Jan,

If your timing is WAY off the thing will NOT hit a lick. I have been there several times as I advised you earlier.

CHEN here is on to something however. If valve timing is reasonable, you will have air/fuel compression. The suggestion of a compression test is a very good one. Can you borrow someones gage & do the test? I think the Super auto parts places rent these? If your timing chain is broken or slipped you will get wildly varying data indicative of a major mechanical failure.

Last tip. If your ignition timing is WAY off via loose distributor, the car will not hit a lick either, only toast starters (I have done this one also). Here is an old timey trick called "cold timing" I learned from Hot Rod magazine. This is how you time a car close enough to make it run so you can fire it up & time it w/light later.

Remove valve cover. Turn engine by hand somehow until intake valves on #1 cylinder open and close. At this point #1 piston is coming up for compression stroke & ignition. Keep engine turning in correct direction until you see the 14/16 degree timing mark in the flywheel access hole. Now with engine in #1 firing position, turn ignition to ON position. Take the plug you removed from #1 cylinder (turns easier if ALL plugs are out) connect it to #1 plug wire, and turn distributor slowly until the plug FIRES; just set plug on a ground and you will see/hear it spark. You now have statically timed the #1 cyl. & ignition. Tighten distributor clamp, recheck to make sure it did not move, and reassemble all & crank that sucker up!

Last suggestion. Look at the TOwnsend site, under FAQ's and the "900 will not start" listing. THis guy is I guess a seasoned veteran, and has probably seen all things SAAB by now.

Good luck, hope it runs before Christmas!

DET

• Help! Are Saab engines interference type engines? 88t (long), Jan Hammer, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 13:10:00
  • Re: Help! Are Saab engines interference type engines? 88t (long), Yaofeng Chen, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 15:38:13
    • No. I hope I won't have to. No fluid leaks, all levels OK., jan Hammer, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 16:03:11
  • Yes, but, Ari , Thu, 21 Dec 2000 14:32:10
    • OK. I check with a dowel. I checked the injector pulse,, Jan Hammer, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 15:59:21
      • Re: OK. I check with a dowel. I checked the injector pulse,, DET, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 21:25:39 <-- Viewing This Message
        • Great test! I'll try it today., Jan Hammer, Fri, 22 Dec 2000 11:58:23
  • Yes, JohnB, Thu, 21 Dec 2000 13:59:37

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