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Re: 95 9000 CSE Turbo: Timing chain or belt??? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:55:49
In Reply to: 95 9000 CSE Turbo: Timing chain or belt???, Heidi, Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:17:13 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
As the others have said, your car has a timing chain. Unlike a belt, there is no recommended replacement interval for a timing chain - it gets replaced when it needs it. Assuming regular oil changes (every 5K or less), a timing chain will run 200K miles, easily.
Replacing a timing chain isn't cheap - over $1K, so it's not something to do 'just because.' There are less expensive ways to replace just the chain, but I'm not a big believer in them. A chain runs on gears. It's not very common where a chain will wear, but the gears and tensioner don't. So they are usually all replaced at the same time, and access makes for a lot of labor.
Now that I'm done with the scare part, I'll say that a Saab timing chain issue CAN'T be diagnosed by sound alone. OK, if there is a sound from the timing chain area like a tin can full of cutlery rolling down stairs, yeah, something is amiss. But Saab engines are noted for being noisy, and normally have a number of rattly sounds from the timing chain area, especially at idle. All of the rotating accessories are at that end of the engine, and they all contribute to the concert of noise.
The serpentine belt runs on two pulleys (one idler, one tensioner). They don't last the life of the car. I make a habit of changing the serpentine belt every 30K, and on every second belt (every 60K), I replace the pulleys. I consider that to be probably more conservative than necessary, but I don't like letting the pulleys go to 90K, and since the belt has to come off to do the pulleys, I might as well put on a new belt.
Bottom line - timing chains rarely go. Unless the sound is REALLY bad (turn up the radio, Martha!), it's near impossible to diagnose a timing chain by sound alone, but that won't stop folks from trying, especially those that have something to sell (like a new chain). If the mechanic is right, he's saved you trouble; if he's wrong about the chain, he's not likely to not change it, apologize, and refund your money - he gets a new xBox out of the deal, after parts.
And I can see him thinking the timing belt is loud - One reason manufacturers go for timing belts is that they are quiet. A normal timing chain is loud for a belt.
If the car sounds the same as it has for years, it is most likely fine. 63K is barely broken in. Just keep up with the regular maintenance, like oil changes, coolant and brake fluid flushes, and it should go a long, long time. If the mechanic has managed to get you freaked, the timing chain can be inspected (by a mechanic that knows Saabs) relatively cheaply. They just pull the valve cover and look. Minimal labor, the only parts are a new valve cover gasket (about $25). And I'll bet any 13 year old 2.3 engine has a leaky valve cover gasket (dirty/oily area on the front/driver's side of the engine, up near the top). The valve cover gasket is NOT a head gasket - much, much cheaper. But I'd only do that if I was really worried, or the valve cover gasket was leaking badly (oily burning smell about 5 minutes after starting the car, coming from under the hood).
posted by 192.249....
, Thu, 22 Mar 2007 05:55:49 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 21 Mar 2007 21:47:41, Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:38:35
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