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I really appreciate K.W.'s list of possibilities and Swedecar's advice. So the water leak, which only occurred during cool-down after driving, was the thermostat extension pipe. This is the part held in place by a bolt that screws into the head. During the first timing belt change (SAAB sponsored), Garry Small SAAB mechanic stripped the threads in the head and at the same time, installed the wrong spark plugs. I noticed it at the time that the bolt was loose as the black bracket was floppy loose. Possibly the flopping bracket cause the threads to strip over time? I will never know. The mechanic told me it would take a couple of hours for him to tighten it. I figured it would be OK to let it go but when I did the second belt, I made a point to tighten the bolt and it just spun. So now I find the double O-rings were just tired out and it didn't help that the extension pipe was allowed to move. After removing the extension pipe this time, I put on new O-rings and then bought a heli-coil kit. I drilled and tapped the head. No room for my drill so I turned the drill bit with a T-handle. Installed the heli-coil and was then able to snug the bolt. I discarded the black bracket with the hole in it - maybe used for lifting the engine with? Anyway, she's been running just short of a week and no noticeable coolant loss. I would have added at least a gallon by now if it was still leaking. So things are good. I think I need front sub-frame bushings but since getting rear-ended in my previous car in 2005 and 2006, my back is shot. Thanks again for the help. I may ask Atomic Auto here in Portland if they would take on subframe bushing replacements? Don't know how troublesome 2002 bushings even were?
posted by 73.180....
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