She's sprung a leak

[nine-fiver]

Seems I am losing coolant fairly rapidly. Thought it was the cap. Put on a new one. Still leaking. Luckily it is all over the road so it must be coming from somewhere basic, and it is not burning it, which is nice.

Only problem is, I can't see it at all. If it is coming out of the overflow pipe I would be surprised given the new cap. But it might be. No evidence of any pink fluid anywhere on the engine or engine bay.

Where do these engines typically leak?

[Audax]

I think they can leak from the water pump or water pump housing area. Not really a common problem on the 9-3.

[nine-fiver]

Thanks Audax. Figured that too. There is a hot coolant smell from the back of the engine I need to get to the bottom of. Need to start pulling bits off it, but I think it is coming from near the turbo.

[nine-fiver]

Coolant all over the sway bar on the driver's side. Looks like water pump I'm guessing.
Anyone got the WIS instructions for pulling it down? Not looking forward to it though from what I have heard.
Short cuts appreciated, if there are any to know. Pics too please.

Hayne's was ordered a last week but it is coming on the 'Endeavour', so it will be a while yet...Sorry.

[Audax]

I don't have time to post the details here now, maybe someone else will during the day but you do require a special tool to lock the balance shaft pinion into place...

I think it might be the same tool you can find on ebay UK as a "vauxhall water pump holding tool" but I'm not 100% certain. I'll check tonight if I remember!

[aerojon]

been on saab boards for 7yrs,i've never seen anyone do this job,because the pump is driven by the chains plus you need a tool to hold things in place..
need to loosen off the exhaust/turbo to gain access aswell..

[Audax]

I've done the job once, a long time ago... It involved following the instructions from WIS and swearing, I think you really need a ramp/lift of some kind along with the special tool.

[sgould]

See qttqchments

[nine-fiver]

Seems 9-3s leak from the water pump quite commonly, I have since found out. And given the crazy time of year and the complexity of the job, I am actually going to pay someone to do this one. Not my usual style, but there it is. Thanks for the instructions and suggestions too gents. Looks to be a 'Level 4' DIY job from what I can see. The mechanic who is doing it said it takes him 7 hours, so I can only imagine how long I would be.

[Audax]

7 hours! He likes taking his time then I guess if he does the job right that's the main thing. I recall the first one I did was 2 of us working on it and took us about 3 hours including printing out the instructions.

[nine-fiver]

Sounds long, for sure but on 'mate's rates' I'm not arguing.
Either way, I lose the car for a day but get to drive a loaner and my fingernails stay clean and my wallet is lighter.

[nine-fiver]

What I can't quite get my head around is the large amount of confusion on the Net regarding this job. So-called expert mechanics seem to think the 9-3 has a belt driven camshaft. Not good. All sort of wrong information seems to be out there. Even on SAAB sites.

But my local SAAB guy, dealer trained and all that, swears that the timing cover must come off to do the job properly. Not what one reads though.

Confused.

[aerojon]

the B207(petrol) turbo engine,waterpump is chain driven.the diesel and 1.8 N/A engine &  2.8 petrol is belt driven..

[Audax]

the B207(petrol) turbo engine,waterpump is chain driven.the diesel and 1.8 N/A engine &  2.8 petrol is belt driven..

Not quite, 2.8 petrol is chain driven. 

[Saabman]

the B207(petrol) turbo engine,waterpump is chain driven.the diesel and 1.8 N/A engine &  2.8 petrol is belt driven..

Not quite, 2.8 petrol is chain driven. 

The 2.8 engine may be chain driven but is the waterpump on the 2.8? or is it driven by the belt as I suspect aerojon implied