Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 14:12:09 GMT From: malcolm532nopsameja.com Subject: Re: used saab 900s questions
In article <37ECF363.4EB0nopsam.net>, jwebsnopsam.net wrote: > I just bought a 1984 900S cheap. The body is excellent, interior is > clean, and previous owner claims 103,000 miles (the odometer reading). > When I arrived at his house to test drive it, he said it had been > sitting for a while, and it looked it judging by the Maple tree seeds > and small twigs that had collected in the rear spoiler. We jump started > it, after which it ran super smooth, and it performed perfectly through > all five gears on my test drive. Clutch grabbed fine, great > acceleration, steering was tight, etc. Almost everything on the dash > (lights and controls) works except the defrost fan is a little weak, and > the rear defrost button doesn't seem to work. > > Now here's what's really wrong: > > -- Even thought I shut it off and restarted it afew times, no problem, > after test driving it, now that I have it, it won't start. First it > turned over a few times, and started twice, now it's just cranking. I'm > hoping it just needs a new battery. > > -- The clutch makes periodic vibrating sounds, but works fine. I'm > hoping it's just the plastic cover vibrating at certain rpms. > > -- It was difficult to get into reverse once, it just ground, until I > killed the engine, put it in reverse, and restarted it. Five out of six > times it went into reverse fine. > > That's about it. This is my first Saab after a few VWs and I'm clueless > about the engine. Any comments/advice or similar experience with these > problems much appreciated. For instance, how much does a new clutch on a > Saab 900S cost if it comes to that? > > Also (long shot), can anyone recommend a good Saab mechanic in the > Providence RI area? > > Thanks for any info, > > -johnw > -- > john s. webster/jwebsnopsam.net > the vortext group -- writing svcs. > 218 waterman st. #306c > providence, rhode island 02906 > phone/fax: (401) 273-5567 > --------------------------------------------- > John, Just did the same, but bought a 92 900 with 118,000miles and it had sat for a year too! The first thing I did was to give it a good service changing all oils, plugs and filters. Regarding your car which with that mileage is a "young" car, and basically all engines are the same when it comes to the basics such as ignition etc. The only thing to watch with a Saab engine is that it is the "wrong" way round in the engine bay!, Note the plug numbers on the engine! If it cranks over easily, but doesn't fire I would suggest the following: Check that the plug leads and the plugs are good, Crank it over and take a plug out. If it's "wet" ie smells of petrol then the problem lies in the ignition side. Check the distributor cap is not cracked/ dirty inside. Clean/check all connections from the coil and distributor. You can check if you are getting a spark by taking all the plugs out, connecting one up to a lead and holding the plug against the engine while somebody cranks the engine - be careful don't electocute yourself. If there is a spark then it's a fuel problem, replace the filter check there is fuel pumped while the engine is cranked. Yeap a clutch will be dodgy if left for along time, but may get better with use. However if the car was used mainly in town then it's seen a hard life and may require changing, this is suggested by the crunching reverse. It is actually quite easy to change in the car. The Haynes manual is good for this - you should be able to get one through a good auto store. If a garage says the engine has to come out to change it, walk away as they don't know what they are doing! I have changed two saab clutches myself now and it takes about 3 hours with simple tools As stated follow the Haynes manual. A Clutch kit consisting of the plate and the pressure plate is about £80 here, but I suspect you will get one in the USA for about the same cost in dollars, again an auto parts store job. Crunchy reverse can also be caused by the lack of an oil change or the wrong oil in the gearbox the box uses engine oil eg 10/30w NOT Hypod gear oil such as ep80 etc. A weak fan can be simply that the hoses to the de-mist vents need putting back on! To change the fan motor is a pain as the whole dash has to come out however check that the air filter in the heater inlet! This often gets overlooked and could be jammed with leaves dirt etc. Changing it will make a big difference. Just open the bonnet (hood) and look at the filter. Switches get sticky with age, Scrap yards are the best way to deal with that one. They are expensive from the dealer here in Scotland. As to a dealer in Rhode Island it's just alittle bit too far away for me to know! Good luck, Keep us posted Malcolm Stonehaven, Scotland. Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.
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