Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 19:49:46 -0800 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: Timing/Cam Belt 1985 90
njahnopsamejanews.com wrote: > > That may be generally true but Turbo cars or engines that have been revved > hard may wear the chain much faster. I recently replaced the timing chain in > my 900T16 at 138,000 miles. It was pretty noisy and the piece of mind was > worth it alone. My SAAbtech was actually surprised that it hadn't been done > already. In a nutshell if you can hear the timing chain rattling about > replace it. If it can't be heard then don't bother. You should not have to replace the chain that early. My '85 900T has 190,000 on it and no sign of chain rattle. My '88 9000T has 215,000 miles and runs like a dream. You must be sure to keep the oil in good shape and be sure the tensioner and guides are not worn out... if the tensioner wears or the guides fail, you'll get chain rattle and, gone unchecked, will ultimately damage the chain. Saab updated the timing chain tensioner in 1990 or something like that, and all earlier 16v cars should have their existing tensioner updated to the new style. But, you should *never* have to replace a chain before 200k unless the car has been poorly maintained or something else is wrong, such as a blocked oil passage. -Justin P.S. In this specific case, the poster has a Saab 90, with an 8v engine, which has dual (two) timing chains... there is virtually nothing you can do to this 110hp car to cause the chains to wear... they'll outlive the engine.
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