Thick sludge in overflow and car making noise by belts

Asked by Margaret Sep 25, 2018 at 01:36 PM about the 2001 Saab 9-5 SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hello and my Sabb has sludge in the overflow, it is a yellowish color and has
an oily feel to it.  There is also noise coming from the belt area, we had the
serpentine belt changed out last year.  Just last week we had the top radiator
hose blow and changed it out and then another hose blew and changed it
out.  Does anyone know why the sludge is there and what the noise could
be, as it can get louder?  Thank you and the car has a little over 170,000
miles on it. I have a picture of the cap with the sludge and i do have a video
of the noise but don't know how to download it here.

F_O_R answered 5 years ago

Bad news. Do the math as I doubt this old car is worth fixing. A new engine will probably cost more than the car would be worth running.

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