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The V-6 is an excellent engine but not as refined as the Asian V-6's. The V-6 is a Vauxhall, made in England and is a 24 valve, 4-cam design. The cams are driven by a complex toothed belt, tensioner, and idler pulley arrangement. Since the engine is and "interference design", a belt failure will cause severe damage to the engine as the valves and pistons will collide. There are no issues with sludging like some owners of the 4-cylinder SAAB's are experiencing. The 6-cylinder only developes 200 horsepower and 229 foot pounds of torque. It has a low-pressure turbocharger fed only from the from three cylinders to compress the mixture for all 6 cylinders. The torque of the V-6 is excellent and the idle is smoother than that of the 4-cylinder. It feels stonger than its torque rating!
The major issue with the V-6 is the cam-belt, which MUST be replaced at 60,000 mile intervals. Along with the belt replacement is the tensioner and idler pulley. Some, on higher mileage vehicles, do the water-pump at the same time as it's under the cam cover. I believe the cam-belt/idler/tensioner will set you back around $700-800. The first belt at 60,000 miles is free but doesn't include the tensioner/idler. So you're still looking at $500+. (check with your Dealer to confirm prices).
I own the V-6 SAAB and am very pleased. No regrets. I did have a Turbo faliure and water pump at 50k miles. Warranty covered it. The same basic engine is used in the Saturn V-6 L-series sedan and the 1997-2001 Cadillac Catera's, except without the turbocharger.
Good luck! Get the Turbocharger checked out and use synthetic oil.
posted by 24.21.50...
, Sun, 12 Nov 2006 12:41:09
, Sun, 12 Nov 2006 17:54:07, Mon, 13 Nov 2006 06:35:27
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