New 9000 acquisition

[phoenix]

The original plug spec is now 25 years old, and technology moves on!

The plus technology may have moved on, but the original DI design stays in place! The 9-5 can run equally well on either the original 9000 spec plugs or the newer platinum ones, the latter lasting longer. Some argue that it's actually cheaper to use the non-platinum and just change them more often.

In any case the key thing is the resistance characteristic of the plug. AIUI, the benefits of the "rarer" metal plugs is that with the tip more resistant to erosion, it can be made smaller which aids spark formation. The other thing which makes sparks easier to form is a smaller gap. 

[carrera]

The gaps on Saab plugs are much wider than other cars I am used to

As the 9000 is Trionic 5 I was nervous if the wasted spark detection via ionisation would be properly understood by T5 ECU, which is why I opted for original specification

I have always used the Aero spec plugs in the 9-5's and am familiar with the argument that you can fit the non Aero ones and simply change them more frequently. However, despite the long service interval, the plugs do seem to last extraordinarily well and when removed look like they could be put back in again without detriment

[Audax]

The Twin had Bosch Iridium in when I bought it. Without going into the reasons why I could see the misfire counts increasing, which was eliminated when I put some fresh PFR6H-10 in. Maybe it's a Bosch vs NGK thing

We used to make a decent amount of money from the local Bosch service centre, they were doing fixed price services on 9000's and 9-5's and undercutting us, after about 1000 miles the cars would develop a misfire and very often this would be accompanied by a CEL... The issue was Bosch plugs, replace them with the standard spec NGK and everything would be fixed.

[carrera]

So, today I did a quick service on the 9000. Talk about easy peasy work.

Plugs looked OK, but I put the new ones in anyway after regapping to 1.0mm from the 1.1 as supplied
Air filter was a bit dirty
Oil was very dark, Fram filter looked very dirty externally

After filling with oil she started, oil light went out and I swear the engine actually sounded smoother

Then we come to the cabin filter

In real life it's actually much worse than it looks here, thanks to the camera flash. I wonder how long this had been in service for?

 

[carrera]

Today I have mostly been working on the fuel gauge

Tried measuring the resistance at the pump, seemed a bit low at 61 ohms considering I had just put 20 litres in, so inserted some resitors giving 140 ohms to see if the gauge read differently

Well, it didn't so that took me to a dash top off & instrument cluster removal.

The wiring seemed sound, so I cleaned up the connectors and went to the back of the car again to remove the pump. The clamp was a bit tight, but it gave way eventually. As the temperature was not much above freezing I decided to use a heat gun to warm the plastic connectors. They didn't break, so i'll assume that worked 

It turned out that the float was simply tight and resisting any movement. Appliction of oil and contact cleaner in the right places allowed the pump to be replaced

Et voila, all was good, and Tech II said there was 23 litres in the tank.

I think it's sorted, but as the needle is pointing to the same 1/4 tank it has been for a week, I'll need to drive it or put more fuel in before I am 100% sure

Being stood for 12 years has caused this I guess


Having the dash top off allowed me to see that the car has non standard speakers fitted, which still suffer from foam failure and the dash top has been off before

[carrera]

Well, another 130 miles yesterday & I can confirm that the fuel gauge is now working correctly 

The fresh oil has already picked up quite a bit of colour, so the detegent properties are evidently working, I even used some brake cleaner to clean off accumulated residues on the dipsick. So nice to have a proper dipstick that is so easy to read

I picked up some fixings for the under dash trim, which will be utilised in due course. I also acquired an engine loom, so will be trying to get the laptop to read T5 ECU's when I have some time   

... and that's it for 2023.

SORN declared and she's tucked away in the dry, awaiting some warmer weather., having given her a blast off with the jetwash to remove the worst of the dirt and the ice & snow that had accumulated this afternoon

I've enjoyed being back in a 9000, roomier than the 9-5 I think

[sgould]

Interior size reduction is ongoing.  It's mostly due to the increase in requirements for crash protection, especially side impact.  Our 9-3 is a bit cramped inside compared with the 9-5, but it almost the same size as the 9-5 outside.  Virtually the same width and only 150mm shorter.

[Geoff1951]

Interior size reduction is ongoing.  It's mostly due to the increase in requirements for crash protection, especially side impact.  Our 9-3 is a bit cramped inside compared with the 9-5, but it almost the same size as the 9-5 outside.  Virtually the same width and only 150mm shorter.

 So true, Will.  I was perplexed by the visual and dimensional similarities and differences beween the 9-3 and 9-5 when I changed the former for the latter.  Externally the 9-3 looked much narrower than the 9-5 (to my eyes) but the brochures and a tape measure proved it wasn't that great a difference.  The five years or so later development of the 9-3SS bringing more (?) crash protection and narrower interior space.

[carrera]

You can combine that with pretty much non existent rear 3/4 visibility on modern cars, all for the NCAP test reports. The response to which is cameras...more tech to go wrong

[sgould]

It culminates in the combination of maintaining interior space and increasing crash protection, which results in behemoth 4x4s that can't get through the narrow entrance to their "gated community" and the wider "tradesmens' entrance" is now permanently open

[carrera]

Spot on 

No small cars in the future, because the mandatory tech (auto braking, lane detection etc) is so expensive, the cost recovery isn't possible on a small cheap car, so there won't be any

[phoenix]

Spot on 

No small cars in the future, because the mandatory tech (auto braking, lane detection etc) is so expensive, the cost recovery isn't possible on a small cheap car, so there won't be any

That's nothing compared to what EVs are going to do to the sub £1k second hand car market!

[Geoff1951]

That's nothing compared to what EVs are going to do to the sub £1k second hand car market!

In addition to the ever-worsening state of the roads.  Should be classed and taxed as HGVs. 

[carrera]

That's nothing compared to what EVs are going to do to the sub £1k second hand car market!

Already happening, can't even pick up a 9-5 needing a bit of mechanical work for a few hundred quid any more 

We will, I am sure turn into motoring Cuba as people reject the alternatives and select for greater utility, value and ease of maintenance. Car lifetimes are going to become extended. I'm doing my bit 

[sgould]

There's another nail coming in the EV coffin.  Some electricity suppliers are increasing the standing charge by £1000 if you have a charging point installed.   I think (hope...) this is just for providing a high capacity point and not a 13 amp supply...