View Full Version : smokin
I have a 1999 95 with 82,000 miles... It is blowing a lot of smoke out the exhaust when I accelerate, seems like it only happens when I engage the turbo... and after it happens, it seems to not keep happening till the next time I run the car. like a small amount of oil is accumulating somewhere when the car sits, maybe? I am not using oil between changes, and am running synthetic oil... any advice or input on this will be appreciated... it is a turbocharged 4 cylinder motor...
Blown turbo seals....when the car cools down at night a very small amount of oil leaks into the seals, when it spins up/warms up the next day the oil is burnt off causing the smoke.
VTwagon
29-11-06, 09:30 PM
when should one replace the turbo? When it starts doing this or shoud one wait until it gets real bad and smokes all the time. Ours does this in the morning (v6). It seems worse when it is cold and damp. Dealer said it could go on like this for years and not to worry about it saying "you'll know when it needs to be changed. Our extended warranty is up in about 20k so I would like to have it done as late as possible as there is a $300 deductible.
Also could this be related to cold startups as the oil could be leaked into the throttle body gumming it up a bit unti it burns off?
Thanks Kermit...
So I am probably ok running the car with this condition for a while yet, eh? Sure hope so... What would an average price be for repairing this condition once it gets to where it needs to be fixed?
It certainly seems to only happen when I romp on it for the first time after the car has sat for any length of time, and does not happen if I do not engage the turbo, from what I have observed. I notice it mostly at night, when there are cars with lights on behind me...
I have a local saab dealer, and also a good independant repair place that has done a bit of work on my car for me... Would it be wise to go to the independant person, or should I make sure he knows how to work on this problem first? I sure hate going to the dealers, they charge an arm and a leg just to bring the car in for evaluation/estimate!
And again, what am I looking at, price-wise, ballpark, for this kind of repair, and what will indicate it is time to not put it off any further?
:)
Typical price in the UK for a turbo and labour is approx £500-700. You will know when its gone completely because you will have a cloud following you everywhere and have a major lack of power.
so, is it possible to replace the seals and prevent the need to rebuild the turbo, or is is best to just keep running it till it needs replacing? thanks for sharing your knowledge, I have never had a turbo before, or a saab... loving it so far, except for the price of repairs, youch! I do love taking long trips and averaging 32+ MPG at 80MPH, that rocks... and in style, too!
Very rare for SAAB turbos to get rebuilt, the price is almost the same as a new unit so why go for a rebuild? Start looking on Ebay or GenuineSaab for a replacement unit, it could last another week or another year but ideally change it before it blows totally, you could end up paying more having the intercooler removed to flush out oil.
J i m s t e r
30-11-06, 08:26 AM
Saab have actually increased the price of a new turbo recently. So it's closer to £900 for a new 'un. How much in the "U,S and A", just out of interest? Just that our exchange rate £ v $ is at a 15 year high/low depending on where you are - may make sense for a UKer to consider an imported part?
Can get 'em on Ebay UK for about £350 Jimster. :cool:
VTwagon
30-11-06, 05:40 PM
I was told you cannot replace just the seals. Putting a new turbo on a 4 cylinder is a DIY. Unfortunately I have the v6 and it is a bit more involved to replace. I have an extended warranty and they won't replace mine until it smokes all the time, not just at cold start-up. I just hope it goes within the 20 k we have left on the warranty.
I would do what Kermit said. Look around and find a good price and buy it. When it starts smoking all the time put the new one on.
so, is it possible to replace the seals and prevent the need to rebuild the turbo, or is is best to just keep running it till it needs replacing? thanks for sharing your knowledge, I have never had a turbo before, or a saab... loving it so far, except for the price of repairs, youch! I do love taking long trips and averaging 32+ MPG at 80MPH, that rocks... and in style, too!