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121,000 miles and going strong... Posted by MI-Roger [Email] (#882) [Profile/Gallery] (more from MI-Roger) on Wed, 20 Oct 2004 06:47:26 In Reply to: 9.5 maintenence, John V, Wed, 20 Oct 2004 04:56:36 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Saab's recommends a major maintenance program at 60,000 mile intervals. If done at the Dealership or other specialty Saab mechanic this work can cost $900. I have self performed this work twice on my car and it is nothing that a reasonably competent owner can't do themselves since it is primarily fuids and filters. The high cost at the Dealership is due to the time required to perform the work, not the complexity. D-I-Y kits with all parts and fuids can be obtained from Site Sponsors for under $300.
The 4-cylinder engine has a timing chain which can be considered maintenance free. The 6-cylinder engine has a timing belt which is replaced free by Saab at 60,000 miles. The timing belt tensioner should also be changed at the same time - this is paid for by the owner.
The 4-cylinder engine (and maybe the 6-cyl too) has an idler pulley associated with the serpentine (accessory drive) belt which should be replaced at 60,000 miles. Easy D-I-Y job and $40 part.
The Direct Ignition Cassette (or DI) is the most notorious failure point. If this fails everything stops. I replaced mine at 80,000 miles as a preventive measure only and carry the old one as a spare in the trunk. At one time we thought this was only a 4-cylinder issue (due to placement on engine) but 6-cylinder owners have been reporting failures too. The 6-cylinder engine has two of these so theoretically if one fails you can limp to a safe spot to await rescue. Ignition module failure is not unique to Saab, I have had it happen to me with two non-Saab vehicles.
You should change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles and use a quality synthetic oil. This will protect the turbo, and engine, from sludging. Clean and gap the plugs at 10,000 mile intervals (at under $2 each you may want to replace them at this interval) for best performance - Saab uses the plugs as an input sensor to the onboard computer.
I plan on driving my car 250,000 miles or more.
posted by 198.208.22...
_______________________________________ Saabs owned: 2008 9-5 Aero Sedan, sold at 227K miles 2006 9-3SC 2.0T - Wife's daily driver 2000 Viggen Convertible - Sold May, 2022 1964 Quantum IV Formula Car - Retirement project 2000 9-5lpt Sedan, sold at 318K miles
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