1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I have just a shade under 130,000 miles on it. I've owned it for a little over a year. I bought it from a friend of mine that I work with, and he is the original owner. I still have the window sticker in the glove box! Thankfully he has an excellent memory and service history of the car, and it has not overheated.
I spoke to someone at Mile High Saab today for a while (our local indie in Denver), and I'm set that it is a head gasket. Exhaust gases are pressurizing the coolant, and causing it to seep. The tech said that he has seen really bad cases, where coolant goes firing out of the expansion tank, and that mine sounded minor, but was a head gasket for sure.
I am going to do the work myself, and I will probably be replacing the water pump at the same time. The tech recommended that if it was done more than 5 years ago (it was done 6-7 years ago) to go ahead and do it, since it is easier with the head off. I think I should be able to get it done on my own. The thing that is the most scary is messing up the timing, but the shop said they could take a look at it for me after I get it back together.
I plan on using a machine shop here in Denver called Ridge Reamers, unless someone else on the board weighs in and has another option. They quoted 380 for surfacing and a valve job for the head, which didn't sound too bad to me. Surfacing alone was under 100, and I'll see if I find any whiskers on the valves when I remove them, then I'll spring for the valve job too.
Thanks for the reading and the replies, guys! I appreciate it. I'm not going to let this car die on me. I've been over it front to back since buying it from my buddy, and I've enjoyed all of the work that I have put into it so far. I've been able to fix tons of little things that he did not have time or the will to do. I've always wanted a Saab, always wanted a bonkers turbo, and never thought I would love a front-wheel drive car this much. I've got too much sweat and too many knuckle bruises for me to let her go now.
I'll keep you guys posted on the head rebuild. Thanks again!
posted by 168.200...
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
