1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup
Hello all!
I know there is a post down below, but I exhaustively searched and read, then did some poking around myself in the car when I got home from work, so I thought I would post my findings (or lack thereof).
Quick and short -
I have a coolant leak somewhere on my 1997 900SEt 5-dr with 112K miles. Looked and found the drippings on the plastic cover pieces under the car, nearest/below the oil drain/turbo/ball joint/stanchion arm area on the passenger side. The hard part is that I did not feel/see any point where the leak was coming from. It is definately coolant.
History -
All services performed since new-to-me (~83K, March 02) at dealer on schedule, and starting on my own. Oil every 3K. Coolant was 17K miles/11 months ago. Currently @ 112K.
No problems except for a minor issue of a rough idle on immediate (within 5-10 minutes) startup after driving long (50+ miles/hour+) distances. Started to occur when weather warmed up (possible DI?!)
Was heading to Mont-Tremblant, Quebec last week from here in WNY. Decided to check things over (fluids, plugs - gap was 0.45! - regapped to 0.35 and deposits were clean, etc.) before I left. Everything fine.
What happened -
On the way back from Tremblant, we had stopped at Duty-Free. When I started the car back up and drove through customs, "Low Coolant Warning" appeared on the SID as we pulled away. I had cleared it and assumed it was the result of sitting in the heat idling (used to happen all the time in my old Eclipse where temp would come close to overheating; I am a frequent visitor to Canada) being sure to pay close attention to my temp. No problems the whole way home. Never even got above the magic 9 o'clock position.
Checked the coolant level when I got back, and very little was missing. I topped it off anyway before heading to the PGA on Sunday. When leaving the PGA, message appeared again as soon as I started the car. I have been topping off once a day since Sunday. Only need to add a couple of inches though.
I want to fix this, but will probably not have another chance until the weekend. So topping off will be the way to go.
Questions -
I plan to retorque the head, but my understanding is the engine needs to be completely cool, and with the weather and the need to drive back and forth to work, it is only like that in the AM. That will be one of Saturday's projects.
Will I be best served if come the weekend, I drain the fluid, just remove the bumper (does this make it easier to poke around?), replace all hoses/clamps, and hopefully be done with it?
Could this be the water pump?
Do I just go to the mechanic and have them pressurize the system and try to find the leak? I have been trying to avoid them now that I am doing things/attempting to do things myself. I am afraid of what they might say.
Anything else I am missing?
Thanks for reading through all of this. I owe those who read a drink! Thanks again for any advice/comments!
Sean
1997 900 SEt 5-dr
112K
SAS!
Sience removed
A rbox mod w/ K&N
R7s w/ Zeons
posted by 24.54.88...
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.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
