Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2006 00:38:34 +1000 From: Craig's Saab C900 Site <c900nospam.apana.org.au> Subject: [Saab_c900] 8V turbo engine problem - might be head gasket
Hi, two things are evident with the engine in the turbo car. it's really hard to start and the first time it's cranked and fires it tends to die shortly after letting the key go almost like it's fuel-starved but I know the fuel pump is ok and I put a new fuel filter in some weeks back. A second crank usually gets it going if I push the throttle a bit at the same time. Second thing is when the engine is running. It sounds like it's running on 3 cylinders only, and blows white smoke for around 10 to 15 minutes after starting. There isn't any evidence that I've seen so far of water in the oil, but from my limited understanding it's pointing to the head gasket being suspect. I know all the spark leads are good and the distributor cap is ok. I changed the spark plugs for a new set of BP7ES's a few months ago. Another issue with the engine is that until it warms up and even sometimes after it's warm, there is a metallic tapping sound in time with the engine rotations that I haven't quite tracked down. First thought was something wrong with the valves. I haven't work on 8V heads to that degree yet but if I decide to take off the head to check out the gasket (I do have a set of new head bolts), getting the head reconditioned might be worthwhile, or just getting a new or recon'd one. Can a new or recon'd head be put on the engine as a drop-in replacement for the one on it now with just a head gasket and a timing check (and maybe a new timing chain) installed as well? I guess the timing chain would be a problem unless it's a version with master link. Craig. -- Craig's Saab C900 Page at | Craig's Classic Saab Workshop - Sydney .au http://nospam/~c900 | http://www.classicsaab.net and other URL's Email: c900nospam.apana.org.au | For Saab 99/C900/9000 Enthusiasts World-Wide! Alternate: saabonautnospaml.com | Web-forums, galleries, library, links, etc. _______________________________________________ saab_c900 mailing list saab_c900nospam.apana.org.au http://nospam/mailman/listinfo/saab_c900
