Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2000 03:03:29 GMT From: "ask the mastertech" <protechnopsamath.net> Subject: Re: Valve Job Advice - Diagnosis
THis job is a little time consuming but you can do it! Head gaskets are notorious for going bad between cylinders 2 and 3 and with your compression reading and the am smoke. There is your problem. You can purchase everything you need cheaper than anywhere at www.thesaabsite.com and I will even help you when you run into problems with the project. Ask the Mastertech! "Jim Harrison" <jlharrisonnopsamspring.com> wrote in message news:0ozX4.3582$pL.138878nopsamread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net... > I am an old Saab enthusiast recently returning to the fold. I've had a > 1964, 1969 (96), 1971 (96) and a 1973 (97, Sonnet). I recently bought an 88 > 900T with 148,000 miles, Compression is 150, 125, 120 155. I haven't yet > receive the Benchley manual I ordered and have no idea what the specs call > for. The car billows blue smoke for the first ten minutes and then burns > none once warm. It is not using anti-freeze or oil in significant > quantities. No oil in water or water in oil. I had two opinions as the oil > problem. One said head gasket the other said turbo seals. I would like to > make the car reliable. > > Can anyone tell me what's the problem? > > I am a weekend mechanic and have a good machine shop nearby. If it is the > turbo: > > 1. How big a job is it to pull the turbo? (I've got a turbo rebuilder one > town over, so I can get the job done inexpensively if I pull it myself.) and > 2. Is it still worthwhile to pull the head and scrape excess carbon and lap > the valves before it gets worse? > > If it's the head, I am considering doing the head removal and replacement > and letting the machine shop grind or lap valves, check/plane the head > surface. > > 1. Should I tackle the removal and replacement myself? > 2. Do I need any special tools? > 3. How long should it take me? > 4. What should the machine shop charges cost me? > > My thanks in advance for your advice. > > Jim Harrison > jharrisonnopsampp.com > >