balance / timing chain gear out of sync

[Agent Orange]

Right, hope you're all sat down - problem is the inlet valves have corroded and started to withdraw into valve seats.
Full strip down of head, new valves, guides, springs,  re-machine valve seats, lap and put back together.

We think whoever had the car for the first 60k has been running on low octane (cheaper) fuel and long motorway journeys have damaged the valves so they don't seat properly, compounding the problem.

Sent a strong letter to Saab as the warranty only expired in November !!!

Get car back in a couple of weeks.

[Audax]

That's crazy, never heard of it happening before but it does point to poor maintenance or something else that is suspect. Doubt Saab will care all that much given they went bankrupt ;) and it looks likely that if it was an issue caused by an owner why would they contribute? I doubt it was down to cheaper fuel as I know of several highish mileage (c. 180k) cars that have never had the engine apart so maybe the owner liked to put some kind of additive in that caused problems?

[Agent Orange]

Car back and running ok. Problem sourced to low octane fuel, higher temps and valve deteriorating and making it's way up into head. Full rework, New seats, inlet valves relapping inlet and exhaust etc.
Never seen this before - expensive lesson learned.

[AL900S]

Jeez -  :o Glad you got it sorted though.

Al

[Agent Orange]

Just given it a good valet - fallen back in love with it again.
Thanks all.