Anyone diagnose this?

Asking this question elsewhere has got the quick response of "rings possibly, but more probably valves and/or valve-guides". If so, is this a time-consuming and complex [that is to say, expensive] job on the Saab engine?

That answer is accurate, which is to say, "totally imprecise". None of those possibilities is inexpensive. I don't know if the valve *seals* can be changed without pulling the head in a Saab. But, what you really need to do is a Compression test to find out which it is. After that, some analysis of the related components needs to be done. If your rings are bad, it sometimes means it's time to overhaul the engine (since you are doing 3/4 of the work already). If the valve seals (only) are leaking oil, a head job (or just seal replacement) can be much cheaper.

Get a compression test done by someone who knows what they are doing, preferably a Saab mechanic (independent or dealer). Get an estimate at places you can have it fixed. That's all that really counts.

Thanks ...............

Forgot to mention... the compression test will result in specific values per cylinder, as well as values before and after they put some oil into each cyl to test to see if it's the rings or the valves (when you add oil, it temporarily seals the rings, and if they are leaking, the compression shoots up. If compression is low and does not increase when oil is added, it indicates that the valves are leaking.

If you have it done, ask for the numbers for each cylinder before and after oil is added. They should have a standard for you to compare against, and the mechanic should be able to explain any deviation to you.

There are three main causes of oil in the turbo housing, Most likely is the check valve from the cam cover to the throttle body is not working or the hose is split or the bung in the cam cover is a poor fit and or poor crankcase ventilation caused by split or collapsed hoses. There is now a new type of mod kit to rectify this problem. There is a modified bango bolt that fits to the turbo coolant pipe where it fits to the side of the cylinder head to increase the velocity of water flow to the turbo thus keeping it cooler, preventing the crystalisation of oil in the housing which causes oil build up inthe housing. This should have been done when the turbo waas swapped. The other possibility is a stuffed turbo.......... regards, Tom, Saabtech.