Saab 9-3SS Great problem search

[pcviking]

Hi all
I just joined this forum to try get help with this below problem that now have taken up 2 weeks time and is still there.
It started out with intermittend smoking from the exhaust system - and i mean really SMOKE.
Well finally it got constant and was also (blue smoke) related to using oil.
Initial thoughts - replace the Turbo - oil seal gone. Yes - right the Turbo was defect and caused by the oil running thru it we guessed.
Now new Turbo installed same thing - or actually it is more smoke and after about 15 min idle it sucked 2 liters oil out, the oil actually dripping out from the exhaust.
So next thought - something in the crankcase ventilation. ok before we checked the compression each cylinder - valves etc all ok.
Ok - we found that indeed the top vents were very dirty and did not let air thru so soaked it for a day and now ok.
Just today assembled it all - And - initially it was better run 10 mins did not use oil or smoke - but then it started again all over.
Now can someone guide us to how the crankcase vent works and what is there more to check. we are lost for answers now????

greetings
Pcviking

[jezz1]

Before anyone can help you, you'll have to tell us which engine you have - we don't even know if it's a petrol engine or a diesel one.

[the zohan]

With Jezz here although i would hazzard a guess a ta diesel engine, given the amount of oil it is consuming

[aerojon]

2.0t petrol..

new turbo or used turbo.where is the oil ending up when it is lost from the sump..

[Noel Preston]

Perhaps the smoke after the repairs is caused from the exhaust getting hot and burning off the oil that was dripping from the exhaust or is it still pumping oil from the engine?

[pcviking]

Ok Sorry bout the missing links Its a 2,0t petrol engine with 175Hp year 2003 - 99.000 miles on it. Its got a brand new Turbo installed (the old was definitely defect). The oil goes into the exhaust system - we think- although where else should it go. There is no leaks or oil elswhere to be seen. As stated also before it came out dripping from the exhaust pipe at the rear so it is in the system. Thats where i think it goes again as it is also again using the oil up in idle.
After refitting the new turbo we had it off again and found oil in the intake part that is why i took it back to the factory got it cleaned up and readjusted. I still think its something with the crankcase vent system but i dont find a good description of it or a diagram. There is a check valve there somewhere?

Thanks for the answers so far
Pcviking

[the zohan]

If the breather pipework is clear and unobstructed then the pressure must be coming from somewhere or earlier in the system so to speak. check the hoses are clear and that they have not perished inside, sometimes they can tear internally and a flap of rubber come down and clog the system up (had this on a fuel line and breather pipe over they years) - simple fix!. Otherwise look to Worn valve stem seals possibly, more likely piston/bore/ring issue. I would get a compression test done asap.

[pcviking]

Thanks Zohan
The compression and valves were checked all is ok there as one of the first things after the Turbo. What could happen if the check valve is stuck (i think i found out theres one imbedded into the inlet cover somewhere?)
I also have heard about a cracked motorblock ? hope thats not it
Pcviking
'sometimes I wish I was back in the viking ages - and had just a wooden boat.....'

[merve84]

Did you clean your intercooler out after you turbo let go?

[pcviking]

Merve84

Yes thanks any suggestion is good i'll try it out as well as the hole tubing (aspiration) i will check them all out.
I calculated now during the troubleshooting about 7 liters of oil have gone missing - figure that...
If I ever find out and get it running ill let you all know - this is a really tough one..

Pcviking

[pcviking]

Hi All
I promised to post when we finally got to the bottom of this problem. So here is the cure. Indeed it was the aspiration system that coused ALL of the misery as well as it probably had the main cause of the ruining of the old Turbo unit.
What was found was also not a single problem but several issues within the Turbo and inlet part of the aspiration.
1st of all decided to remove the entire top and inlet (before that also did the leak checks on the cylinders - they were ok).
So the (1) inlet had clogged runs, the return hose at bottom of Turbo (2) was clogged too; here needs more comments.
As we tested it before with air the air goes thru fine but we decided to put oil in it and nothing came out so we ran a 'self made, aquarium airhose cleaner' thru it and guess what came out carbonized oil residue thick and sticky gue amazing....
As (3) the Turbo Intercooler, yes as Merve84 suggested; got a good liter oil out of that and put it in a cleansing solution for 4 days, (4) The exaust system - taken apart as well and soaked and cleaned out as applicable - mostly the rear mufler
however that was also to avoid smoking the hole naighbourhood up again, it wasn'y too bad this part though.
Guessing what was then really its cause, could be a service where a poor oil quality was used, as i had trouble to find any decent Saab service garage used the local area multi-service garage for that - maybe big mistake !
So now every 15000 oilchange to a quality full synthetic oil brand, i.e Mobil-1 or Castrol GTX.
Im happy now after using 5 weeks (2 weeks of my vacation) and 2K Euro it is back to its normal functions and powers.

Regards
PCVIKING )))))

[inditime]

Amazing stuff PCViking. Im gald you have it sorted, after some severe percevering. Ive always wondered about intercoolers and how much sludge and oil might be in one, having never cleaned one out.