Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:20:58 +0100 From: "Charles C." <c.k.christacopoulos_removeme_nospamee.ac.uk> Subject: Re: 9-5 Timing Belt
john.bain4 wrote: > Hi > I have a UK Saab 1998 9-5 SE 2.3ltr in excellent condition which has given > me excellent service until earlier this year (Jan) when it decided at 66,000 > miles to blow a cylinder head gasket. To repair this with all the palaver > involved cost me over £1000. Fortunately I had managed to get the > turbocharger replaced under warranty before Xmas as it was leaking oil. > When the car was in the garage I asked them to replace the timing belt > whilst the main job was being done. After a bit of research, the service > manager told me it doesn't have a timing belt - it's a chain and doesn't > need replaced. I am sure I read in the manual that the belt needs changed > circa 60,000 miles. > Could anyone with this model tell me the correct answer please? Chain is what you have. Now, the following is for a 9000 (2.0 lt, 1997 model) but I think we have a fairly similar engine. (the 2.0 and 2.3 are effectively the same engines). I think what you are refering to is the ancillary equipment, flat grooved, belt (water pump, alternator, air con and ... ? equipment). From recommendations on this group ... when doing the job on a 9000 it is also worth replacing the tensioner of this belt. From memory my "real" saab dealer (might as well plug them, Western Saab, Edinburgh) gave me a price of circa 80GBP for the belt. I paid just over 200 for belt and tensioner. I got it replaced at 78k miles (IMPERIAL MILES ... yes the same as US Miles) and I have to admit the old belt was pretty old ... simply put, it needed replacing. > > Since the repair the car is performing almost like new with good power and > accelleration. However, I am still experiencing a slight oil leak from the > engine engine underneath and there is a noisy "throaty rumble" from the > bottom of the central console on accellerating in 2nd gear (manual). (The > full throttle assembly was replaced as well.) Could it be at 2nd gear you get the most pull from your engine ... ie. you tend to be smoother in 3rd gear eg. around town as you will be doing 30 miles (Imperial :-) ) already. If yes, sorry it does not explain the vibration itself, but it means you have it in other gears too. > I am loath to go back to the garage as it was such a hassle to get it > repaired and it took weeks - they were not a recognised saab dealership and > they eventually had to get the local Saab dealership involved and as I > said - it is going quite well at the moment. I have no idea what a frachised saab dealer would charge for a head gasket job. I think over 1000 GBP is a lot of money for a head gasket replacemnt. It sounds to me as if you have had a bad experience (so have I with another saab dealer). You don't sound happy with where you've been and this is obvious from what you say above. (I would be foaming in the mouth). May I suggest a SAAB dealer (there are some good ones around) or a SAAB specialist. > Advice on the belt please and am I simply storing up future grief? > Thanks > jb As far as the belt goes, double check with the book if it is the same belt that I am talking about. Ask the group here if there is an issue with the belt tensioner of a 9-5 as with that of a 9000. Hope it helps Charles PS. How long have you had the car (from new?). What kind of repair shop did you take it to or did you take it back where you bought it from? -- Please remove _removeme_ to reply. Work: http://www.somis.dundee.ac.uk/ Hobby: http://www.egothor.org/
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