9-5 2.3t timing cover leak?

[Mike Brennan]

I am not sure JBW is correct to use.
iwould look for aviation oil resistant or fuel tank sealant

[Mike Brennan]

Feels like a turbo hose.
Jack the car up".........I told you that already by pm.

[toxicavenger]

Feels like a turbo hose.
Jack the car up".........I told you that already by pm.

This weekend I will check it out.

[Mike Brennan]

Feels like a turbo line

[Professor Chaswick]

I have exactly the same problem as jlstewart3. and it's the same car - '04 9-5 2.3T. oil leaking right where timing cover, head and block meet behind the chain tensioner. the leak is prolific enough to coat the alternator, front of timing chain cover and serpentine with oil, and eventually the serpentine belt gets saturated and slips off. I can see the leak. It is not the tensioner. I don't look forward to pulling the cover off. Is there something that can be applied to that joint where the leak is to slow it down or plug it until there is a bigger repair requiring disassembly? I've heard of using JB Weld and it will "chip right off" if you need to remove the cover down the road. I'm not so sure of that. Maybe some kin of high temp silicone? I just to slow it down - a lot if I can! Thanks.

You described the leak exactly the same way my mechanic describes it, right down to the soaked serpentine belt which BTW will disintegrate when soaked with oil. Two and a half years ago, at 173k miles, he fixed the problem with a complete tear down and head resurfacing. The problem is unique to this engine due to a poor design where the timing cover, head and block meet. It is very difficult to tension that spot correctly for all three pieces and an eventual oil leak seems inevitable. Now, at 244k were doing it again. It is a Saab design flaw, but the engineer responsible is probably retired and enjoying his reclining years.

I'm now looking at a 2005 9-3 with a 5-speed and going back to real driving.