Do I need to clean out oil pan?

Asked by phillynoob Nov 30, 2020 at 10:27 AM about the 2000 Saab 9-3 Base Coupe

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

hi. I have the chance to get a 9-3 in really good shape. I don't know much
about Saabs. A Saab mechanic said the oil pan had never been changed (tho
it's a 2000 it only has 131000 miles and recommended an $850 job cleaning it
out. Worth it? I might be able to get the car for $1200. Thanks

3 Answers

41,240

The 1999 to 2002 Saabs had oil sludge problems. Why do you not trust your Saab mechanic? The price seems a little high, maybe you can get a better price at another garage? I would say around $500 is fair.

1 people found this helpful.

At the price you are paying for the car I would use Liqui Moly brand oil flush a couple of times and save the $850. Change your oil every 3,000 miles to keep sludge under control.

1 people found this helpful.
235

It's not a huge job to take the sump pan off, if you've got access to a pit or ramps. Treat it to a good oil flush and drain the oil, remove the front section of the exhaust (cat to exhaust manifold), loosen off the engine subframe (no need to remove it, just lower it slightly), remove the flywheel cover plate and the sump pan bolts then you can manouever the sump pan out. Clean it out, if it's got the usual baked on muck you can use oven cleaner ( the type you use on COLD ovens) to dissolve the crud. Don't leave the oven cleaner on for too long though as it's pretty aggressive on aluminium) ....wire brush as required and plenty of clean fresh water to rinse it really well. Remove the oil pickup strainer and give it a good clean out too. You'll need to replace the o rings as you reassemble it, make sure the pan / engine block mating faces are spotlessly clean and apply some anaerobic joint paste ( I use "Dirko"), don't be over- generous with it as excess will squeeze out and finish up inside the sump, and end up blocking the oil pickup filter again. Reattach oil pan to the block, refit flywheel cover plate and tighten up the subframe bolts then reassemble exhaust (don't use any exhaust jointing compound before the cat and O2 sensor as you'll damage them) . Replace the oil filter and Refill engine with fresh oil. Job done. Course, when you take off the sump pan and you happen to see any trace of copper shavings then you've got major problems as it's likely that your crankshaft is toast...check for any play on crankshaft journal bearings / big ends while you're in there. Cheaper to hit a breakers yard for a replacement engine (around £ 200 in the uk) than regrind crankshaft, and big end bearing shells etc)

Your Answer:

9-3

Looking for a Used 9-3 in your area?

CarGurus has 208 nationwide 9-3 listings starting at $1,699.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2000 Saab 9-3

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    jhardwood
    Reputation
    930
  • #2
    dontata
    Reputation
    800
  • #3
    Jan Fosen
    Reputation
    770
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Saab 9-5
53 listings starting at $5,999
Used BMW 3 Series
981 Great Deals out of 14,019 listings starting at $1,200
Used Lexus IS
294 Great Deals out of 4,919 listings starting at $2,900
Used Chevrolet Corvette
764 Great Deals out of 14,457 listings starting at $4,999
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,216 Great Deals out of 122,506 listings starting at $1,999

Used Cars for Sale

2011 Saab 9-3 For Sale
9 listings starting at $8,800
2010 Saab 9-3 For Sale
22 listings starting at $4,995
2009 Saab 9-3 For Sale
13 listings starting at $4,495
2008 Saab 9-3 For Sale
43 listings starting at $2,995
2007 Saab 9-3 For Sale
31 listings starting at $1,699

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.