1979-1993 & 94 Conv [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
the saab headgaskets seem to eroded over time between the waterways and the cylinder bores.. symptoms are exhaust pressure in the cooling system and water loss.. plus a one cylinder miss at cold starts sometimes.. and the car running a little hotter than normal.. at first all these symptoms can be very minor..ie.. not that noticable.. there are not that many oilway drilling between the block and the head so there is no real reason for water to get in the oil.. the erosion leak between waterway and cylinder seems the common cause of failure..
i did mine about a week ago for the cost of one headgasket plus the inverted torx socket u need to remove the head bolts.. cost say 30 US dollars.. plus say five hours of my time..
much has been written about headgasket failures and i researched the subject quite well before i did mine.. most blame it on the car running to hot but i dont i think the running hotter is a symptom of gasket failure as opposed to the otherway around..
basically these gaskets just seem to erode over time.. looking at the old gasket when u remove it makes what has happened very obviouse.. it can also cause localized pitting of the head and block.. if u have not let your water level get too low and your car overheat excessively your head is not likely to be cracked or bowed.. but the pitting is qute common.. some say u should take it to a machine shop and have it checked and skimmed.. this all comes down to how much u trust your own judgement as to whether it needs doing or not..
what else u replace is up to u.. the cost can be anything between the 30 dollars and say 800 or higher if u have a shop do it all..
having done it once i recon i could do the job again in no more than three hours labour.. my initial five hour estimate was a very slow and methodical one.. the job is not difficult if u approach it correctly..
in essence if the only failure is the gasket and the cause is simple erosion.. the gasket is the only thing that has to be replaced.. but lets say.. rad.. stat.. all tempt sensors.. fans.. hoses.. can be connected and even replaced while u are at it.. its up to u..
as for things being easier while u are in there.. well the timing chain should be checked and if u really want to go to town u can have the entire head.. valves and stuff done while the head is off..
there really is no limit to what can be done.. he he he.. me i only did what needed to be done..
trog100
posted by 62.254....
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