[Jack1133]

Hello everyone. First time Saab owner here! However, I currently own three Volvos so I’m not new to this world, just the Saab world I guess you could say. I plan on bopping between here and SaabWorld forum (I’m active on SwedeSpeed).

Just bought an ‘07 9-5 2.3T with 140,000 miles. The engine and exhaust needs some TLC which I will tackle over the next month of Sundays. Car itself is in the excellent shape.

The picture I have attached is pretty much directly behind the motor and above the exhaust.
Is it an engine mount? Kinda looks like there is a drive belt tightening something down?
It’s actually pretty cool there is so much space in this engine bay! What are we thinking this could be? Thanks in advance!

 

[ttuck97]

Welcome to SaabCentral!
This is the rear motor mount, it's one of three on the 9-5 I believe. As far as the moisture that's collecting around it, definitely looks like a bit of old oil. I imagine your oil pressure sensor or valve cover is weeping a bit and it's just collecting around the mount. The oil pressure sensor is in an awkward location and is a known leak spot, position wise on the engine I think that would be a good place for you to start. The 9-5 thread has some great tutorials for almost any/all regular maintenance items found here:

*** Frequently Asked Questions *** and minor maintenance...

General Topics: Common Saab Acronyms OBD II Fault Codes Purchasing Advice: Work in Progress Technical Service Bulletins - Saab 9-5 VIN Decoder : Saab Spares suppliers mail order UK Direct Ignition "Service Campaign". The Detailing Thread! Understanding Oil Specifications...

www.saabcentral.com

For the oil pressure sensor I would use this, also another great Saab Tutorial website...

FixMySaab: 9-5 Oil Pan - Introduction

DIY SAAB Repairs

fixmysaab.com

 

[Jack1133]

Welcome to SaabCentral!
This is the rear motor mount, it's one of three on the 9-5 I believe. As far as the moisture that's collecting around it, definitely looks like a bit of old oil. I imagine your oil pressure sensor or valve cover is weeping a bit and it's just collecting around the mount. The oil pressure sensor is in an awkward location and is a known leak spot, position wise on the engine I think that would be a good place for you to start. The 9-5 thread has some great tutorials for almost any/all regular maintenance items found here:

*** Frequently Asked Questions *** and minor maintenance...

General Topics: Common Saab Acronyms OBD II Fault Codes Purchasing Advice: Work in Progress Technical Service Bulletins - Saab 9-5 VIN Decoder : Saab Spares suppliers mail order UK Direct Ignition "Service Campaign". The Detailing Thread! Understanding Oil Specifications...

www.saabcentral.com

For the oil pressure sensor I would use this, also another great Saab Tutorial website...

FixMySaab: 9-5 Oil Pan - Introduction

DIY SAAB Repairs

fixmysaab.com

Thanks for the quick and thorough reply! I will be digging round those tutorials, thank you. The valve cover gasket is for sure leaking a little, and thank god it looks like a pretty straightforward job for me to do one Sunday. The oil pressure sensor light goes/chimes for just a moment around sharp turns (g-forces no doubt); so maybe that's part of the culprit.

Thanks again!

 

[ttuck97]

Of course, we're all here to help.
Oil leaking from the back of the engine and the oil pressure sensor light coming on during turns sounds like it may definitely be time to switch it for a new one. Usually if that light comes on it's a very very bad sign for your engine, however in this case if you're not getting any other unusual engine issues sounds like it's just a bad sensor. Search around for some tips on installing the valve cover gasket. It can be a bit of a nuisance when you try to flip it and seat the gasket correctly....some people have devised some ways to assure proper fitment (string, floss, etc.)

 

[bob3000]

The oil pressure sensor light goes/chimes for just a moment around sharp turns (g-forces no doubt); so maybe that's part of the culprit.

Just so you know that is not normal on a 9-5, you either have low oil pressure or the engine is low on oil.

 

[Jack1133]

Just so you know that is not normal on a 9-5, you either have low oil pressure or the engine is low on oil.

Ok thank you I will address this right away

 

[QuiickLime]

Assuming your oil level and sensor are good, could be that the oil pressure is actually just low in turns because it's sloshed to one side. I believe you can buy an oil pan baffle to help combat it. Aside from that, it could be some sludge in the pan if the oil wasn't always synthetic and/or longer intervals were used.

 

[bob3000]

could be that the oil pressure is actually just low in turns because it's sloshed to one side.

Holy moly, you'd have to spend a really long time on a very high G corner to slosh a 9-5 sump to the point of low pressure if oil level is correct and the engine is healthy.

