5th Oct 2006, 08:27

To the last poster: Saab's expensive service???

Didn't you get free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years 36,000 miles? How expensive is free???

6th Oct 2006, 05:52

I hear you loud and clear - you keep telling those of us who have had this sludge problem what we SHOULD have done. And yes, it IS an expensive lesson.

While this is informative, is IS after the fact and quite frankly it isn't addressing the questions a few of us have. I was just hoping to read about other's experience and/or advice dealing with SAAB about this current issue. Trust me - I feel horribly enough.

This is my 4th Saab and my first Turbo. It's certainly my first sludge problem, but I did not seek out a Turbo - it was just presented to me as a good car when I traded in my 900S, If I made a mistake by following the owner's manual and taking it at it's word, then not only shame on me, but shame on Saab. It had nothing to do with "too much trouble" as you infer.

If anyone has any other advice about dealing with Saab regarding this, or the Class Action suit - I am all ears.

And thank you for the advice, but going forward I will of course take heed, but at this point it feels like having a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

6th Oct 2006, 13:56

I'm sorry, it was not my intention to "poke" you in the eye with "a sharp stick".

My advice would be to continue to call Saab until you get someone who will listen. The biggest problem is not having receipts for the oil changes (the manufacturers seem to love that one), as how many poor customers having fallen victim to that?

In fairness to the manufacturers, I can understand why they need proof, but on the other hand, if there is in fact a problem with a specific engine, they should assist in some way.

Also, I agree, the recommended service intervals are not only inflated, but they are unrealistic and dangerous to engine life. Again, especially with a turbo engine.

Again, try dealing directly with Saab, the class action suit option probably won't get you results, especially as fast as you need them.

20th Oct 2006, 07:52

I'm surprised that Saab is paying for the replacement, especially if you did go 11,000 miles without changing the oil.

I wouldn't be calling Saab names such as "sludge monster", you probably did in the engine with that kind of gap between oil changes.

I'm sure it's easier to blame the car, but in this case, you had something to do with it.

I'm not saying this to be mean, but you really need to change the oil religiously.

21st Oct 2006, 07:34

Point well taken about changing the oil more often.

However, I totally disagree with you that my changing the oil at ONE TIME at 11,000 instead of 10,000 as the Owner Manual suggests is what did in the engine and I am just glad that Saab didn't agree with you. The Warranty Letter that was sent clearly specifies that they will cover a 2,000 mile difference. As I said in my earlier post - if I made a mistake in believing Saab's Owners Manual - shame on me, but shame on Saab for helping to create this problem by giving misinformation in the first place.

Although I came here with the intent to ask for advice and then share my experience, I'm not sure how productive finger-pointing and belittling someone's experience is. Grousing at me seems a bit petty.

Best of luck to the rest of you who have been bitten by the Sludge Monster.

21st Oct 2006, 21:31

If you only change your oil every 10,000 miles, the "Sludge Monster" looks back at you every time you look in a mirror.

You won't get validation for neglecting your Saab's engine from this corner either.

22nd Oct 2006, 08:08

I guess the blaming the manufacturer is easier than admitting that you didn't service the car as often as you should have.

There is no "sludge monster", only neglectful owners.

22nd Oct 2006, 23:03

I have a Saab 9-3 2001 with about 84K miles. Last year the check engine light came and stayed on for a few days. When I took the car to the Saab dealer they said that when they started it there was no light and there were no light related codes. I never had the light come up again until this weekend. I wonder if anyone has any experience on this. The engine light is the only light on. No oil or other lights. Thanks.

26th Oct 2006, 15:08

We are having problems with a recurring "check-engine light." At 76K miles, and the recall on an ignition switch sensor, I took the 2000 93 Turbo HO to a Saab Dealer and paid the $150 for a 73 point inspections which turned up nothing, they said it was the recall issue and told me to drive the vehicle 40 or 50 miles and it would reset itself.

It did reset itself and additionally, after the 73 point inspection the starter/ignition is on the blink, periodically not starting after having driven it a short distance and waiting 20-30 minutes or so and then it magically starts. I contacted the Saab dealer who passed it on the 73 point inspection and low and behold they told me now it was a bad starter and that would cost $700. I found another mechanic who said it was a bad ignition switch at $380... so I replaced and am not having starting problems, but within 40 miles the check engine light came back on again.

I can't get the vehicle inspected with the light on and here in Texas the engine must cycle 4 times after resetting the check engine light or it won't pass inspection. Now I'm being told that it is the catalytic coverter and that's around $700-$1000.

8th Nov 2006, 20:49

I'm another victim of the sludge problem. And while I feel your pain, it makes me feel better to know that I am not alone. My story is the same as everyone else's - oil light flashing at 46,000 while hours away from home despite regularly having the oil changed by the dealer etc. I brought the car to a local dealer, who dropped the pan and cleaned out the sludge.

My question is - how long will this solve the problem for? Based upon the way the engine is built, it sounds like this is always going to be an issue. If anyone has had the pan dropped and cleaned I'd love to know what the result has been. Thanks.