Problem with oil pump.

[Kestas Grigoras]

Saab 9-5 2.3 (2004). Dead turbine was replaced. At the same time, oil, oil filter and air filter changed. Before starting with a new turbine I wanted to prime it with oil. To see that oil is indeed coming to turbine, the bolt fixing the oil supply tube was taken out. Sparks removed, starter switched on for 5-10 sec. No oil coming! Maybe the oil inlet tube clogged? To remove the tube, the bolt on other side (behind the oil filter) must be removed. To reach it, it was necessary to take out the oil filter... (of course, first draining the oil). --> Surprise: filter was almost dry, there was only some oil only in the central part of oil filter, and the outer part of the shaft in motor where oil filter is to be fixed was also dry... By the way, the oil supply tube to the turbine was also dry...
-> Does it mean that the oil pump is dead? ( and that could be the reason for end of previous turbine?). Or several seconds rotation of crank using starter is too short for oil to move around the system?
How can I check the oil pump?

[Kestas Grigoras]

Hello again. Regarding that empty oil filter and tube to the turbine. Can be important that the car front is lifted (to reach parts from the bottom)? Another strange thing - started rotated crank quite slowly, even the spark plugs have been removed... Battery is OK.
Front of car was lifted and without oil for more than month (search for a new turbine). Can this be important?
Do we need to lover the car, put all parts back and try to start engine (idle)? Of course, I will put some oil directly into the turbine oil inlet.

[nordwulf]

It sounds like the oil pump may be the problem. I don't know if just cranking the engine will be enough for oil pressure to build up in the system and supply oil to the turbo lines.

Have you removed the oil pan and check for sludge and possibly a clogged intake screen? The 2004+ 9-5 usually doesn't have a problem with sludge but you never know.

[Kestas Grigoras]

Hello. Thanks for comments and for advice!
Yes, most probably just cranking the engine was not enough to circulate the oil...
We lowered the car front back, then started the engine. Have kept it on for several minutes. Of course there was some smoke around the turbo: new surfaces contained some grease. Then it dissapeared. After stopping, we lifted again. Observer very minor oil leakage at the turbo oil inlet, and a reasonable leakage at the outlet! reasons: inlet bolt was not very tightly fixed (we wanted to check the oil!), and the gasket at outlet was partly broken...
Good news - it was clear that oil goes to the turbo We made inlet bolt tight and replaced the gasket at the outlet. Car lower, again starting engine - everything seems OK

Of course, there is not what is the real oil pressure... So, most probably it would be good (for the engine!) to remove the oil pan , as you suggested. Need to find a time slot for that Older son wants to use the car already...
Nice weekend for you!

[nordwulf]

That's good news. Even if you don't find any sludge or clogged intake after removing the oil pan, it is always good piece of mind to know all is ok in there. And rule out any other issues that may be caused by it. Good luck!