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Idler pulleys, waterpump and other "accessories" (long) Posted by Peter [Email]  (#2804)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Peter) on Sun, 6 Feb 2005 07:57:39
In Reply to: Re: RE: 1997 900 S *whistling* again ?!!, Albert, Sun, 6 Feb 2005 06:09:34 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
None, except it is the same belt, and easier to work on at the same time.
eEuroparts.com and saabsite.com have diagrams and pics of the parts.
The Saab EPC CD (around $10 on eBay) has diagrams and part numbers.
Haynes manual has pics and good descriptions even if you don't work on the car yourself.
Dean and other people here have good explanations of why the pulleys fail, how to replace them and/or lubricate the bearings etc.
The following is my take on the belt and related parts, YMMV (in this case, literally!)
Some noise from the belt area is Ok, but it should stop as the engine gets warm. If it comes and goes after the engine has warmed up, I would look for something else.
In my case, it is more like a squealing noise, for anywhere from a few seconds to a little under a minute, depending on how cold it is. I usually let the car idle until it goes away. Does it every winter from when it was 2-3 years old.
Anything that is driven by the serpentine belt can make noise when cold and/or bearings and shafts wear out. The waterpump is just the most common item after the pulleys.
There was a recall for 94 through early 96 production cars for a bad waterpump shaft design. Autozone has the VINs with bad pumps online. The newer pumps wear out quickly, but I have not heard of shafts breaking off.
There are o-ring type seals that connect the waterpump housing to pipes on the engine that should be checked for leaks (mine were leaking by 60k miles). A short and inexpensive u-shaped hose at the waterpump should be changed along with the pump if still original (p/n 9178849, $3-4).
When a pulley and the belt goes, you have to tow the car or risk overheating the engine. My last towing fees would pay for a few pulleys at least (chuckle).
I plan to replace the two idler pulleys, the original tensioner pulley and waterpump at 100k. I also bought a surplus rebuilt Bosch alternator as a spare, and may put that on at the same time.
Despite what someone said below about 100k being "just broken in", my car has seen many short trips on bad city streets from one stoplight to the next in 8 years. The short cycles eat engine parts, especially in winter. In my case it is not the mileage that causes wear on the engine. My car has seen over 10,000 starts in 8 years (!), not to mention bent rims, a blown turbo, power steering leaks, AC problems, rusted brakes, and recently a failed fuel pump and cruise control.
Based on what I have seen on my car, and for my 60/40 mix of short trips and long high-speed trips, I would say the idler pulleys and belt should be replaced every 30-50k miles, not just inspected. Water pump, 50-65k (I am on borrowed time, but I inspect it now and then). Tensioner pulley at or before 100k. As for the alternator, some autopart stores will roll a tester out to your car and test it for free. You can have yours rebuilt for $100-150 with a new brush and voltage regulator kit if you plan ahead.
posted by 68.248.233...
, Sat, 5 Feb 2005 22:24:02, Mon, 7 Feb 2005 10:15:04, Sun, 6 Feb 2005 07:57:39 <-- Viewing This Message, Sun, 6 Feb 2005 12:37:04, Sun, 6 Feb 2005 20:18:03, Sun, 6 Feb 2005 21:48:31
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