New member - Question with Saab 9-3 Viggen

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net48734

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Greetings all. Ive searched over the forum for anything related to my question, but couldn't find an answer. I own a 01 Saab 9-3 Viggen. Pretty rare beast, and a very finicky [censored]. It has in all best guess a stage 2 tune and putting about 260hp and 295lb ft torque. Im a member over at Saabnet and Saabcentral where there is a plethora of peoples opinions about what types of oil to use in these hot turbo cars. Most of what Ive heard is people running Mobil 0w-40 as most preferred. Ive also heard conflicting reports from people in forums saying this oil is too thin. I ran into this forum online and figured you guys seem to be the experts. The car is driven daily, I dont drive it hard (OK sometimes :)), I live in Michigan, so it is a hot summer and cold winter. I was curious, what oil would be best to use? With so many conflicting opinions Id like to ask some experts. I have been using synth Mobil1 0w-40, but Id just like to get knowledgeable opinions. Thanks much in advance...

Matt
 
M1 0W-40 is an excellent oil, and is a great match for your Saab. Use with confidence!

In short, the 'confusion' on the Saab site is folks there don't understand what a '0W' oil means - it does not mean it is thinner; it just means it has better cold-cranking ability.
 
I guess I should also comment that the motor has around 200K on it, having had a minor rebuild in 2010 after it spun a bearing. So its not a real "tight" new motor. I was just curious if using a heavier weight would be better. Thanks again
 
A tuned Viggen with those specs isn't that much different from a stock 9-5 Aero engine of the 2002+ model years. Lots of people use the Mobil 1 0W-40 and I believe it was the factory fill for quite some time. I use Mobil 1 5W-40 Turbo Diesel Truck in my 2003 9-5 Aero.

In terms of truly thicker oils you'd have to be looking at a xW-50. Mobil 1 15W-50 would probably be fine so long as the weather is mild. Or you could really get nuts and run something like the 10W-60s some of the BMW M engines spec. Unnecessary in my opinion.

If you're really curious, choose something and run it for 5k, then send in a sample for analysis.

jeff
 
You'd be fine with m1 0W40. The too thin issue is played out. Enjoy the Viggen and check out my oil sticky in the 900/9-3 forum there at central. It's getting long in the tooth but mostly still relevant.
 
Just a question.... why do you run 5w-40 turbo diesel in your Aero? What are the benefits? I just assume it is formulated for diesel trucks. Unless of course you Aero is a diesel... than omit my question lol
 
Many use the 5W40 turbo diesel truck out of the previously mentioned concern over the 0W40, and because it's assumed that a diesel additive pack is well-suited to cope with the environment inside the 9-5's crankcase, ie, an engine known for sludging.
 
Originally Posted By: BrianWC
Many use the 5W40 turbo diesel truck out of the previously mentioned concern over the 0W40, and because it's assumed that a diesel additive pack is well-suited to cope with the environment inside the 9-5's crankcase, ie, an engine known for sludging.


Brian,
What do you think? Since you run in the sabbcentral forum and here. You must be a Saab guy, so what do you think of running the 5W40 turbo diesel in a car? What extra additives would that stuff have that would make it beneficial?
 
Originally Posted By: net48734
...so what do you think of running the 5W40 turbo diesel in a car? What extra additives would that stuff have that would make it beneficial?

Let me allowed to response on it - probably, BrianWC will confirm or disprove me later.
Diesel engines and turbo gasoline engines are similar some point of view, e.g. higher torque at lower rev like non-turbo engines. Our great SAAB engines are flat tappet ones, so the anti-wear components are essential; further problem is the extremely high turbo temperature destroys the 'cheap' dyno oils without high HTHS number; detergents are also essentials to keep clean this sludge prone and sensitive oil pick-up tube and screen. These add packs are existing in diesel oils. Only 1 disadvantage could be: running at high rev in a high-mileaged and oil-burning engine increases the oil consumption that is harmful in the catalyst converter.
I voted to M1 5W50 after several attempts with M1 0W40, Total Q5W40 and Shell Helix 10W40. Excellent add-pack, high HTHS number, still good viscosity at low temperature and no worries anymore at all running on highways in Summer time with A/C and the family is ON.
smile.gif

Just 1 remark at the end: M1 0W40 or 5W30 thin just for our 'new' SAAB engines with quite weak oil pumps - not like in 9000 series.
(I hope you understand this poor overseas guy with bad English!
blush.gif
)
 
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I'd guess its the amount of dispersants in a diesel rated oil? Those B2X5 engines tend to sludge up quite easily, especially before MY04 when they managed to "solve" the PCV mess.
Zoli, have you done any UOAs on that 5w-50 M1? I've got a feeling that it'll shear quite a bit.
 
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Originally Posted By: zpa
I'd guess its the amount of dispersants in a diesel rated oil? Those B2X5 engines tend to sludge up quite easily, especially before MY04 when they managed to "solve" the PCV mess.


Yes, this is the main concern. High heat turbo environment w/ a bad PCV system. Detergents, dispersants, anti-oxidants...

I used all sorts of oils in mine, including short 2000 mile intervals of regular dino 15W40 diesel oils. I think I usually gravitated toward Rotella TSynth (now T6) 5W40 but also used lots of M1 0W40 since I bought out a local Wal-mart's stock when they clearanced it. But truth be told, I used a lot of odd mixes in my 9-5.

Here's a link to my first experience w/ dropping my oil pan and the ensuing fun. But I ended up logging tons of highway miles on that car with nary an issue.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post302033
 
Well, thanks everyone for the input. There is a lot of science here that I dont understand (detergent types, shearing, VOA's) But, I guess what I will do is maintain 3K oil changes with a good rated oil.
 
Further to the inquiry about the oil best suited for the Saab Viggen's engine, what is the best "bang-for-the-buck" oil filter well suited for the synthetic oil application?
 
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