to nail it down a bit more than one of three? As it can be hard to start as detailed above I think it's probably something to do with the valves?
Also, if it's just the valve seals, are these easy to change or is it quite a bit of work?
I rebuilt several engines in my youth but that was quite a while ago now so my skills may be a bit rusty now.
Any help greatley appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Doug
Oh, nearly forgot. It was losing quite a bit of oil several years ago but I couldn't figure out where from, it wasn't burning it and there was no oil underneath the car so it didn't look like it was a leak either. I did post this on here but no-one seemed to know. I spoke to a chap from a garage that used to sell Saabs, he told me that they'd seen it on several vehicles but they never figured it out either. It turns out it was the oil cooler. Why it leaks without smearing the underside of the car I have no idea but once it was changed the oil leak disappeared.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
