What I Did To My Saab Today.

[Audax]

Water/oil leaks - head gasket?

I'd say that's not so likely to be HG, have you checked the pcv valve? all older 9-5's will leak some oil to a certain degree. I'd also guess that some water leakage is to be expected from work rad hoses and the heater bypass etc. etc. mine needs a top up of water every so often (and has done for the past 2 years) and is currently leaking oil everywhere after the pcv valve failed but hopefully that issue is clearing up a bit, mine is still young compared to yours with only just under 160,000 on the clock

[sgould]

The most common point for a water leak is the bypass valve behind the engine.  The black plastic one with the three heater pies and the small thin rubber tube.  It's been dropped on the later cars.

It's a standard Vectra part if you need one.  Often called the "starship enterprise valve".  Being in the hot area,small leaks dry up quickly.  But a fondle underneath when cold often finds dampness.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

Being in the hot area,small leaks dry up quickly.  But a fondle underneath when cold often finds dampness.

As Eric Morecambe would have said "There's no answer to that!" 

[sgould]

This afternoon was quite warm here with no wind.  So I went out and put new pads in the front brakes and took the opportunity to put on the winter tyres.

Pads are Mintex 1144.  Half the price of the Ferodo.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

Pads are Mintex 1144.  Half the price of the Ferodo.

Where did you get your pads from Will? Having done some research, I wanted to fit a set of those but couldn't find anyone who could supply them. One supplier said they might be able to get hold of them within 2 or 3 weeks, but having left it a little late I couldn't wait in case they never turned up.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

Water/oil leaks - head gasket?

I'd say that's not so likely to be HG, have you checked the pcv valve? all older 9-5's will leak some oil to a certain degree.

I'm not too worried about a relatively minor loss of oil & water, just a little annoyed that the car was dry for so long. I'll follow up Will's suggestion re the bypass valve.

Still considering whether to go for rebuilt calipers to fix the problem with the rear pads. Have found I can get them locally for €105 each, so not too bad.

[Audax]

I'm not too worried about a relatively minor loss of oil & water, just a little annoyed that the car was dry for so long. I'll follow up Will's suggestion re the bypass valve.

Still considering whether to go for rebuilt calipers to fix the problem with the rear pads. Have found I can get them locally for €105 each, so not too bad.

Bypass valve is also likely, for callipers I'd try cleaning them up and winding them back. Usually they will come back to life although yours has done a long service so maybe replacements would be a good idea.

[sgould]

I got the brake pads from  www.camskill.co.uk

These are the ones for the 345mm Hirsch brakes.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m33b0s3395p27733/Mintex_Performance_Brake_Pads_Mintex_M1144_-_MDB2749M1144_-_Mintex_Racing_Brake_Pads_


Here's a link to the Mintex online catalogue

http://www.brakebook.com/bb/mintex/en_DE/PKW/99/3591_Series/applicationSearch.xhtml

[sgould]

Had a quick look at Camskill, they only seem to list standard pads for the 9-5 with 308mm brakes.

[sgould]

Today I finished off yesterday's work by cleaning up the summer wheels and tyres.  Putting the best one in the boot as a full size spare wheel and taking the other three to the store.  Then I did all the pressures and put the Tyrepal pressure monitoring system on the winter wheels.

Soon I hope my wooden shed will be empty enough so I can demolish it.

[mikeloadsasaabs]

I'm not too worried about a relatively minor loss of oil & water, just a little annoyed that the car was dry for so long. I'll follow up Will's suggestion re the bypass valve.

Still considering whether to go for rebuilt calipers to fix the problem with the rear pads. Have found I can get them locally for €105 each, so not too bad.

Bypass valve is also likely, for callipers I'd try cleaning them up and winding them back. Usually they will come back to life although yours has done a long service so maybe replacements would be a good idea.

Went to the garage today and explained the problem. Seems that in the countryside around here this sort of problem with the rear calipers  is common. They're going to take a look and advise. As we only have the one car, and it's not really very convenient to tackle the job myself, I have reluctantly decided to let them sort it out  "reluctantly" not because I don't trust them, but because I resent spending the money on something I could do   

Can't believe also that brake pads are not held in stock at the nearest Saab dealer, seems they have to order them. Luckily, I pushed them them to find some more quickly, they have managed to locate some at a price much reduced from the list price that they originally wanted - €65 vs. €105 

[ScarbSaab]

Yesterday had too much on to post, but I fitted new Xenon bulbs and polished the lenses! Followed WIS in removing the headlamps, and I don't see how the garage could have made such a mess on Norfolk Jim's car.  It's not difficult, and providing you site the bulb between the fingers of the 'fly trap' they all make contact! The biggest headache was the length of free cable on the left hand lens meant I had to unplug it before I could get the bulb clear, then hold the new bulb above the fly trap whilst I plugged it in again.

By putting things back on the marks (a bit of dirt helps!) everything went back together neatly. I now have bright lights up front, much brighter and bluer than the old bulbs which had started to flicker, and no frosted patches to reduce the transmission.

Having read up on UV protection, tomorrow's task is to wash and wax the car then to wax the lenses, hopefully to reduce the rate of oxidation now that there is no UV coating remaining on them. (Not that I'm complaining on an 11 year old car.)

[StanleyB]

I took my wife' Hyundai to Two Strokes to Turbo a month or so ago for service and MOT, and they did this nitro cleaning thing on the engine. I was reasonably impressed with the results, so I asked them to do the same on my 9-3 when I took it in last week. Well, superlatives can't come close to describing the end result. My 9-3 picks up far quicker now and MPG has improved. It must be the 2nd best bang for bucks "upgrade" that I have done since I bought my first SAAB. Only my previous MBC upgrade was any cheaper. I don't know who else offers this nitro cleaning, but if there is somebody local to you that does, I recommend it unreservedly.

[collywobble]

Do you mean 'Carbonclean' in which they run the engine for 30 minutes after injecting nitrogen into the air inlet?  There is also a water based turbo cleaner called 'Revive' which is advertised in 'Diesel Car' magazine.

[StanleyB]

That's the one. I guess different providers call it different names, but the process is the same. I can't recommend it enough after having it done to two different cars.