[jo_nate]

It pains me to have to post a negative comment as my first post to this forum, but it seems like I'm not the only one :roll:

SO, outside of having EVERY other common issue that 2003 Saab 9-3 2.0t owners have, I have one that is not so common - or at least not one that I have found on this forum:

A few months ago, my car started smoking a bit - white/light bluish smoke from exhaust - but it is intermittent and usually not until it has warmed up. I took it in for an oil change a few days ago, and ever since then, it has been smoking a LOT - again, not until it is warmed up (10-20 mins of driving), but once it starts, it is just rolling smoke out of the back end... a little embarrasing lol... ;oops:

I took it into the dealer yesterday and they said they thought my turbocharger was going out... so before I drop 700-1000 dollars on a new turbocharger, I wanted to see what you guys thought. Since it only smokes when it gets warmed up and I'm not noticing any performance decrease or weird noises, do you really think it's the turbo - or could it be something else - something CHEAPER ??

 

[tiresmokindad]

It pains me to have to post a negative comment as my first post to this forum, but it seems like I'm not the only one :roll:

SO, outside of having EVERY other common issue that 2003 Saab 9-3 2.0t owners have, I have one that is not so common - or at least not one that I have found on this forum:

A few months ago, my car started smoking a bit - white/light bluish smoke from exhaust - but it is intermittent and usually not until it has warmed up. I took it in for an oil change a few days ago, and ever since then, it has been smoking a LOT - again, not until it is warmed up (10-20 mins of driving), but once it starts, it is just rolling smoke out of the back end... a little embarrasing lol... ;oops:

I took it into the dealer yesterday and they said they thought my turbocharger was going out... so before I drop 700-1000 dollars on a new turbocharger, I wanted to see what you guys thought. Since it only smokes when it gets warmed up and I'm not noticing any performance decrease or weird noises, do you really think it's the turbo - or could it be something else - something CHEAPER ??

There should be cheaper one. I think you should purchase a new one. That seems not effective at all.

 

[JonV]

How many miles.... Blue Smoke is surely burning Oil, White sweet smelling smoke would be coolant.... Have your turbo Inspected before you buy a new one ... if oils getting in there they'll see it. Could also be rings or a gasket.

 

[9-3gotboostAERO]

Head gasket or a seal went... could be the seal on your turbo.
There are plenty of remanufactured turbo's around if it is your turbo, also nows the perfect excuse to have yours rebuilt into a bigger one lol

 

[Archangel6]

Pull the intake side of the turbo off and see if the vanes of the impeller have oil on them. You've most likely blown the oil seal on the exhaust side of the turbo.

I just had my seal let loose 2k ago (I'm @116,000) and purchased an entirely new Garrett unit for $600 shipped from Thailand overnight.

You can save $$ by doing the work yourself and purchasing the (CHRS) rotating assemble as opposed to the entire unit.

 

[jo_nate]

Thanks!

Thanks for the input! I've found a remanufactured one for 425, so I think I'm just gonna replace it and (hopefully) be done with it.