What do I look for when buying a Saab 93 Aero 2002

[freddiebrown]

Im going to look at one on 80,000 miles and looks tidy the only thing that worries me is its listed as having a head gasket change, should I be concerned about this?

[sgould]

Welcome!

The 2002 was one of the last of the old-shape 9-3's.  It will be running the Trionic 7 engine software with the black ignition cassette across the top of the engine.

There is a risk of bulkhead cracking on these cars, although more likely on a convertible.  You can check for this by turning the steering wheel while stationary.  If the brake and clutch pedals move you probably have a crack.

Lots of upgrades available for this model.  Common ones are a steering rack brace and an uprated rear anti-roll bar.

I wouldn't be too worried about a replaced head gasket, if it was done by someone reputable.

The risk on these engines is sludge blocking the oil strainer (not the oil filter) in the sump.  This starves the engine of oil and results in instant death of the bearings, maybe the pistons too.  It can be prevented by dropping the sump and cleaning the strainer, then fitting the latest mod to the crankcase vent system and running on fully synthetic oil from then on.

Otherwise just check that all the electric stuff works.

[Kev_Mc]

Welcome Freddie 

I'll move this to the 9-3 forum.

[AL900S]

Hi

Look for blue smoke on a cold start which indicates turbo oil seals. Everything else covered by sgould  My h/g went at 62k I think so good that the one you're looking at has been already replaced!

Al

[andy.h]

check the spare wheel well for rust as ive just had to have mine plated ,  as you've your head in the back , try & lift the side trim to the right as mine had started to rust bad along the seem where the boot floor meets the rear quarter panel

[freddiebrown]

thanks for all the replys, got it at the weekend and its well great!!! Main dealer history from new until 2010, £1000's spent on it new clutch, head gasket, exhaust etc...

electrics all work and its still really quick, steering racks fine and bulk head got repair by saab 10,000 miles ago.

Im having it up on the ramps in the garage tomorrow to get the rest checked out and getting the oil flushed and cleaned out to be replace by 0w40 Mobil 1 synthetic. Do I tell the mechanic about the strainer or will it be done as part of the oil change?. Is it worth buying the crankcase vent kit or will regular oil flush an changes prevent this?

thanks guys

Fred

[freddiebrown]

BTW the crankcase vent system says its not for 93 Sports models so i assume that will be my Aero

[phoenix]

Dropping the sump and cleaning the strainer will need to be asked for and should be around two hours labour.

It's still worth fitting the latest crankcase vent kit and no, your Aero is not a 9-3 Sport Saloon.

[Max Headroom]

Regarding the firewall or bulkhead cracks problem, what models/years does this extend to?

Although aware of the preventative cure and how to carry it out, mine is a 2006 93 Convertible and I was wondering if the problem could manifest itself on mine later - or is it just the pre 2003 variants?

[sgould]

It's only on the older "Classic" 9-3 up to 2002 (2003 for the convertible).  The current 9-3 Sport Saloon has no parts in common with the earlier one.

[Max Headroom]

Many thanks for that info Sgould - appreciated