1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
I've been on and off here (9000 bb) for about 3 years gaining knowledge and absorbing useful information. I've saved money and spent money because of this board and stories I've read.
I bought my '91 Turbo 3 years ago with 85k miles, after a love/hate relationship with an '88 900S that lasted a bit over 2 years, and really enjoyed driving and working on it. I did the brakes, cooling system including heater core, SRS brain and just a few odds and ends during the first 2 years. I then replaced the stock exhaust with a full JT system and Catco convertor. Just last July/August I experienced an Erikkson tranny with clutch/slave replacement to the tune of about $2500 followed shortly by a new windshield. I thought I'd get another 50-100k out of it that's why I justified the cost. After all it only had 128k at the time.
Just two weeks ago I found myself stranded, on my way to work-of course, with no oil pressure (no light came on either-but it does work), VERY loud valve/chain clatter and temp guage that I could watch working it's way up. This all happened in the matter of 200 yards at speed of about 45-50 mph preceeded by only a bit of hesitation, a slight sound of leaking exhaust and a bit of muffled popping/backfiring. That went on for maybe a half mile before the real noise started.
The car went by flatbed to the indy who did the tranny work. He found zero oil pressure and no oil whatsoever up top. The valve/cam area was bone dry as was the timing chain/sprockets. He assumed the oil pump, but was not convinced. He checked the relief valve, it looked good but found it hung up or something, forced a bit of oil in there to prime the pump and as luck would have it, I had oil pressure back to normal. It quieted down quite a bit but there is still a loud valve-ish noise and the turbo doesn't sound right, no whirring-hissing-whooshing, just rattling, but it still does boost. I'm afraid there is some turbo damage and possible other engine damage, extent of which is unknown save a teardown. I get blue smoke out the tailpipe periodically, the cabin is always smelling of burning oil, and when revving under the hood manually, I get a puff of blue smoke from the exhaust manifold/turbo area. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, need something reliable for 75 mile round trip commute to work and cannot be forced to having only one working car.
The 9000 is in otherwise very nice condition with just a few spots of rust on the rear quarters that started in the last year.
Do I-
a) drive it till it dies completely?
b) stick more money in it than it's worth to fix it?
c) trade it in?
d) sell it for parts or fix? (I'd rather not part it myself)
e) buy something else and give it to a charitable org as a tax deduction?
Thanks for any and all constructive input.
Shahn
'91 9kt
5 speed
137k miles
Talladega Red/Black leather
The tears are welling up...
:0(
posted by 64.136.26...
, Sat, 6 Mar 2004 07:53:43
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
