Last night my beloved 1997 Saab 9-5 suffered a major breakdown and I'm
> looking for help in deciding what to do. I bought the car 3 years ago
> with 90K miles on the clock and have added a further 65K myself. Of
> late the engine has been burning more oil, and for the last few days
> sounding a bit "tappety". Last night the engine cut out and would not
> restart (at an unlit busy T-junction of course!) and inspection
> revealed smoke coming out of the oil filler tube and the horrible
> greasy yellow foam suggesting a blown head gasket.
> I was recovered to my local car mechanic where the car is serviced,
> and my diagnosis was confirmed. As major work is needed to replace the
> head gasket it makes sense to replace the cam followers at the same
> time, and fitting new piston rings might improve oil consumption.
> I now have 3 choices:
> 1. let my local mechanic rebuild the engine (expensive)
> 2. buy a second-hand engine with no guarantee that it will be any
> better than the old engine or indeed any cheaper.
> 3. buy a reconditioned engine with warranty (VERY expensive)
>
> Any guidance/assistance/advice would be appreciated.
> Many thanks,
>
> Jim
As others have noted it might simply be a severe case of the 'sludge problem' associated with the ( now acknowledged problematic ) engine breather system.
Don't authorise any expensive work until that possibility is resolved.
What engine btw ?
What engine oil have you been using and what change intervals ?
Graham