Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 16:49:16 +0100 From: "Andy Evans" <arts.psychologynopsamm.net> Subject: Re: Info please - Saab 900T16V S 1989
From my own experience - take a torch and look under the car. Look for oil anywhere round the engine. Get the owner to drive you round in it, and listen for any unusual noises. When the car is parked after the drive, look under it for drips - preferably leave 15 minutes elapse, then look. My recently bought car was dripping oil from the turbo - badly fitted, power steering fluid from the rack (squeeze the gaiters and see if any escapes), coolant from the reservoir which needed a new cap, and the odd coolant drip from around the thermostat, as well as oil from behind the engine, needing a new seal. How I didn't see all this when I bought it I don't know - well, it was night and I didn't have a torch, and I didn't wait 15m. So be warned. My bill was £600 within days of buying (included a new clutch). Drips are a pretty obvious indication of what is going wrong, and so are noises while driving - I don't know exactly how to noise-faultfind, but it includes buzzing from the fuel pump, rumbling from shot wheel bearings, noises from the gearbox and uneven turnover indicating head gasket going. Good luck! (I needed it... and still do)