Is this the first sign of sludge?...help please.

[uksniper1]

Hi all,
i've just purchased a lovley 2002 9-5 vector estate(2.3t),
and i would like some advice please..
after reading many stories on the dreaded sludge i've become paranoid that my great car may be starting to show the signs,or is it just me or another less serious problem?

ok,,on the very first start up in the morning there is a little whining sound for around a minute or so,then nothing,it doesn't do it again till the next morning no matter how long she stands in the yard,
it doesn't whine at all no matter how many times you stop and start the engine for the whole day and evening,but the next morning it will do it again,so is this the start of sludging do you think?

any help/advice would be great.
cheers...wayne.

[Mike Brennan]

You dont tell us much. Records, pcv update, but whatever it is that is not symptomatic of sludge as I understand it. However, if you really like the car, get the sump dropped, make sure you use premium gas and 0-40 Mobil I and change it every 5000 miles. Also spend a couple of hours back reading the forums to get up to date.

[nordwulf]

Open the bonnet and try to find out where the sound is coming from. Is it coming from the engine? As Mike said, it doesn't really sound related to sludge. The car is 11 years old so all components start to wear. If it doesn't cause any other problems, I wouldn't really worry about it.

[uksniper1]

Hi,
thanks for the replies,,
sorry if i didnt give enough info,,the car has done 107k and has a full saab service history,
it last had a service in july this year where it had oil and filter change,the car itself runs perfect with no warning lights or knocks or bangs,
i have been reading the other sludge problems on here and just thought id make sure im not in for any problems ahead,
the only reason i asked was the other threads didnt mention if there car did this just once a day or on every start.
i was hoping some one else had this problem and knew what it was,,its defo coming from the engine,i will lift the bonnet in the morning before i fire her up and have a propper listnen and get back to you..
thank you very much for your replies..
i might just do a sump drop just to give me piece of mind i have found a great step by step "how too" already on here.
thanks again..wayne.

[uksniper1]

Hi,
ok had a good look today and the sound seems to be coming from the front left of the motor,power steering pump i think..
is this a common problem?..and is there a quick fix or is it a new pump job?
cheers.
all the best...wayne.

[Suemax]

Hi all,
i've just purchased a lovley 2002 9-5 vector estate(2.3t),
and i would like some advice please..
after reading many stories on the dreaded sludge i've become paranoid that my great car may be starting to show the signs,or is it just me or another less serious problem?

ok,,on the very first start up in the morning there is a little whining sound for around a minute or so,then nothing,it doesn't do it again till the next morning no matter how long she stands in the yard,
it doesn't whine at all no matter how many times you stop and start the engine for the whole day and evening,but the next morning it will do it again,so is this the start of sludging do you think?

any help/advice would be great.
cheers...wayne.

I have just bought my second Saab (93 Convertible, Swedish-built, 2000, 84k miles, manual, petrol). I have just noticed a very similar noise to the one Wayne reports. It is more of a faint ringing nosie than a whine tho.... and I fear it is the dreaded sludge noise. Noise is only on just leaving home. Oil looks fine (I just bought the car). I am planning oil and filter change this week because I subscribe to the "oil and filter change every 6000 miles, like boot camp" rule. I've had a turbo blow before tho and am paranoid. I am SURE my last one started like this!!! THAT noise was worse first thing, then died out.... then whoops!

[Mike Brennan]

None of these represents a "sludge noise" Either way you both need to drop your pans. I believe the best way to track down a noise like this is to first take the belt off then start it. No noise then you know it is one of the pulleys. It could be any one of them. AC, PS, Tensioner, water pump, or drive pulleys. Any shop can figure it from there.

[dj.si]

I read about the issue with the sludge problem when researching the 9-3 before I bought a 2002 9-3 Coupe 4 years ago. In short, the recommendation is to have the oil sump dropped and cleaned out, and for the breather system ("PCV") to be upgraded as per Saab's recommendation. Apparently this affects both 9-3 and 9-5 models. More info here:

Let's talk about sludge! - SaabCentral Forums

Consequently, after I bought my 9-3 I took it immediately to my local independent Saab specialist and had this work done. In the worst case scenario the engine could seize, and I definitely wanted to avoid that!

I don't actually know which particular brand of oil my Saab specialist uses when I have the car serviced each year, but I know it's fully synthetic and complies with Saab's recommendations. I can't comment on how often the oil should be changed since I cover only a low mileage between annual services.

For anyone near London UK, keep reading: My independent Saab specialist is GP Auto Design (formerly AnG Services). They've been servicing Saabs for several decades, and since I bought my 9-3 in 2010 I don't go anywhere else. I have no affiliation with them, I just find their knowledge of Saabs and their service to be excellent.

www.gpautodesign.co.uk

[Suemax]

None of these represents a "sludge noise" Either way you both need to drop your pans. I believe the best way to track down a noise like this is to first take the belt off then start it. No noise then you know it is one of the pulleys. It could be any one of them. AC, PS, Tensioner, water pump, or drive pulleys. Any shop can figure it from there.

THANKS Mike - great idea about the belt. i am not even sure it makes a noise until the car is in gear and moving, so might even be a gearbox whine.... I am very hyper sensitive about blowing another engine.

[Suemax]

I read about the issue with the sludge problem when researching the 9-3 before I bought a 2002 9-3 Coupe 4 years ago. In short, the recommendation is to have the oil sump dropped and cleaned out, and for the breather system ("PCV") to be upgraded as per Saab's recommendation. Apparently this affects both 9-3 and 9-5 models. More info here:

Let's talk about sludge! - SaabCentral Forums

Consequently, after I bought my 9-3 I took it immediately to my local independent Saab specialist and had this work done. In the worst case scenario the engine could seize, and I definitely wanted to avoid that!

I don't actually know which particular brand of oil my Saab specialist uses when I have the car serviced each year, but I know it's fully synthetic and complies with Saab's recommendations. I can't comment on how often the oil should be changed since I cover only a low mileage between annual services.

For anyone near London UK, keep reading: My independent Saab specialist is GP Auto Design (formerly AnG Services). They've been servicing Saabs for several decades, and since I bought my 9-3 in 2010 I don't go anywhere else. I have no affiliation with them, I just find their knowledge of Saabs and their service to be excellent.

www.gpautodesign.co.uk

Thanks - I am not a million miles from Park Royal / Alperton and might well look them up if I need the "PCV" work done. How do I identify whether the car has been upgraded with PCV or not?