1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Definitely replace the t-stat and those upper radiator hoses. I have had problems with my fan fuse since buying the car from a dufus about a year ago and mine finally overheated about two months ago. Tight traffic, etc, like you I didn't notice until it was too late. Pulled off immediately as the upper rad hose let go.
I thought it was an engine fire at first, but it was just steam (phew!). Luckily, I was coming home from the junk yard and had all my tools with me in the car! I could see where the coolant was coming from and grabbed a portion of the split hose. A good-samaritan took me to Napa and I bought a new one and stuck it on. No problems since.
Process of things to check and fix: Trace the leaked coolant if you can back to where it came out. It could be a rad hose, or I've also had cracked reservoirs and AC pulleys that chew through the heater hoses that go through the top of the firewall. Also check the coolant line under the turbo - the metal one - I've had that come loose and leak coolant as well. Replace or tighten those as needed. Definitely replace the thermostat with a Saab OEM one from Eeuroparts. I have had Wahlers and other aftermarket ones go bad in less than 3 months before. Never had a problem with OEM Saab ones. While you are at it, replace the thermofan switch with a matching temperature to the t-stat. All pretty easy.
To check for permanant damage, just watch to see if white smoke comes out on startup (cylinder filling with coolant, expelling it as steam) - that would be a blown head gasket. Not the end of the world. But if you drove for a while with no coolant, chances are you warped the head. You can plane it flat again, but I would try to find a replacement instead if that's the case. Also a compression check would help you see that. You might even see coolant or oil seeping down from the point where the head meets the block (look under the exhaust manifold). If none of this happens and the car still runs smooth, you may have gotten away clean. I have overheated many times in c900s with no permanant damage.
Good luck!
, Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:36:22
, Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:05:05, Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:11:47, Fri, 25 Jan 2013 16:50:45
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