Some advice on Saab 95 1.9 tid

[Jennifer]

Hi,
Very new to this and desperately need some advice!

Proud owner of a Saab 95 1.9 tid! About 4 weeks ago the engine management light came on and went into limp mode. Took it straight to a local garage who charged me to replace the EGR valve! Less than 500 miles later the car is returned with exactly the same problem. This time I'm told the inlet manifold needs replacing! At the cost of another £300 the inlet manifold has been replaced. The car still hasn't left the garage as now I'm told the new EGR and inlet manifold hasn't rectified the problem and now I need a new particulate filter??.?.?

As you can appreciate I'm no mechanic but can't help feeling I'm being spun a yarn here. Just wanted some guidance from people who have a clue what these things are and if this sounds remotely possible!

Please help, I'm close to £1000 lighter in the pocket and a vehicle 4 weeks later that's not yet left the garage!

[sgould]

Welcome!

The only certain way of finding out what is wrong is to get the error codes read.  Has your garage told you what they are?

Some error codes are specific to Saab and are best read by a Saab specialist with Saab's own diagnostic computer called "Tech2".

Whereabouts are you?  Someone may be able to recommend a specialist.  There are a lot about.

But the 1.9 diesel is a widely used engine.  It is also used in Vauxhalls, Fiats, and Alfa Romeos.


The exhaust particulate filter can block if you don't do regular longer journeys.  But the "Tech2" can force the filter to clean itself.  It will only need renewing if this fails. 

[sgould]

I'll move this thread to the 9-5 workshop forum.

[Audax]

Hard to say, it could have needed those things but I'd be asking another garage for an opinion. manifold failure is easy to diagnose properly before replacement, EGR failure is not so easy but the fault codes for particulate filter are really clear so they should have known that a while ago. Are they Saab specialists or dealers?

[Jennifer]

Hi, thanks for reply.
Based near Cardiff but work in Bristol so do at least 80 miles a day.

The first diagnostic apparently detected the EGR fault! Second diagnostic was firstly the turbo but then changed to inlet manifold. Was taken to a local vauxhall dealer today who diagnosed the particulate filter?

Don't understand why all 3 faults didn't come up at the start, I'm totally ignorant on car mechanics so really want to have the conversation as I'm not convinced it all needed doing. I'd like to ask some pertinent questions but want to be fully informed before taking the car from the garage to somewhere else. Also concerned that I could be causing further damage but taking away in this state.

Any suggestions or information would be really appreciated. I didn't get any fault codes but will ask for them.

Thanks in advance.

[sgould]

I'm a long way from Bristol but there are a lot of Saabs and specialists down that way.

I bought my car from a long time Saab dealer Mark Arnold  He gets all his cars serviced at JP Autos.  I've not used them, but I believe that the guys used to work at the main dealer in Bristol.

There is also JamSaab out towards Keynsham.

There is a list here, but the people who appear seem to have paid for their entries, so I don't know the provenance. 

http://the-saab-specialist-register.com

And of course, the Saab Approved Service Centres administered by Saab Parts UK.

http://www.saabparts.com/en-gb/uk/the-company/authorised-repairer/service-centre/


There are also specialists in Cardiff, but I know little about them.

[jmblack]

If. It is your DPF I've had this block twice in 70k in my 1.9 requiring £100 regen at dealer.  This is despite daily round trip at 70 on the motorway of 80 miles. As cruising in fifth it did not regen.  I had it removed and ecu reprogrammed to ignore it as well as the egr valve. Commonly done on fiats and alfas with same engine. Gone nearky 20k now and no issues, with a little more low rev responsiveness.

Got it done by angel tuning but others do it too. A lot cheaper then a new DPF - still got my old one in the garage too!

[David]

I would thoroughly recommend JamSAAB. Highly regarding in SAAB circles.
An honest and reliable garage.
Ask for Martin.