Date: Thu, 07 May 1998 17:15:04 +0100 From: "Tim Ricketts ,Wales, UK ." <rickettsnopsamil.com> Subject: Re: question about repairs
Trevor Pearson (fmr. T-Man) wrote: > > guys, > > thought I'd share an anecdote with you and get your opinion on the > problem. The other day, my 1980 SAAB 900 began to come dangerously close > to overheating, when I turned on the heater, i could not get hot air to > come out, so the engine wouldn't cool down. I took it to a local import > mechanic, thinking that it might be the thermostat. Yesterday afternoon > they called saying that indeed was the case, and I authorized the repair. > today they called and said that there was a leak due to a faulty head > gasket, and want to replace the head gasket and have the head machined. > New total, about $800. > > My question is this: is this a common occurence when cars overheat? The > head is somehow part of the cooling system? Sorry, I'm not so wise about > engines, so I'm skeptical of this diagnosis. The mechanic also raved > about the durability of a SAAB head, saying that 98% of the time, the head > was fine and not cracked. If I do have a cracked head, what are my > options? > > Thanks, > > Trevor > > Yes,your mechanic is probably correct.If it got hot and the heater didn't work it means that the coolant level was very low and the head would have been starved of water.These early saabs did warp their heads easily(good for trekkies!)and will need a machine to skim them flat. Make sure you run it on 50% antifreeze solution all the time,and use a high quality antifreeze.Tim.
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