1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
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So I got the engine put back together after replacing the head gasket. The head had apparently warped, thus causing two valves to stick, thus the bad compression. New gaskets everywhere, new rubber fittings everywhere, new belts, etc. I try to start the car, nothing, just the engine turning over. So I try it again for a few seconds, nothing still. Then I notice the smoke coming from under the hood. Then I see orange light. Well, first thing that came to my mind was "Get out of the car!" Luckily, there is a family-owned restaurant next door with a couple of exstinguishers handy. Well, after a few noisy and smoke filled minutes, (Probably only took seconds, it happened so fast) I am left with an engine compartment that is fairly charred. Actually, its not as bad as I thought it might have been. Most burned is the bundle of wires that hooks up to the injectors, the AMM, and a couple of other things. I believe the insulation inside that had gotten brittle and cracked during the operation, and when I tried to start the car it caught it on fire, then it must have hit the fuel line, burned through that and then sprayed burning fuel all over the bottom of the hood, causing the damage around the edges of the engine. I suppose it IS possible to replace all the burnt parts with parts from a salvage yard donor, along with having to splice a new wiring harness for the injectors. The tops of the injectors were melted too. There is probably more damage under the intake, i'm sure the fire started there. Maybe there was a fuel leak, and the starter lit the fumes which lit the leak which then burned the wiring harness. Its hard to tell, theres so much stuff just melted into a big blob.
It was definantly a learning experience for me, and I am thankful nobody was hurt. Now what should I do with this beautiful Saab? From the outside shes still the same, but once you open the hood...close your eyes. I will either sell it for parts, attempt to get it running again then take it to the auctions, or just junk it.
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