Hi Guys,
Well I would start by saying hello I am new, I would have joined earlier if it wasnt for the fact that I've been attempting to fix the aircon that wasn't working on my new 9-3 TTID aero that I've only had 4 weeks. Cut a long story short, bought the car from BCA MY09 plate in Black absolute minter with the cream interior. Low and behold it was the bargain of the century, I wondered why and then I found out the aircon wasn't working.
So off to Saab I go wondering if they will honour this under warranty, 5 days later - No Sir, it was caused by a stone damaging the condenser Saab do not offer warranty replacement or even a contribution - not surprising given Saab's current state. £750 to replace & regas an aircon condenser sir !!! And they are on back order with Saab - no surprises again !!! After a bit of research I decided to buy a copy of the original from autoairconparts as the original was also on back order with them. Condenser arrived, bumper removed - which is really really easy by the way, removed the old aircon condenser swapped out with the new one, refitted bumper and then off to quick fit for a regas and I fixed the problem! £130 for the rad and £50 for a regas - happy days.
So, how to replace the a/c condenser for those that are interested:-
You need to remove the 3 bolts either side of the bumper under the wheel arch, then remove 3 bolts which hold the splash guard under the bumper. I think there were 4 plastic push buttons which hold the top of the bumper in the engine bay and there are also 2 star shaped screws which you will need a special screwdriver for.
Remove the bumper, starting from the wheel arches - the bumper is clipped in and just pulls out - YOU WILL NOT NEED ANY SCREWDRIVERS to pull the bumper out - just use your hands, so pull the left side bumper out and then pull the right side out, then go back to the left and pull the bumper off the car in a 90 degree motion - there are electrical cables on the far right hand side of the bumper for the fogs and washer pipes for the headlight washer (if your car has these fitted). You wont be able to move the bumper far as these cables & pipes are attached to the engine bay.
One thing I did as well - I bought some mesh off ebay and when I had the bumper removed, cable tied the mesh behind the lower grill to try and eliminate big stones entering the condenser in the future.
Now with the bumper off you will see the condenser it is an easy job to remove, there are 2 screws which hold it at the top and the coolant pipes are attached to the condenser, unscrew and remove the coolant pipes, fit new condenser and then follow the reverse of the above - take car for regas - job done
Loving the car by the way, I've had many marques, Lexus, BMW, Audi and the 9-3 really does hold it's own. Loving the seats they are sooo comfortable, the performance is pretty good as well, can't say I'm majorily impressed by the fuel economy - giving around 500 miles to a tank, might be down to my right foot.
