1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I would keep running it...I have two '02 9-3's with almost 200K each. Here is what I would recommend knowing nothing of your car's history..starting with a 100K service per your book. I would also do this work..I did it myself but if you can't- ENSURE you find a good Saab mechanic to do the work or it won't get done correctly..
-If you have a 5spd...The book never says anything about manual transmission oil change, but change it and install Redline MTL 70W-80 synthetic oil if you can. Its about $15 a quart easy to find online, and both my cars shift like new since I changed from the Saab oil. Its cheap and I have had zero transmission issues. I change mine every 50K miles.
-Pull engine oil pan to inspect for oil sludge, especially if you have not been religious about oil changes and using synthetic oil!! Clean pan, oil pickup screen, reseal the pickup tube and crossover tube o-rings. Make sure you have the latest PCV (#6) installed. I think that still applies to the '99 version of the B205 engine? Put it back together and use full synthetic oil 5w-30 and change it every 5K miles. Engine will run forever. I ran Mobil 1 since day one and still had some slight sludge/varnish at 90K miles when I pulled the pan just out of curiosity. I did the PCV update, ran the same oil and just pulled it down again at 183K when the clutch failed for the first time. Engine looks perfect inside.
- I would change the coolant to the proper extended life coolant. All the engines in that vintage were prone to head gasket leaks or failures and that is another story you can research on this forum. I have re-torqued mine using new bolts and have had no problems. I do not know how familiar you are with the particulars of the 9-3 in that vintage, but here are the problems I have encountered.
-Direct Ignition failed at about 70K and was replaced under warranty in my case.
-Water pump failed at 130K-leaking.
-Fuel pump failed at 170K due to age
-Clutch center springs failed at 183K
-The manual heater control needs to be fixed as it won't blend vents properly (my next project).
That is pretty minor for 10 years of use and the high miles. I have done some other things as preventative measures, but they have been great cars. I plan to keep running them as I love the hatchback and don't care for the newer generation Saabs... I assume you have the red ignition assembly on your engine being a 99? Any other advice applies to the T-7 ignition used on the late 99-up engine.
As for the SID..I think you mentioned that...I just open the cup holder, wrap something soft around a small flat screwdriver/knife etc and work it around the SID and it will pop out. Send it to Pixels by Senesac in Richmond, VT. He does great work at a reasonable price on SID and ACC units.
posted by 24.9.201...
, Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:45:25
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