Hi,

A friend bought a 9-5, 2.0 LPT, year 2000, with 133k miles on it.

The oil - the little bit I can get on the dipstick - looks suspect for
dryness/smokiness (sludge?).  Level is low .. the car has gone
unserviced for 16k miles.  Supposingly it is on fully synthetic.  With
the engine fully warmed up I can hear the top end (hydraulic valve
lifters/pushers ...).

Question 1.  Is it safe to flush the engine (my franchised dealer does
it to my 9000 every year)?

Question 2.  Temporary fill. Toying with the idea of filling with a
mobil 10-40 semi-synthetic which I have (and which I found too thin for
my car I could hear the chain with it but not with SAAB's own oil).  Put
new filter.  Run the car for 200 miles or a week then drain.  Flush again?

Question 3.  What do I put in it next?  (assume some wear on the top
end).  Fully synthetic 0-40 Mobil 1, Shell does one at 5-40.  Semi
synthetic 10-40 (probably Castrol) or tell him to take it to the dealer? :-)

Question 135.  All but one of the services were by SAAB franchised
dealer(s).  The one that was not says they put synthetic oil.  I am kind
of aware of the debates about leaking seals on older cars when they are
filled with fully synthetic oil for the first time (assuming it has run
on semi-synthetic before).  Should I tell him to use fully synthetic?
(I personnel use semi on mine and change it twice a year with total
mileage less than 9k per year).

Any comments appreciated.

Regards
Charles

9000, 2.0 lpt, 1997, 103k miles.