It's unlikely an 07 140,000 mile car has sludge but I guess anything is possible with unknown maintenance history.

 

[Jack1133]

Holy moly, you'd have to spend a really long time on a very high G corner to slosh a 9-5 sump to the point of low pressure if oil level is correct and the engine is healthy.

It's unlikely an 07 140,000 mile car has sludge but I guess anything is possible with unknown maintenance history.

The car has some good maintenance history, generally speaking. I ordered an oil pressure sensor and the oil pressure socket just to be safe and change it.

l will attempt it (and valve cove gasket) before I start driving the car. I have ramps so I hope I can tackle it from below — if not I'll remove the starter and try it that way via written tutorials and YouTube videos. Just gotta find a list of tools I'll need.

 

[QuiickLime]

Holy moly, you'd have to spend a really long time on a very high G corner to slosh a 9-5 sump to the point of low pressure if oil level is correct and the engine is healthy.

It's unlikely an 07 140,000 mile car has sludge but I guess anything is possible with unknown maintenance history.

I've had a low oil pressure warning once or twice while taking high speed corners/on-ramps and aside from that never had the warning or issues. Regardless I just try to avoid that now because it's unnecessary/silly.

I definitely agree that sludge would be unlikely though, just trying to provide another possible idea. Most likely not the case though.

 

[andybisnut]

@Jack1133 - let us know how it goes after you get the new sensor installed. Hopefully that's it.

Not trying to frighten you, but the oil light comes on when the pressure is dangerously low -- something like 7 PSI or something. If your sensor replacement doesn't resolve this, I'd pull the valve cover and drop the oil pan ASAP to inspect for sludge. As others have said, sludge is unusual on the 2004+ cars, but not impossible I suppose. Good luck!

 

[EdT]

I had the low oil light flash, and certainly got a bing-bong, on some fast ramps. And yes, oil level was low. For some reason, my 2.3t likes to go through a litre of oil every 2500-3000 km or so. Disappointing--NG900 2.3 non-turbo used maybe a litre in 5000 km if that.

 

[Jack1133]

I had the low oil light flash, and certainly got a bing-bong, on some fast ramps. And yes, oil level was low. For some reason, my 2.3t likes to go through a litre of oil every 2500-3000 km or so. Disappointing--NG900 2.3 non-turbo used maybe a litre in 5000 km if that.

Ahhhh, interesting. I’m doing an oil change and valve cover gasket job this weekend. And then it’s going to my Saab/Volvo specialist garage for a shakedown and hopefully not a monster repair bill, haha. I’m guessing the issues are will be about $2,500, which is the limit of what I can afford right now.

 

[bob3000]

I’m guessing the issues are will be about $2,500, which is the limit of what I can afford right now.

Without pictures of your car we can't help advise on your budget limit. 😄

 

[Josdek]

Ahhhh, interesting. I’m doing an oil change and valve cover gasket job this weekend. And then it’s going to my Saab/Volvo specialist garage for a shakedown and hopefully not a monster repair bill, haha. I’m guessing the issues are will be about $2,500, which is the limit of what I can afford right now.

It might be useful to pay them for an hour or so to figure out what it needs and then come back here and get some feedback. I could rebuild the motor for $2500....

 

[Jack1133]

I just want to say thanks to all of you for replying! Turns out the motor just needed an oil change, and the oil pressure sensor light hasn't been on since I changed it. Engine runs well, it just idles at 950/1,000RPM which I seems "normal" from all of my forum searching.

I DIY'd the valve cover gasket and after two months, it looks like no leaks!

Currently have the rear brakes apart (new rotors and pads). Driver side rear brakes are done. Passenger side caliper is seized. Talk about opening a can of worms for a job that was pretty easy! Time for remanufactured rear pistons. Big sigh.

 

[andybisnut]

I just want to say thanks to all of you for replying! Turns out the motor just needed an oil change, and the oil pressure sensor light hasn't been on since I changed it. Engine runs well, it just idles at 950/1,000RPM which I seems "normal" from all of my forum searching.

I DIY'd the valve cover gasket and after two months, it looks like no leaks!

Currently have the rear brakes apart (new rotors and pads). Driver side rear brakes are done. Passenger side caliper is seized. Talk about opening a can of worms for a job that was pretty easy! Time for remanufactured rear pistons. Big sigh.

I don't want to be a fun sponge, but the oil light coming on between oil changes is NOT normal. As I mentioned, when that thing lights up you have something like 7 PSI or less of pressure. Critically low.

I'd still be wanting to figure out why the oil pressure was so low--burning a little oil between changes is probably normal, but burning/losing enough oil to the point where the oil light comes on is definitely not normal.