Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 09:42:10 -0400 From: "James Rosenkranz" <fireglownospamsouth.net> Subject: Re: Saab 900 Classic Timing chain issue
OK, here is the next installment on this investigation. Seeking to eliminate the simple (& cheap) possibilities, I replaced the upper chain guide located in the valve cover. I had seen mention on the web that these harden with age and can be noisy when engine is cold. The old one indeed had hardened to the point of being absolutely rigid. In fact it snapped in two when I removed it. The new one is a quite flexible piece of rubber. So OK with that in place, fired up the engine to idle speed. Noise still there. No change. Rats! This noise is so loud and pervasive that I can only isolate it to somewhere on the engine block. Well, I played around a bit while sitting there puzzled and noticed that the noise would go away if I turned the steering wheel all the way over to either wheel lock. So I began to wonder if the steering pump was the culprit. I removed the belt on the steering pump and low and behold the noise dissappeared. So I guess I'm looking at either the steering pump or the pulley wheels. So I have the following questions: Does it make sense that the steering pump could make this noise? What is involved in changing out the steering pump and/or pulley wheels? Any/all advice appreciated, jim "James Rosenkranz" <fireglownospamsouth.net> wrote in message news:Kwehg.12491$EX2.1509nospamews5.bellsouth.net... >I have a 1989 Saab 900 16v NON-Turbo with 155K miles on it. > Recently its begun to make some noises that appear to be related > to the timing chain. I was hearing some random but frequent "pinging" > noises when the engine was warm. The sort of sound you would get from > striking an exhaust > pipe with a screw driver. They sounded like they were coming from > the area of the timing chain. Thinking it might be related to timing > chain tension, I replaced the timing chain tensioner. The tensioner > was extended 8-9mm. It is my understanding that 11-12mm would indicate > a timing chain requiring replacement. With the new tensioner, I now > have a loud, persistant rattling noise. This noise is more what I would > think a noisy chain to sound like. I removed the new tensioner just to > check the extention and make sure it was operating correctly. > It measures 8-9mm as did the old tensioner. > > So, I need to understand what situation I am now faced with. > > Is the chain worn to the point it requires replacement? > Are the guides worn? > Is there life left in the chain in spite of the noise? > Can the car be driven without fear of chain breakage or am I living > on borrowed time? > > Advice much appreciated, > > jim >
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