Changing a turbo on a diesel Saab 95

[hewlett]

I just wondered if anyone here has done this. My neighbour has blown his, sourced a recon turbo and I offered to research how easy/hard it is to do the replacement. Any thoughts most welcomed. Off to look at Youtube now..

[wackojacko]

3.0 or 2.0 ?


2.0 not so bad iirc the turbo is situated in front of the engine so won't be a major job as access is quite free. From having a little good if it's a 3.0 it looks like a PITA.

[omgus]

If i remember correctly Paul was having issues with a few of the bits around the turbo when he got his Saab, so he might be able to give some decent advice having worked on it.

[hewlett]

Thanks both. It's a 2lt and he says that it's pretty visible (turbo) and looks straightforward removal wise, wanted to know if there's anything he should be aware of. I will probably just offer him a hand and we'll start unbolting and see how it goes.

[SVTRick]

Make sure you replace all the copper washers for oil lines and ensure outgoing oil pipe below the turbo is clear, also likewise check and clean and crankcase breather pipes.
Replace engine oil & Filter.
Before you start the engine crank it over without allowing to start to prime oil system.

I replaced my X5 turbo in May this year easy job.
Essex Turbo supplied a quality refurbed unit with all new seals & bolts required.
Runs well now and I also removed that EGR pipe - motor seems to run very well at near 115k miles too.

[DEANO87]

I assume its a diesel, if its thrown oil into the inlet side you need to clean out the pipe work, inter cooler etc otherwise it might 'run on' when you start it up.
Need to establish why it has failed so the same thing doesn't happen again. I normally replace the oil feed pipe as a precaution.

[hewlett]

Thanks All, I'll take the advice and suggest we give it a go over Xmas

[Justin S]

Were these the engines that had issues with blocking the oil feed pipe to the turbo ? if so, maybe replace the turbo oil feed pipe too?

[hewlett]

I suggested that to him, the feed pipe bit, hopefully he took notice or he could soon have another turbo to replace!

[hewlett]

Thanks both. It's a 2lt and he says that it's pretty visible (turbo) and looks straightforward removal wise, wanted to know if there's anything he should be aware of. I will probably just offer him a hand and we'll start unbolting and see how it goes.

[SVTRick]

Havent you sorted that job yet ?
Too much ale & pie I suspect

[hewlett]

Well the neighbour got most of the metalwork off, the bolts popped out but then he found that something was attached fairly low down at the back of the car and not having lifts, couldn't really get to it. So he called out a local mechanic and that guy finished off the job and got the car running for not much money, most of the elbow work having been done. He has now been taking that car to work for a week and it seems to be all running fine, is actually a little bit better having had a new turbo apparently. Might consider one of those myself if I had to do the Monday to Friday commute, pretty good on fuel and comfortable and cheap to buy.

[hewlett]

Forgot to say, the bolts came off after attacking the manifold with a blowtorch, in spite of the fact that he had managed to mangle the top of the bolts they just fell out once heat was applied. We both agree that if mechanics generally default to using heat then it is probably the most efficient method, thanks also to advice on Facebook.