Author Topic: Leaky sump, coolant use ???  (Read 3863 times)

carrera

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Leaky sump, coolant use ???
« on: 08 June 2019, 08:31:47 AM »
'97 9000 Aero

I saw my dad at the weekend and it appeared that he has a slow coolant leak and an oil leak as his engine made it's mark on my drive. Time was limited, but I jacked her up and had a nosey around.

There were no signs of coolant leaks, except perhaps a small leak from the bottom n/s of the rad. On the oil side the underside of the car was covered in oil down where the brake / fuel  pipes go. The front of the engine was dry, so not the turbo, but the rear of the engine was oily. I had a look to see of there was a breather pipe problem, but nothing obvious. Being more used to 9-5's I also checked the oil pressure sender. What I wanted to do was put it up in the air and clean the oil off then run the engine to see where the oil was coming from, but there was not the opportunity, dad said he would take the car to his local garage, a Saab specialist (he trusts them 100% , I have more varied views)

They've had a look. On the coolant side noting could be found, so they flushed the system out, changed a couple of hoses and put some sealant in.  >:(  I'm fine with changing a suspect aged hose, not so with just chucking K-seal or similar in. I have no idea if they did a coolant sniff test. Apparently it isn't losing coolant any more.

On the oil leak they've done the cleaning, he was asked to take it for a 5 minute run, came back and after putting on the ramp the diagnosis is a leaky sump.  ??? Sump to be replaced, description from my dad being "it's a big job, things off the top and the bottom"

From what has been said I don't think it's a cracked sump plug, because that wasn't mentioned and when I looked the only oil around the sump plug was what you would expect to see from oil migrating down from above.

So, do B234 engines suffer from "leaky sumps" and based on what I have read around a sump off job on the 9000 is pretty much the same as a 9-5, and I found it very easy to do: Exhaust downpipe off, undo top engine mount, raise engine slightly and wedge, undo all bolts and sump is ready to come off.

I would be grateful for your thoughts / experience on the possibility of  leaky sumps.


« Last Edit: 08 June 2019, 08:33:58 AM by carrera »
9-5 Aero Estates, 2002 Cosmic Blue, 2003 Steel Grey, 2003 Graphite Green, 2004 9-5 Glacier Blue 2.0 saloon, 2004 Nocturne Blue 2.2 diesel estate, 2006 & 2008 Black Aero saloons, 1998 9000 CSE with Aero engine, 9-5 NG Aero XWD Turbo4, 9-5 NG Aero XWD TTiD

phoenix

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Re: Leaky sump, coolant use ???
« Reply #1 on: 10 June 2019, 09:03:10 AM »
I've not known leaky sumps be an issue on 9000s. Just about everywhere else maybe  ;D, but not the sump.

The obvious thing that springs to mind is the oil pressure switch which is on the bulkhead side of the block.

I'm shocked to think that any competent garage would use leak seal. Hell, why not just chuck an egg in for good measure?

I would drop all the coolant then use a two part flush to get rid of as much as possible then actually locate the leak. If you clean up the engine and surrounding area it may become more obvious. Usual places are hose clips that have worn through, radiator drain plug, pinhole in the radiator itself, thermostat housing.

HTH

carrera

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Re: Leaky sump, coolant use ???
« Reply #2 on: 10 June 2019, 09:22:25 AM »
Thanks Phoenix,

We're on the same page, I didn't think the sumps leaked either. I did check the oil pressure switch and that didn't seem to be the problem either.

If I had the car I would do exactly what you suggest, but I don't, and though the garage has done some good work on dads car, there are a number of times when I have had significant concerns about their approach and work. Unfortunately my dad totally trusts them so it's a cause of disagreement between us. I wish he was closer so I could properly take car of the car. :(
9-5 Aero Estates, 2002 Cosmic Blue, 2003 Steel Grey, 2003 Graphite Green, 2004 9-5 Glacier Blue 2.0 saloon, 2004 Nocturne Blue 2.2 diesel estate, 2006 & 2008 Black Aero saloons, 1998 9000 CSE with Aero engine, 9-5 NG Aero XWD Turbo4, 9-5 NG Aero XWD TTiD

carrera

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Re: Leaky sump, coolant use ???
« Reply #3 on: 10 June 2019, 09:23:41 AM »
....and congratulations on your 1000'th post
9-5 Aero Estates, 2002 Cosmic Blue, 2003 Steel Grey, 2003 Graphite Green, 2004 9-5 Glacier Blue 2.0 saloon, 2004 Nocturne Blue 2.2 diesel estate, 2006 & 2008 Black Aero saloons, 1998 9000 CSE with Aero engine, 9-5 NG Aero XWD Turbo4, 9-5 NG Aero XWD TTiD

carrera

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Re: Leaky sump, coolant use ???
« Reply #4 on: 12 June 2019, 09:07:40 AM »
The car was taken into the garage yesterday.

Apparently there has been a misunderstanding, the sump was not cracked, just removed and replaced, suspected leak from the mating surfaces. So that's good news I think.

We'll see if she stops leaving her mark when parked.
9-5 Aero Estates, 2002 Cosmic Blue, 2003 Steel Grey, 2003 Graphite Green, 2004 9-5 Glacier Blue 2.0 saloon, 2004 Nocturne Blue 2.2 diesel estate, 2006 & 2008 Black Aero saloons, 1998 9000 CSE with Aero engine, 9-5 NG Aero XWD Turbo4, 9-5 NG Aero XWD TTiD