Help with service schedule for 2009 9-5 2.3T Turbo Edition manual

[phoenix]

I've always used flush on mine and changed the oil more regularly than specified- no more than 8000 miles. Compared to regular oil changes alone, it keeps things cleaner.

I concur there is a risk to unknown engines that sludge might be dislodged.

[sgould]

Although I only get the oil changed to the Saab schedule, the Saab garage does use flush, but it's been used on every service.

[pompey]

This weekend or next I'll be doing my first service work on my car but I just wondered if anyone could tell me the answer to tidied questions please:

Is it easier to get to the gearbox level plug and drain plug if I remove the passenger-side front wheel?

Are the air con drain hoses just on the passenger side of the centre console and are there only 2 of them?

[sgould]

I don't know about the oil, but there is an aircon drain hose either side of the centre console.

[pompey]

Thanks. That picture makes it really clear. Looks like it'll be a bit of a faff but do-able.

Just spoke with my dad and he said his Saab garage implied the gear box oil is one of those jobs that can pretty much only be done one way so I guess it's just a matter of getting on with it. Still, if anyone has any recommendations then please share them. I will definitely be following the tip of making sure the refill plug is removed first before draining the oil!

[Audax]

So does anyone know where I can get a reconditioned gearbox fitted for less than £400?

Exactly what does that £400 include?

[Geoff1951]

So does anyone know where I can get a reconditioned gearbox fitted for less than £400?

Exactly what does that £400 include?

I suspect that's pompey's wishful-thinking all-inclusive target/budget?

[Audax]

I suspect that's pompey's wishful-thinking all-inclusive target/budget?

Well, I'd like to think it was a quote from leelac, but does that include fluids and extras and a warranty on top? (do they supply the box).

The reason I ask is there's fitting a gearbox and then there's fitting a gearbox properly.

[phoenix]

I only spoke briefly with Leelac but he said it'd be around £400-£500 for a reconditioned gearbox, fitted with a warranty. I think he said it was a 6month warranty.

Considering the time involved with fitting the box alone, I can't see there's much money going to be left for "reconditioning". I suppose it *might* run to a change of fluid.

[Audax]

I only spoke briefly with Leelac but he said it'd be around £400-£500 for a reconditioned gearbox, fitted with a warranty. I think he said it was a 6month warranty.

He knows what he's doing so I'd accept that offer! You are taking a bit of a chance with a 6 month warranty box but put it this way, I thought that meant £400 without the gearbox being supplied. Many places would charge you £400 for the labour and then for the gearbox and oil on top. A proper recon box (which would still only come with 1 year limited mileage warranty) would be around £1000-£1300 and the fluid is another £100. For the price of a properly recon box and fitting you can have the job done 3 times which would still give you 18 months warranty in total.

[Audax]

By the way, how come the price for the gearbox oil is so high?

Bah, I got slightly confused and thought your car was an auto, even so gearbox oil is expensive because not much of it is sold and it has to last a long time. For a manual box I'm guessing that Leelac will rebuild it with second hand parts for the £400 (or pick a known good one, 9-5 boxes tend to be quite good), it only needs a couple of bottles of the oil though from empty.