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Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 23:13:29 -0000
From: Skodapilot <carl.robsonnopsamcing-czechs.com>
Subject: Re: Where can I find a buyer guide to the classic 900 (not the     newer 900/9-3/9-5)


In article <B9FB2866.1153%pjghnopsamyonder.co.uk>, pjghnopsamyonder.co.uk spouted forth into alt.autos.saab... > in article MPG.183f734b3c67fd169896b6nopsam.cis.dfn.de, Skodapilot at > carl.robsonnopsamcing-czechs.com wrote on 15/11/2002 21:11: > > <snip>Proposal that the earlier 900 model would be a good start for > Carl</snip> > > > Guess you know what Skoda drivers are like. > > Yup, the Skoda reputation is a great joke here in the UK, and elsewhere. > Skoda know this too - just look at the Griff-Rhys Jones adverts :) > > That said, I have heard a great tale of a head-on between a Skoda Rally > (Ralleye?) and a Jag... > > Is it just me, or do the Skoda Rallys (sorry, don't know the model > name/number but you all know which one) bear an uncanny resemblance to the > 99? :) The 130LR Group B Estelle was the last of the Skoda rear engined rally cars. And does bear something of a resembelance. http://www.skoda-owners-club.co.uk/special/s130lr-n.jpg http://www.skoda-owners-club.co.uk/special/s130lr-e.jpg http://www.skoda-owners-club.co.uk/special/s130lr-l.jpg That is actually one of the few genuine 130LRs left in existance, and is infact John Hauglands old car, which he won the rally of Ulster in, in the '80's, now owned by an Owners club member, though Haugy wants it back, and even test drove it at the track day where the photos were taken. > > How long do the Cam chains last? For some reason, something tells to > > trust a chain more than a belt, because as it wears, at least you hear > > the rattle, and know it is time to get it sorted. > > I don't honestly know and have not had to replace one. I have heard horror > stories about the cam chain dragging through the engine, ripping internal > parts onto the road. [You mention Haynes manuals in your posting...] The > Haynes I have for the 99, 90 & 900 models shows in detail how to check cam > chain wear and ensure that it is the correct tension. I am not at all a > mechanic, but I could follow this one through on my 900i and it seems fine. > I think that if you look over the mechanics now and again and learn to > listen to the car, you'll know when things are amiss. Yeah, that sounds like the kind of things I do. I tend to get to know every sqeak and creak of a car, and know when something doesn't sound healthly, even when MOT inspectors don't consider it a problem. > > I realise about the dangers and cost of knackered turbos. I know > > to look for side to side and from to back float on the bearings on the > > compressor side (can you get the boost hose off easily and reach in on a > > Saab 900, and check for play?) But I suppose damaged, broken or just > > burn off vanes on the blades is a lot harder to see, especially on the > > exhaust side. > > Good to hear you know what to look for - maybe the turbo would be a good > first 900 then. Replacement 900 turbo-chargers are about 500ish UKP, but > shopping around might get a cheaper one. I recently looked over a 900 > Carlsson - the turbo sounded like a helicopter taking off. I know I could > have replaced it, but there were other things as well that just made it not > worth buying. All good Saab turbos have at least a little whistle - you can > wind the windows down and make up tunes on the way home from work :) As a > layman, if it sounds okay, doesn't smoke and the water levels are up & well > mixed with anti-freeze, the turbo should be okay. I think it was the MY 1989 > when water cooling was introduced to the 900 turbo. Sounds like I'm onto something than. Yeah. I know not to get over enthusiastic and think "What the hell" when I look at a car, although my last two choices of Skoda have both looked dog rough (and looked even rougher once I've started with them) Both have been basically structurally sound, and mechanically pefect, and never missed a beat, maybe I just get a feeling if it is a good one. > The basic 900i has loads of room at the front to get into the clutch; the > carburetted models even more room. Once you add a turbo, you've got some > prep work to do before getting into this kind of stuff. Add the APC system > and you've probably an hour's work to get all the pipe work out before you > can get down and dirty at the front of the engine. > > My first 900 was an APC turbo from an auction and it needed an awful lot of > looking after - I was really glad to have the 900i as my second Saab. I > learned a lot from the first turbo and all that experience fits into place > so much easier with the injection. I also now know what not to touch and > leave to the professionals with my second turbo. > > I can't really think of any other quirks with the early 900s - they're front > wheel handbrake cars, so you can practice James Bond reverse skids, and the > Haynes details the voodoo incantations to reset the handbrake after > replacing the pads. > > You sound like you know what you're doing with amateur mechanics (excuse the > possible aspersion) and I think any 900 will be fine for you, armed with a > Haynes. Look for good bodywork and the style that you like. Happy hunting. Thanks. I am very much an amateur, and a theoretical one at that, but normally, if I get brave enough, dive in, and have a go, I haven't found a job that I couldn't finish yet (replacing a hydaulic clutch master cylinder on the Estelle (and bleeding and adjusting it afterwards), and spending a weekend removing old shock bolts on the Favorit with a cordless drill and a bolster chisel and big hammer, because the nuts had seized on three of the 4 shocks, crawling under the car in the rain), but I haven't tackled brakes yet. Anything that could potentially be life threatening if I screw it up, I tend to not mind paying for to be done properly first time. A slightly loose shock will rattle, or wobble before it comes loose, or an exhaust will get noisy or blow smoke if it is badly fitted and you then can tell but loosing a brake pad, or having the car pull to one side when slam on because of a clown in front at motorway speeds is a bit different. -- Carl Robson http://www.bouncing-czechs.com

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