[alexwalton]

Hi

My 1998 9-5 (2.0 basic model) has recently developed a strange noise.

It happens on acceleration whether driving, or just revving the engine when stood.

I can best describe is as a sort of electrical whirring noise - a bit like you get when hand winding a torch or one of those wind-up radios. It seems to be coming from the (UK) driver's side of the engine.

The noise comes and goes as I rev and ease off. The harder I rev, the louder and more high pitched it is. And it's not all the time - one journey it will be there all the time, next time it's quiet.

Any ideas? Anything obvious I could check out before taking it along to my friendly specialist?

(My mechanical knowledge extends to owning the Haynes manual and having RAC membership, so nothing too technical please!)

Thanks

Alex

 

[Saaber95er]

Check your idle pulleys;

 

[alexwalton]

Update...

Started the car today. Engine made a noise like a can of marbles, and started kicking out foul smelling white smoke.

So I stopped it quickly. Not looking good!

So it's off to my friendly mechanic tomorrow with fingers crossed.

 

[unclemiltie]

most likely turbo is shot

Quick diagnostic: Unbolt the down pipe from the turbo (3-bolts) and if there is a bracket holding it to the bottom of the engine (2 more bolts) and pull it away and reach in to the turbo. If you can shake the turbine around, your turbo is shot.

But the foul-smelling white smoke is a dead giveaway on the turbo.

 

[jubie]

most likely turbo is shot

Quick diagnostic: Unbolt the down pipe from the turbo (3-bolts) and if there is a bracket holding it to the bottom of the engine (2 more bolts) and pull it away and reach in to the turbo. If you can shake the turbine around, your turbo is shot.

But the foul-smelling white smoke is a dead giveaway on the turbo.

I cant vouch for the noise (my 9-5 was given to me needing a new turbo).
The smoke on the other hand, definitely the turbo sign.

 

[alexwalton]

Definitely not the turbo as I had a new one last year.... and the smoke was from under the bonnet (front driver's side), not out of the back.

Wouldn't start at all on Saturday morning. RAC man thinks the timing has jumped (new timing chain/belt/engine?)

Took it (on back of recovery truck) to friendly Saab bloke, and he saw immediately that some pulley had broken (could be the idle pulley someone mentioned earlier). But he says that normally it would still start up.....

Anway, he's going to have a proper look tomorrow, so I need to ring up and find out whether its engine is completely buggered, or if it's just the pulley thing. Desperately hoping for just the pulley thing!!

As it's an old car (S reg, 1998), it wouldn't be economical to repair if the engine is buggered. But I have had it for 8 years, so have a stupid amount of sentimental attachment to it!

 

[alexwalton]

Desperately hoping for just the pulley thing!!

It was the pulley! Not quite sure which pulley it was, but it connects to the alternator. Apparently it had seized up, and the belt was shredded.

All fixed now, thanks to the lovely chaps at Phil Smith Saab, Sheffield!