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Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 19:38:41 +0200
From: "Andy" <101366.212nopsamuserve.com>
Subject: Re: Newbie Question


Stewart Black wrote in message <361926BE.F0D64C91nopsamrprise.net>... >Hi, >I'm new to Saabs, having admired from afar in the past. Now looking at a 97 9000 CD 2L with 12,000 miles (from a Saab dealer). >Any common problems I should be looking for? >Is there a FAQ for this NG? >Thanks >Stewart Hi Stewart, well here is what I think of saabs: I bought my SAAB 9000CS in Göteborg. It was new. Every 20.000 km I had it checked and always only by authorised SAAB garages in the Netherlands and in Germany. I drove almost all its mileage long-distance with speeds between 100 - 160 km/h on smooth motorways in Germany and in Netherlands and I can say I have taken a good care of my car. Therefore, I was shocked when one day, driving on a motor way in Germany, suddenly at a speed of approx. 160 km/h within a few hundred meters a terrible metallic noise developed in the engine. I stopped the car immediately, called the nearest SAAB service and had my car towed for an inspection. The crankshaft and its bearing failed. Just a day before I had my car serviced at a SAAB garage in Rotterdam. Once the defective engine of my car had been disassembled I had the crankshaft inspected to find the reason of this premature failure. And indeed...! Major grinding burns(*) were revealed on the journals. With this type of a defect it is surprising that my car lasted three years and as much as 160.000 km. The garage and the lab that inspected my crankshaft explained it was Evident that this failure of the engine in my car was clearly a result of a Serious fault in manufacturing. With this ruling I contacted the customer department of SAAB in Trolhatan. And then, here comes the major reason for my disappointment. Ms. Johnson, responsible for all customer contacts, bluntly pointed out to me that my car was by then three years old and thus out of the warranty. She did not think SAAB could account for a car as old as three years!!! One-year guarantee was long enough and if after this it should appear that the car and the engine were put together by glue and paper clips it was all at the buyer’s risk. So, I had the engine fixed. Had to pay a fortune, almost a price of a new engine. Now I am desperately looking for a buyer for my car. I want to get rid of it and get something reliable. I’m contemplating a Volvo. Meanwhile I have learned that Volvo uses a state of the art inspection method to inspect all critical engine components for manufacturing defects such as grinding burns(*). So, how are your SAABs doing? Have you had any similar experiences? Please let me know. Andy S. Wojtas (*) A grinding burn is what happens to an engine part during surface finishing i.e. grinding if the part is allowed to overheat. Just like when you sharpen a knife and press it too hard against a grinding wheel. You’ll see it turn red hot and right in that place the knife will lose its hardness, so vital for its endurance. From Newsgroups: alt.autos.saab Message text written by thmagazinenopsamdnet.att.net I can sympathize. My '89 900 was delivered with a major hesitation problem that took 3 months to repair. It turned out to be a bad AIC valve, and a bad replacement. Both front and rear callipers had to be replaced under warranty, the front ones, twice. The fuel pump failed just out of warranty although Saab USA and the dealer paid half of the cost. The right front drive shaft also failed just out of warranty and again Saab paid half. The Air Conditioning compressor failed at about 150,000 km, the power door locks at 120,000. At 200,000 km, the timing chain failed, causing 9 valves to be destroyed and requiring a major rebuild. Strange, but the exhaust system (140,000 km), brake pads (front 100,000km, rear 129,000 km), belts, and other normal replacement items, lasted an unusually long time compared to other cars, I have owned. And the 8 ½ year old body was nearly perfect -- only a few small specs of rust in places that are not normally visible. I donated the car to charity and bought a Subaru Forester. I still own another 900, but between 100,000 and 160,000 km, it is requiring a repair a month at very high cost (fuel pump, turbo rebuild, leaking radiator, leaking transmission gasket, leaking power steering rack, bad turbo bypass valve, bad check valve, failed sunroof motor gears (requires replacing the entire motor assembly since gears are not sold separately), defective seat belt retractor, clutch master cylinder, shifter bushings, heater valve, driver's seat track, and more. It will be sold soon. Prior to my new purchase, I have driven only Saabs (I have owned 4 of them) for 20 years. I won't buy another until I am convinced that quality has improved Message text written by INTERNET:kenwashnopsam.net Andy, You were going on about this a couple of months ago. No matter how good a manufacturer is, or how sophisticated the process and parts are, unfortunately, as the bumper sticker says, Shit Happens…. To Newsgroups: alt.autos.saab From: Andy <101366.212nopsamuserve.com> Ken, Yes, I told the story some time ago and just for those that might be considering buying a Saab this is my warning. Learn from my mistakes! You don't need to repeat them! Don't buy a Saab! Saabs endurance and longevity is a myth! So, in addition to all the other problems here's one more: Does your Saab also make a humming noise if you have to break abruptly at a high speed? On average, I have to install a new set of front break discs every year (!!!) The first (and only) time they did it for me under warranty. One of them, authorised, certified SAAB mechanics, pretended to be surprised that something like this had happened. Years later an other Saab mechanic told me, it was a common fault since they started installing new, asbestos-free break pads. The break discs tend to overheat and warp which then results in an awful noise and vibrations in the steering wheel. There are many more similar stories about my Saab 2.3 CS (obviously a Monday car). I don't want to bore all the readers. I just want to warn them. Now, as far as your comments to my letter, Ken, I think you must work for Saab and/or for Amsoil. Well, I have been using Shell - synthetic oil - The best there is. Believe me this was not the problem. I saw the component. I saw the report with the results of the analysis of my crankshaft. A grinding burn is a defect produced in the manufacturing and no oil will protect you from it. It is almost as if they'd put a totally unhardened shaft in my engine and you'd want me to drive 25 mph and change your Amsoil every 500 miles. Ken, this would not work! You also wrote "... No matter how good a manufacturer is, or how sophisticated the process and parts are, unfortunately, as the bumper sticker says, Shit Happens. ..." I don't disagree. There is however a big difference in how various manufacturers react to the news that they sold that "Shit" (your word) to their customer. A friend of mine had exactly the same problem with his Chevrolet. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and when they saw the component they gave him a new (!!!) engine. They were quite embarrassed by this and very apologetic. Saab could not care less. I was told that the warranty in Europe is only 1 year and that's it. No compensation, no cost sharing, nothing. So, if anyone out there is considering buying a Saab, wait! Think about it! Do you want a car with class, that you will show to your friends? A car that is unique, a rare model and a nice design? I did and now I regret. Or... do you want a car that you will also drive you from A to B and will not break down? A car that is reliable, a model that is developed with prior experience of millions of cars produced and sold? While Audi, VW, Volvo, BMW, sell well over a five millions each, Saab has just stopped manufacturing the 9000 after only 500 000 ever built. Good! It wasn't worth continuing. Andy, a sad owner of a '92 9000 CS 2.3 Regards, Andy

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