The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 4/9 Saab Owners' Convention Day Pass Raffle | 3/26 M Car Covers (by State of Nine)

The Saab Network Mailing List FAQ
Search:

Main Index
[ Prev by Date ] [ Next by Date ] Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
Re: Turbo Headgasket Decision
Posted by saab_900 - http://saabnet.com/tsn/forms/e.php3?em= (more from saab_900 - http://saabnet.com/tsn/forms/e.php3?em=) on Thu, 15 Jan 2004 10:16:20
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

1) Assuming no external leaks (none found; hoses in good condition is
headgasket only other (likely) problem area?
--
Check if the block under the exhaust manifold is wet. Usually after
driving heat will boil it off, check after it's been sitting awhile.
Does any white smoke (steam) or smell (sweet) come from the tailpipe,
mostly on a cold start?

2) Estimated cost to repair and recommended other work to be done while
head off?
--
A LOT. I recommend you buy the 91$ OEM Elring / Saab gasket set and a
set of head bolts, as well as a new timing chain set from Saab. Timing
chain is supposed to be replaced every 250,000km - 150,000mi, if it has
well, disregard that. Install it yourself. It is simple, but if you take
to a mechanic (loser way out) you may end up paying $$$$$$$$ instead of
$$$$ and coming back with the car in worse shape than before (few know
their way around a classic 900). 

3) Best diagnostic approach to confirm head gasket problem?
--
Check compression. Notice any power loss? Take off head and replace
gasket, if prob goes away you fixed it! Also check the color/consistency
of the motor oil.

PS I had noticed slight Moisture/steam leaking at manifold/turbo  gasket
until warmed up...don't know if this is/was an early warning sign/

Maybe water-cooling jacket of turbo is leaking?

Any advice/suggestions most appreciated. It has been a great
car...purchased 3 years again and no problems to date...
--
Enjoy, but you better learn your way around a wrench!
---
Well My 900 has nt had this problem My wifes 9000t (89) did adn is
basically the same engine.

Here is what I found when I finally determined it was the head g.  Small
very small stream of coolant coming from above #4 cyl. unless you saw it
right after shut down it was invisable. tried to retorque the head no go.

SO;

new head gasket, new style suposedly stronger, 
had head milled, actually only machined to take off high spots
all new motor mounts, lots of stuff out of way so easier
new turbo oiler line, old leaked slightyl
full valve job, they said not needed but cheap after head out
replace all wear items more accessibel at this point
my cost for all was about 1200.00 us

I can get the head gasket only done for about $500.00 locally.

Now you assume head gasket, I always assume something else.

can you see any pudles in the parking area that can be related to a
specific location, my 900 usually looses coolant from a water pump,
slowely at first then more quickly as it 'ripens'. 

you can check headgasket but with this many miles hard to do as a
leakdown test may also be because of rings. If you have a trusted
mechanic and they can clean the engine area very well they can put
florecing (sp) dyes in the h2o run to temp and then use an ultraviolet
light to see what glows where...  I have also seen leaks in the radiator
that evaporate so quickly you cant figure it out. You say 8 oz per 100
mi, city miles over two weeks or highway over 90 minutes?
anyway things I would check, h2o pump, radiator,  hose connections, mist
on windshield (heater core) you may also notice a smell in the cabin or
moisture above gas pedel without mist.

You may have to clean the area then bring to operating temp shut off and
go pokeing about for five minutes or so wheil pressure is highest.   
==================
The Saab Network - On the Internet Since 1988!
http://www.saabnet.com/
saabno39sdcx6spamx782saabnet.com

Posts in this Thread:
StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]

This is a moderated FAQ - Posting is a privilege, not a right. Unsolicited commercial postings are not allowed (no Spam). Please, no For Sale or Wanted postings, SERIOUSLY. Classifieds are to be listed in The Saab Network Classifieds pages. This is a problem solving forum for over 250,000 Saab owners, so expect to see problems discussed here even though our cars are generally very reliable. This is not an anything goes type of forum. TSN has been a moderated forum since 1988. For usage guidelines, see the TSN Mission and Purpose Page. Please remember that you are not anonymous
Your address is: 18.119.159.150 - Using Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) - Logged.
Site Members do not see red text instructions, green links, and bottom of the page banners.
Click here to see all the Site Membership Benefits!