Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1998 05:07:46 GMT From: "J. R. the Interloper" <jrdleenopsamcom> Subject: Re: Anyone have an '87 900 8-Valve?
I think you're correct in stating that the car sat for a long period of time and decayed. It was purchased at a Saab dealer, but had no service records whatsoever. The head gasket leakage was evidenced by a gradual loss of coolant, steam with the exhaust, and antifreeze fouling the spark plugs. We'll see what happens as the next chapter of this saga unfolds with the possibility of a rebuilt engine. Thanks for your advice and reply. J. R. >Justin VanAbrahams wrote in message <367EBEC6.6C8Dnopsamnet>... > >As far as head gaskets go, 73k seems VERY low. They normally last >130k or more; my '85 900T has 190k on the origina and my '88 9000T >has 220k on the original. Replacing it that early doesn't seem >right. Unless you're seeing a disappearance of oil or coolant >that you can't account for, or if your fluids are mixing, I'd >take it elsewhere for a second opinion. > >One possibility though, is that if the car sat for a long time >things like head gaskets can get old and fail. Oil seals and >such depend on fresh warm fluids flowing around to remain >soft and if they're deprived of that they can wear out >prematurely. >