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Hard start when hot AND decreasing mpg: solved Posted by John Fitzgerald [Email]  (#77)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from John Fitzgerald) on Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:09:18
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Thanks once again to the archives. Two different problems on two different 9000's: '97 Aero and '98 CSE.
The CSE ran great, good mpg for an automatic, etc until outside air temp became hotter than mid to upper 70's F. Then, when the engine was hot and it was parked for more than 20 minutes, it began taking longer and longer to start. Cranking rpm the same, new battery, good charging system ... and it would always finally start. Like vapor lock, some of you are thinking. Well, you are right. The fuel pressure regulator, the little circular fitting on the alternator side top portion of the fuel rail, with a simple clamp holding it in place (love the five minute repair jobs) was apparently not holding residual pressure in the heat, and the fuel pump had to re pressurize the manifold on hot starts.
Interestingly, a hot engine alone did not trigger this behavior. Ambient air temps needed to be high enough; same day driving in the evening in slightly cooler conditions showed no problems. Likewise, shutting the engine off in high temps for five to ten minutes, no hesitation.
And now, the mpg mystery. The Aero had shown a drop in mpg last winter, more than usual, as I keep pretty detailed logs on fuel, etc. probably too detailed. Anyway, I checked the usual suspects: dragging brake, tire pressure, dirty injectors, stuck PCV, dirty throttle body, all to no avail. Checked the K & N air filter to see if some little rodent decided to move in - all clear. Replaced both coolant temp senders as part of a cooling system overhaul, wondering if a low temp signal made the mixture too rich. No dice.
When spring came, mpgs were still down by at least 10% over the previous year. Same driving, same drivers, same tires ... so I replaced the fuel pressure regulator (mainly because I found Bosch regulators for $21 at a non-Saabnet advertising site ... sorry eEuro, $70+ was just too high).
Anyway, replaced the FPR on the Aero and mileage is back. Power is better, too. The car had developed a little "flat spot" between 2250 and 2500 rpm over the past year - gone.
Hope this helps someone restore performance and keep another 9000 running for more miles.
John
Burlington, Wisc
'73 96 RHD sold after four years in Middle Barton, Oxfordshire, UK
'80 99 sold after 20 years/192,000mi
'86 9kT sold after 12 years/approx 121,000 mi
'87 9kT sold after 9 years/approx 174,000 mi
'97 CSE given to my son after 8 years @ 245k; he sold it at 254k mi
still driving:
'97 Aero 241,xxx mi
'98 CSE 192,xxx mi 'project car' for winter & for my daughters to drive
and a couple of 'non-Saabs':
'01 Suburban 140,xxx mi
'03 BMW 330 Cic 53,xxx mi
_______________________________________ John Burlington, Wisc '73 96 RHD sold after four years in Middle Barton, Oxfordshire, UK '80 99 bought new, sold after 20 years/192,000mi '86 9kT picked up at Trollhatten, sold after 12 years/approx 121,000 mi '87 9kT sold after 9 years/approx 174,000 mi '94 CSE given to my son after 8 years @ 245k; he sold it at 254k mi '95 Aero 146,xxx mi sold '98 CSE 248,xxx mi gave it away '97 Aero 317,xxx mi my daughter’s school car … gave away [we put 300k mi on it] still driving: '97 CSE 170xxx mi 'project car' for myself and my daughters to drive '07 9-3 2.0T 240xxx '08 9-5 191xxx mi my wife's daily driver and a couple of 'non-Saabs': '01 Suburban 201,xxx mi '03 BMW 330 Cic 84,xxx mi '14 Mercedes E350 103,xxx mi
, Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:09:18 <-- Viewing This Message, Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:03:09
, Sun, 4 Aug 2013 18:54:11
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