Date: Fri, 07 Jul 2000 00:43:57 GMT From: "Eric Law" <ericnospamnopsamlnpsoam.com> Subject: Re: How are your SAABs doing?
Andy, Well, I can quote a large number of opposing personal experienced. I have done some really nasty things to Saab engines in the past (turbo running 28PSI of boost, revving past 8000 RPM (at the same time!)), and run many of them past 200,000 miles, with never a problem. In fact, some I've disassembled still had the factory hone marks visible on the cylinder walls, and crank/rod bearing clearances still within spec for a new engine. While I think the synthetic oil I use should get some of the credit, the bulletproof construction of the engines gets the rest. Personally, I would be somewhat skeptical of the "grinding burns" diagnosis. While that seems like a plausible cause of the heat damage to the crankshaft, lubrication failure can cause exactly the same type of damage. The bearing(s) does not receive enough oil, this greatly increases friction, which creates tremendous amounts of heat. Ultimately, the bearing can get so hot that the two parts moving against one another begin to fuse together. The end-result is a seized motor. Of course, this does not necessarily absolve Saab of responsibility. If lubrication failure *was* the cause, you would need to determine why the oiling system failed. Could be due to a manufacturing defect, a clogged oil-cooler hose or oil filter, or a bunch of other things. I'm sure this does not provide much consolation, but I wouldn't be too quick to place the blame on Saab, and even if it lies there, this is probably a rare isolated incident. I've got some complaints with other aspects of Saabs, but their engines (the ones they manufacture themselves) are top-notch. Eric Law P.S. One place I *would* tend to fault Saab is in the customer-service area. It seems in your case it would have been good business practice to at least provide you with a rebuilt motor, with the possibility of getting a repeat customer (which obviously now they won't). What's worse is that this is not the first time I've heard this type of story regarding Saab. "Andy" <aswojtasnopsamuserve.com> wrote in message news:8k31rj$hi7$1nopsamraac-i-1.production.compuserve.com... > I bought my SAAB 9000CS in Göteborg. It was new. Every 20.000 km I had it > checked and always only by authorised SAAB garages in the Netherlands and > in Germany. I drove almost all its mileage long-distance with speeds between > 100 - 160 km/h on smooth motorways in Germany and in Netherlands and I can > say I have taken a good care of my car. Therefore, I was shocked when one > day, driving on a motor way in Germany, suddenly at a speed of approx. 160 > km/h within a few hundred meters a terrible metallic noise developed in the > engine. > I stopped the car immediately, called the nearest SAAB service and had my > car towed for an inspection. The crankshaft and its bearing failed. Just a > day before I had my car serviced at a SAAB garage in Rotterdam. > Once the defective engine of my car had been disassembled I had the > crankshaft inspected to find the reason of this premature failure. And > indeed...! Major grinding burns(*) were revealed on the journals. With this > type of a defect it is surprising that my car lasted three years and as much > as 160.000 km. The garage and the lab that inspected my crankshaft explained > it was Evident that this failure of the engine in my car was clearly a > result of a Serious fault in manufacturing. With this ruling I contacted the > customer department of SAAB in Trolhatan. > And then, here comes the major reason for my disappointment. Ms. Johnson, > responsible for all customer contacts, bluntly pointed out to me that my car > was by then three years old and thus out of the warranty. She did not think > SAAB could account for a car as old as three years!!! One-year guarantee was > long enough and if after this it should appear that the car and the engine > were put together by glue and paper clips it was all at the buyer's risk. > So, I had the engine fixed. Had to pay a fortune, almost a price of a new > engine. > Now I am desperately looking for a buyer for my car. I want to get rid of it > and get something reliable. I'm contemplating a Volvo. Meanwhile I have > learned that Volvo uses a state of the art inspection method to inspect > all critical engine components for manufacturing defects such as grinding > burns(*). > > So, how are your SAABs doing? Have you had any similar experiences? > Please let me know. > Andy S. Wojtas > > (*) A grinding burn is what happens to an engine part during surface > finishing i.e. grinding if the part is allowed to overheat. Just like when > you sharpen a knife and press it too hard against a grinding wheel. You'll > see it turn red hot and right in that place the knife will lose its > hardness, so vital for its endurance. > > > > > > >
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