1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
This message was originally posted on the 9-3 but suggested to be reposted here. In particular I'm looking for anyone with knowledge of a Saab mechanic in the Great Falls, MT area.
Hello,
I was hoping someone might have a suggestion for me. I purchased a ’99 Viggen in S. Florida almost 3 years ago from a former poster in this forum. The engine had been recently rebuilt after spinning a bearing and came with a 1yr warranty for the entire engine. Seemed like a decent deal. Shortly after purchasing I experienced low-oil pressure issues as well as evidence that some very suspect things had been done to the car. The engine block was then replaced under warranty. During this time I found out that the engine may have been rebuilt (to what degree?) at least once before. I drove the car for 2-1/2 years after that adding minimal miles (maybe 25,000). During this time I dealt with a constant oil leak that I could not trace (somewhere from the head gasket area?) and chronic hesitation problems. The right thing to do would have been to bring it to a dealership to address the problems but admittedly money was running low. Although I did try replacing the DIC, plugs, wires and O2 sensor to fix the hesitation.
This summer I made a move from FL to Vancouver to start grad school and decided I would take my chances with my Viggen. After almost 3,000miles in northwest MT just outside Glacier National park I smelled smoke in the cabin. Pulled over, popped the hood and found what you see in the attached picture. The oil seems to have blown out of the oil cap. The headgasket has also gone and there must be ring damage that allowed pressure to get to the oil pan and blow the oil out of the fill cap.
I rented a car to get me the rest of the way to Vancouver to start classes in time. Meanwhile my car is parked at a local’s junkyard/garage in Cut Bank, MT. Owning this car has been a very negative experience for me. I chalk most of it up to the fact that I think the car had been abused before I purchased it. And, although I’m sure many on this forum will disagree, this engine seems to be prone to problems. Very few Viggens make it to 100kmis without any engine problems.
The car has 116kmis, interior is practically mint. Has the original wheels that are mechanically sound but the paint is chipped and scraped as would be expected with this mileage. I would be very hesitant to dump a lot of money into fixing the engine again just to go down the same road. I have a lot of money tied up into this car and would like to get something out of it. What are my options?
Tim
posted by 128.189.166...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
