Oil change and sump removal

[jld579]

Hi I am planning on giving my Saab 9-3 a oil change and have read that removing the sump and clearing out any sludge is recommended. Can any one offer advice or direct me to a guide of how to do this?

Are there any filters apart from the oil filter I will need to replace? and what sort off sump gasket is fitted?

Thanks
Joe

[sgould]

What year is your car? The sump drop is only essential on the later cars with the Trionic7 engine management.  2000 onwards, with the black ignition cassette on top of the engine.

Sump has no gasket.  It's sealed with anaerobic sealant.  Loctite 518.

[jld579]

Hi thanks its a 2002 2.2 DiT

[jld579]

Also it done about 125 000 miles

[sgould]

If you have a diesel, there should be no sludge problem. 

Sludge is caused by the rubber tubes in the petrol engine crankcase ventilation system falling to bits and the bits blocking the oil strainer in the sump.

[jld579]

Thanks, I thought the sludge was caused by the catalytic converter cooking the sump oil? 

[collywobble]

My 9-5 with same engine is now at 142k miles and runs very sweetly on Shell Helix Ultra Diesel 5W-40 oil, plus a bottle of Forte Diesel Treatment at every service.  Top quality oil is cheap insurance as far as I am concerned. Only use less than half a litre of oil to top up between services.

[jld579]

Have you removed the sump to check for sludge ever? Thanks for the oil advice

[sgould]

On the petrol engines, the exhaust/cat can cook the oil, but it cooks the oily rubber mix.  I can't say for certain but it's worse on the early non-Aeros where originally semi-synthetic oil was specified, and the oil and rubber do block the strainer, which is what kills the engine - no oil!!

I've not heard of a diesel doing this.  Other problems, but never sludge.

[jld579]

Thanks, probably just an oil change then, that's good news. Any problems I should keep my eye out for?

[sgould]

I think you should take more note of comments from diesel owners, but the exhaust gas recirculation valve may need a clean.

[collywobble]

I would agree with sgould's post about cleaning the EGR valve.  Did mine last year - used a can of cleaner and an old toothbrush. I borrowed a pair of brake hose clamps to stop the coolant hoses leaking whilst I did it. IIRC I also fitted a new gasket at the same time.  I never use supermarket fuel but branded (usually BP) regular diesel. I found that there was no performance increase in buying 'Ultimate' diesel as the electronics automatically adjust the performance for the fuel quality - or so I believe. A good thrash every so often does it no harm either.