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Re: why was the V6 such a bad engine?
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Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Mon, 11 Apr 2005 11:56:44 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: why was the V6 such a bad engine?, rob 94 cse, Mon, 11 Apr 2005 10:52:44
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The V6 in the 9000 was not just the 4 with two more cylinders - if nothing else, the old standard Saab engine is an I4, and the 6 was a V configuration. And an I6 isn't just a I4 with half-again as much. Not to mention, such a long engine would require substantial fender flares to fit.

The V6 was added as a marketing move. By the mid 90's, it was hard to sell an upmarket car without a 6 cylinder engine. Some folks wouldn't look at a 4 cylinder, even if it could blow the doors off most V6 and V8 engines. Instead of designing and certifing a whole new engine, GM just reached into the parts bin and pulled one out.

The V6 was a GM design from some other application. A major part of the complaint is that it isn't a Saab engine. The Saab turbo-4 can trace it's roots back to 1974 or so, and is pretty robust and proven; the V6 had no such pedigree. So for us die-hard Saab guys, the V6 was only the most obvious effect of the GM buy-in, and there was some resentment. Then again, many of use thought that the two-stroke was just fine and more 'Saab-ish'

The V6 had a timing belt, whereas the I4 has been a chain forever. Not only did the belt require regular replacement, it turned out to need replacement a lot more frequently that first assumed. So there were a bunch of nasty, early timing belt failures that pretty much set the mood. For folks used to keeping a timing chain for over 200K, replacing a belt every 30K was pretty unseeming. And replacing the belt is not trivial, and it is recommended that you replace the tensioner with the updated version, or calamity may ensue.

There were other maintenance and reliability issues with the V6 in the 9000 that didn't endear it to Saab folks. I belive that needing to remove the intake manifold to replace th thermostat was one. Additionally, it didn't provide any more horsepower, just more weight up front. In fact the V6 provided less HP and torque than the turbo 4. The torque band was a bit wider, and the engine a bit smoother.

There are folks out there with the V6 and quite happy with them. Hey, great- every Saab on the road is a good thing. The engine was in the 9000 for only 4 model years - 95- 98; I think it was in the 900 a bit longer - to 99, before the 9-3 came in. The V6 provides a nice smooth highway ride. Is the knock against the V6 just a "Not Built In Sweden" mentality? Some of it is. And some of the mid-90's V6 engines were real nightmares. Most of those are gone now, and the decently-built ones remain. Given a choice, I'd take the turbo-4 over the V6 - more power, better mileage, and lower weight over the front axle.

By the way, the V6 in the 9-5 is an entirely different beast.

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