Date: Sun, 21 Mar 1999 10:40:14 -0800 From: "John Weiss" <jrweissnopsamet*NOSPAM*.com> Subject: Re: Saab 900 questions
Glenn Stauffer wrote in message ... >Anyway, here are some of the problems I noticed that I'd like some advice >on. > >- The car was hit in the right rear quarter. The repair is barely >noticeable except for some paint lines visible inside the passenger >doorway (barely). Anyway, at the lower part of the passenger door >opening, there is significant rust - a small area, but it looks like it >could be poked through. Is this a common problem or the likely result of >a less than perfect repair job? Rust is relatively uncommon, especially for a car that new. Exceptions tend to be in the snow belt where heavy road salting is common. If the rust is only in that one spot, it's a bad repair. >- When I started the car, I noticed a low knocking sound emanating from >the lower part of the engine. You could hear the noise from the front or >passenger side even with the hood closed. After I took the car for a >test ride, this noise was gone. Any ideas? How long had it been since the car was previously started? If several weeks, a brief clatter until the bearings get oiled might be acceptable for a few seconds. If it lasted longer than that, or if the car had not been sitting for that long, there's a problem. >- There are a lot of oil leaks down the left (passenger) side of the >engine. Also, in the back of the engine, there was something in there >that showed a long-term oil leak. Is this normal for these engines? Are >the fixes expensive? If the leaks are from the valve cover gasket, it's common and easy to fix (replace the gasket, which is really a rubber "o-ring"). Other leaks from the lower part of the engine could be from any of a number of gaskets and seals. I occasionally tighten the bolts around a couple of the lower access plates on my '82, but I know there's one seal that leaks but is expensive to replace. It leaks/burns less than a quart between oil changes, so I live with it. If you can't get a Saab mechanic to check it out, pass on it. >- The owner tells me that he changes oil every 5k miles. The filter on >it was a Dana WIX filter? Good or bad? Good. --------------------- John R. Weiss Seattle, WA Remove *NOSPAM* from address for e-mail reply