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Re: That Warm Saab Smell Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: That Warm Saab Smell, Aussie 9kt, Thu, 5 Jul 2001 08:17:19 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Burnt carmel, baking bread. If you notice this smell in the cabin with the heat on, and particularly stronger when the heat is first turned on, you're probably looking at (smelling at?) a leaky heater core. Pretty common on the 9000. Has nothing to do with the engine type. If the leak is very minor, you may be able to put off the inevitable for a few years by treating the coolant with a product called Bars Leaks. (been working for about three years and going strong on one of my cars) If the leak is really bad - fogging the windshield, that sort of thing - then replacing the heater core is the only option. Not an expensive part, but the labor is pretty bad. A lot depends on what year your cars are. Older (about 1990 and earlier) took a little more work than the newer ones. It is a do-it-yourself job if your handy, have a decent set of tools, and are willing to devote a good 4-6 hours.
Now, if you smell this in the engine compartment, then you're probably just looking at a simple coolant leak. Inspect all hoses, especially at the ends for leaks. Look for a telltale whitish or greenish powdery trail. It doesn't take much coolant to stink, and you can get a minor weeping that evaporates almost immediately, but will still smell. So tighten up some clamps and look for that powdery clue.
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