Diesel cambelt service

[lost_in_france]

Hi,

I am looking to change from a Saab 9000 - petrol auto to the 1.9 diesel 9-5 - various reasons, problems with autobox (done 230k+), fuel consumption etc. Probably source in the UK as way cheaper than France!

Main question is the perennial one - cambelt. If I go for a car with more than the 70-80k mileage this should have been done at the last Saab Service. My understanding is it is the water pump that usually causes the problem - so does the cambelt service always include the pump? If not, then it seems the words 'cambelt changed' does not seem much of a guarantee or reliability.

Thanks

Alistair

[sgould]

Welcome!

I don't own a diesel so Im passing on stuff I've picked up - correctly, I hope.

The 9-5 has the 150 hp 16 valve diesel.  I think it was fitted from 2006. Before that the 9-5 had the 120 hp version of the 2.2 diesel.

I've heard that Saab do a " timing belt kit" for the 150 hp engine.  This may include the pump.  But I will try and check later when I get home and can look at my parts list.

The timing belt is scheduled for change at the 120,000 km service (72,000 miles)

[Max Headroom]

The kit for the 93 does not include a pump. I know this because it will be my first job to do on the car when I get back to UK at end of March. So I imagine it would be the same for the 95

As far as I know (and I can only speak of advice I have read for the 93) there is a chance that a water pump failure could cause the cam-belt to snap, and that is why it is advised to cx the pump whenever cx'ing the belt

[Audax]

The only reason I've ever seen a belt fail is because of the water pump failing. The Saab service specifies the belt *only* the timing belt kit is all the rollers and a new tensioner but no water pump. Doing the lot (which is the right way to do it in my opinion) adds about £120 on to the bill, because of this extra cost on an already expensive service as often at this mileage the car will need new brakes/tyres many people refuse to have the entire kit.

[Max Headroom]

...adds about £120 on to the bill...

Yes that's correct, though SAAB main dealership said £100 - but I took that as a 'ball-park' figure 

[sgould]

The part number for the 1.9 diesel water pump changed in 2007.

Is the newer one stronger?   Or was it changed because it was cheaper? 

[Max Headroom]

Don't quote me on this but I believe the later ones were modded to avoid the problem.
HOWEVER I don't know that for a fact. I was either told it or read it somewhere 

[sgould]

The pump part number changed in 2007.  It is also the new one that is sold if you need a replacement.

But the reason for the change could be many.  A better one?  A cheaper one?  , or just a different supplier of the same thing, etc.