anyone that has this noise,Stop driving immediately and get your car to a mechanic.The noise you are hearing is the beginning of a big end bearing failure caused by oil sludge buildup,it's easy to mistake it for lifter noise as it can sound like it's coming from the top end .you need the sump dropped and cleaned + you'll need new bearings.Leave it too long or push the car and It'll fail in a big way (I know from experience with my 9-5),only use synthetic oil and keep your changes regular!
Mine is making a similar noise. I am trying to sell mine. I HATE it!! It is nothing but problems. It shuts off all the time, even when driving. I have tried everything. We took the oil pan off, cleaned it thoroughly. Tuned it up. We can't find a problem as to why it would shut off. Now the radio, speedometer, and odometer has decided to stop working. This car is a headache you can feel in your teeth!!
@arielista Did you ever get confirmation what the real problem was? I have the same issue but a new engine costs more than the car is worth right now.
@joenapier I sold the car as is. I did talk to the new owner, the noise turned out to be rod bearings. I yours just started doing so, read saab forums on oil pan and pickup screen clean up. It get clogged causing your engine have insuficient oil flow.
@joenapier I sold the car as is. I did talk to the new owner, the noise turned out to be rod bearings. If yours just started doing so, read saab forums on oil pan and pickup screen clean up. It get clogged causing your engine have insuficient oil flow.
Those engines have a high probability of oil sludge building up in the oil pickup tube. That will lead to engine starvation. The engine will seize or spin a bearing. The problem stems from the vent tubes built into the valve cover. They clog and the engine can't vent the crankcase properly.
Spoke to the mechanic yesterday, he said all lifters were charged but had some wear, so he replaced them. The noise now goes away when the rpms come up, but it's still at idle although much lower and more of a tic sound not the awfull tap. He will keep on it untill it's good enough for him.
Got my Saab in bits now with the same noise as this. I checked all the tappets and they where fine. So i checked the sump and found that the pickup was a little blocked. So took the big end caps of and found they where all down to the copper :-( replaced thinking this would fix it but still noise so off the head came. After all that i had piston slap on No4. Not enough oil has kept the piston cool and it has over heated taking some aloy off and is 0.5mm smaller than others! Rebuild here i come.
Mechanic came over he says it sounds like lifters to him. The car will get towed to his shop, where the oil pressure is going to be tested. I will post updates as work gets done on it.
Hey please let me know what your told...my car sounds the same. Think I'm gonna put up a video too.Brought it in and was told rod knock, but to be honest I'm not convinced. I think its the lifters or the sludge build up. I think you have to go to someone who knows Saabs. Good luck!
@ashley2342 Can a rod knock seem like it's coming from the topside? I took this with my phone it make the sound kindda worst but it's more like a tapping of slap sound.
anyone that has this noise,Stop driving immediately and get your car to a mechanic.The noise you are hearing is the beginning of a big end bearing failure caused by oil sludge buildup,it's easy to mistake it for lifter noise as it can sound like it's coming from the top end .you need the sump dropped and cleaned + you'll need new bearings.Leave it too long or push the car and It'll fail in a big way (I know from experience with my 9-5),only use synthetic oil and keep your changes regular!
FilbyTBOB 2 months ago
Mine is making a similar noise. I am trying to sell mine. I HATE it!! It is nothing but problems. It shuts off all the time, even when driving. I have tried everything. We took the oil pan off, cleaned it thoroughly. Tuned it up. We can't find a problem as to why it would shut off. Now the radio, speedometer, and odometer has decided to stop working. This car is a headache you can feel in your teeth!!
lovmyseabee 3 months ago
@lovmyseabee I don't think I'm ever getting one. I'm back to rear drive car and love it. 1997 Lexus SC400 badass
arielista 2 months ago
@lovmyseabee Your ABS controller failed.
capitalistpigdogus 2 weeks ago
@arielista Did you ever get confirmation what the real problem was? I have the same issue but a new engine costs more than the car is worth right now.
joenapier 4 months ago
@joenapier I sold the car as is. I did talk to the new owner, the noise turned out to be rod bearings. I yours just started doing so, read saab forums on oil pan and pickup screen clean up. It get clogged causing your engine have insuficient oil flow.
arielista 3 months ago
@joenapier I sold the car as is. I did talk to the new owner, the noise turned out to be rod bearings. If yours just started doing so, read saab forums on oil pan and pickup screen clean up. It get clogged causing your engine have insuficient oil flow.
arielista 3 months ago
Those engines have a high probability of oil sludge building up in the oil pickup tube. That will lead to engine starvation. The engine will seize or spin a bearing. The problem stems from the vent tubes built into the valve cover. They clog and the engine can't vent the crankcase properly.
jstephan03 6 months ago
That is a spun bearing noise, not a lifter. You need a new mechanic.
jstephan03 6 months ago
Repalcement motor in on the way by a 2004 donor. Can't wait the 9-5 is coming back with a vengance.
arielista 1 year ago
Well the mechanic says the head looks pretty much new like it was replaced by the previous owner. The bad news is the bottom has to be rebuilt.
arielista 1 year ago
@arielista Looks like the same fault as my one i had to re build the bottom end. My one only needed new big ends and No4 piston head was all good.
elliottcoupe 1 year ago
@arielista Looks like the same fault as my one i had to re build the bottom end. My one only needed new big ends and No4 piston head was all good.
elliottcoupe 1 year ago
Spoke to the mechanic yesterday, he said all lifters were charged but had some wear, so he replaced them. The noise now goes away when the rpms come up, but it's still at idle although much lower and more of a tic sound not the awfull tap. He will keep on it untill it's good enough for him.
arielista 1 year ago
Got my Saab in bits now with the same noise as this. I checked all the tappets and they where fine. So i checked the sump and found that the pickup was a little blocked. So took the big end caps of and found they where all down to the copper :-( replaced thinking this would fix it but still noise so off the head came. After all that i had piston slap on No4. Not enough oil has kept the piston cool and it has over heated taking some aloy off and is 0.5mm smaller than others! Rebuild here i come.
elliottcoupe 1 year ago
@elliottcoupe So sorry to hear that.
arielista 1 year ago
Mechanic came over he says it sounds like lifters to him. The car will get towed to his shop, where the oil pressure is going to be tested. I will post updates as work gets done on it.
arielista 1 year ago
Hey please let me know what your told...my car sounds the same. Think I'm gonna put up a video too.Brought it in and was told rod knock, but to be honest I'm not convinced. I think its the lifters or the sludge build up. I think you have to go to someone who knows Saabs. Good luck!
TashinaRocks 1 year ago
Hi did you find out what this noise was? My saab sounds just the same as this and i have changed the rod caps and still the same.
elliottcoupe 1 year ago
@elliottcoupe I will have an answer in the following week or so, I talked to a mechanic who says has delt with this problem with a few Saab before.
arielista 1 year ago
rod knock
ashley2342 1 year ago
@ashley2342 Can a rod knock seem like it's coming from the topside? I took this with my phone it make the sound kindda worst but it's more like a tapping of slap sound.
arielista 1 year ago