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Since you guys have been so helpful with service and tech tips I wanted to pass on my experience with this procedure in case anyone is about to attempt this. Special thanks to Dean for the link to the Technical Service Bulletin. I should preface this with admitting my motivation for taking this on was a very slight weep that I could clearly see by the exhaust manifold of my '99 9-3S. I never suffered any of the coolant loss/oil burning that some have. The biggest challenge, and by far the most time consuming, was locating the proper socket for the head bolts. The tool in question is a Torx socket, size E16. After calling several Sears stores and being told each one had two to four sets (Sears sells only a 7 pc. set manufactured by Lisle, Sears # 947733) in stock I then asked the sales person to actually put their hands on a set and, do you know what? They all vaporized! So, passing by one of those big, beautiful, wish-I-had-one-in-my-backyard Snap-On tool trucks on the way home, I cheerfully plunked down my nine dollars and change for the coveted E16.
Next morning I started my Saab, brought it up to operating temp, shut it down and waited 2 hours for it to cool (TSB says 1 hour, but...)
So here's what you need; Torx 30, Torx 40, 10mm wrench (for the dipstick mount), E16 socket, 6" extension, a torque wrench and, of course, a big -I mean plastic hammer (to break the seal on the valve cover). Okay, a new valve cover gasket for you hard-cores. A very straight-forward operation and a great oppurtunity to see into the cam assembly and how clean your engine is. My head bolts broke free at alot less than the final value I placed on them. There was only one that broke significantly easier. This is subjective I know. I am convinced that I was proactive in thwarting a disaster down the road. After talking with a master mechanic the two-stage torque plus a quarter turn is apparently common in the industry. Go figure...Anyway, the peace-of-mind is immeasurable and again many thanks to all for some really great posts.
Doug P Saab since '75 '86 9000T, '99 9-3S
posted by 66.142.137...
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