Saab 8-year engine warranty: document!

There has been much talk in online Saab forums regarding a supposed eight-year engine warranty on Saab B205 and B235 engines, a warranty designed to address issues regarding oil sludge which have possibly resulted from dealers using semi-synthetic oils on turbo engines, amongst other reasons.

Saab GB has, according to anecdotal evidence, denied that there was any eight-year engine warranty, despite such a warranty reported by the motoring press at the beginning of 2005.

Since then it would appear that a handful of Saab owners in the UK have benefitted from the programme that Saab GB allegedly denies.  Today I have received two PDFs that detail the eight-year engine warranty issue.  I can not guarantee their authenticity but I publish the information here as a service to all Saab owners.

For those still interested, there is an eight-year engine warranty topic on Saabscene.

Here is the text of the information received:

SAAB WARRANTY INFORMATION

JANUARY 05 REF NO. 0250

CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: Additional Five Year Special Support Policy for Oil Sludge and Chain Wear Related Repairs on Fam III Engines (B205/B235)

Vehicles affected:
9-5 MY98-03 with Fam-III engine. (B205,B235)
9-3 MY98-03 with Fam-III engine. (B205,B235)
9-3 MY99 Viggen

Background:
The five year special policy extension relates to concerns in a limited number of engines in older Saab 9-5 and 9-3 models that, under a rare combination of certain weather and driving conditions, may be subject to a build up of 'oil sludge', where the engine oil has prematurely decomposed.

Action:
With immediate effect Saab Automobile AB has introduced an additional five year special support policy to cover repairs due to oil sludge / chain wear on Fam III engines.  This covers mechanical failures of base engine components (see object codes below), with unlimited mileage from the vehicle's original warranty start date.  Customers are recommended to follow the stipulated service intervals and use fully synthetic oil and, if needed, increase the service frequency according to the driving conditions (refer to owner's manual).  This policy extension covers repairs if oil sludge / chain wear causes an engine malfunction, provided the owner can product documentation of oil changes carried out by a certified professional technician according to the maintenance schedule for the vehicle.  It does not affect, and is in addition to, any other applicable warranty covering the vehicle.
This extended policy does not cover normal wear and tear or engine damage due to improper / lack of maintenance.

Customer notification:
No individual customer information will be distributed related to this subject.
Please observe, this is not a Recall but an extended policy initiative to assist Saab customers who may have the concern.

Dealer notification:
The dealer may want to remind owners to maintain their vehicles as described in the Owner's Manual and to use fully synthetic oil.

Conditions:
Our recommendation to concerned customers is to contact a Saab Authorised Repairer for an appointment to check if there are any unusual noises in teh engine.
Saab Automobile will cover 100% of parts and labour costs of the following conditions:

Condition Chain wear:
Rattiling form the cam/balancer shaft transmission or the cam chain tensioner has been adjusted by more than 15mm
The following engine components may be involved:
Transmission Chain (21521)
Chain Tensioner (21522)
Chain guide (21524)
Balancing shaft chain (21811)
Chain tensioner (21812)
Chain guide (21813)

Condition oil sludge:
Low engine sound (metallic "clonk") that follows the engine speed (not to be confused with the above rattling chain noise). high pitched whinig noise from oil filter bypass valve or flashing or illuminated oil pressure warning lamp.

The following engine components may be involved:
Oil suction pipe (22141)
Main bearing (21632)
Crankshaft (21611)
Connecting Rod Bearing (21631)
Balance shaft bearing (21834)
Camshaft bearing assy. (21112)

Guidelines:
Approval process:

Normal Warranty rules apply

Checklist for approval:

1) Services must have been completed according to the owner's manual (copy of service history). Vehicles exceeding the service interval by up to 3 months in time of 1500 miles (whichever occurs first) will be considered.)
2) Confirm that the reason for request is covered by either of the two conditions described above (oil sludge / chain wear).

Claim information:

Claims should be submitted using the following codes: (Normal Warranty procedures apply)

Object code: 190 52
Failure code: 74
Location code: 00
Remedy code: 01

The warranty system will be updated to accommodate these codes and will accept claims from 6th February 2005.