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Saab 9-3 Maintenance and Repair
I've found my leak in the high pressure line, have the hose disconnected, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to remove the line.
I've removed the reservoir, battery, even the radiator reservoir, the battery plate, cleared most wires, but I can't figure out how to wiggle the hard line out from under the welded metal bracket that supports the battery.
Do I have to disconnect more of the other systems or is there a quicker way?
I've removed the reservoir, battery, even the radiator reservoir, the battery plate, cleared most wires, but I can't figure out how to wiggle the hard line out from under the welded metal bracket that supports the battery.
Do I have to disconnect more of the other systems or is there a quicker way?
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On to serious business.....has the car been road-tested with a data-logger?
Since you have already replaced the likely culprits, there are still a few more areas that you can check. Vacuum leak? It could also be a sensor problem. Thing is about sensors, a bad sensor can give you a "good" reading because the sensor is broken. I am not sure about Saabs, but a lot of cars work in "closed-loop" control until they warm up. This means that the car's ECU is controlling the spark and fuel addition based on the built-in fuel tables and not using the O2 sensors. Once it warms-up, the the O2 sensors provide feedback.
I would ask a Saab technician about what sensors might be in use during "closed-loop" vs "open-loop" and that may help you deduce the likely problem.
You could also have a bad Idle Air Controller. This device is supposed to control your idle speed. However, the fact that the car sputters when you add fuel makes it not look liek an IAC problem. When an IAC is at fault, it will generally die warm or cold, and not sputter when you add fuel.
Thanks for the advice. Yes, we did road test the car with a diagnostic computer if that is what you meant about a data-logger. It all tested good. Now the car runs slightly better than before, but it takes several tries just to get it started--and this is not cold weather starting...
I don't see any vacuum hoses that need replacing or that are not connected. I did however put some Sea Foam cleaner in the gas tank when I filled up last. Although I ran Slik 50 through the previous tank.
Can the sludge problem that I hear of be any threat? I just put half a can of Sea Foam cleaner in the crankcase also. Will have the oil changed this week.
Again thanks for your advice. I'm just puzzled and fearful that I bught someone else's problem.
-Mark :confuse:
What resolved your starting and stalling problem. I am experiencing the same issue with a 03 9-3.
Thanks,
I suppose I had a moment of hope. False hope that is. The car still runs terribly. I had a former Saab tech look at it last week and he thinks I need a new Direct Ignition Cassette. Can't afford it right now, but he thinks that should do it. Another tech--non-Saab thinks I need to get the fuel pressure checked before doing anything... Please let me know if you have any success with yours.
-Mark
olearymag
(94,000) was on the interstate and the turbo failed.
Towed 120 miles back to repair shop that just
replaced water pump, belts, tensioners and was told the turbo and engine need to be replaced.
History of car documents problems associated with recall (engine doesn't always start ....towed to dealership many times over the last 5 years
and "fixed"...last failed start was 1/09 after
driving car short distance, turned off engine
and tried to restart it about 5 minutes later.
Didn't start...had to wait about 15 minutes and it started. ll/08 head gasket was replaced.
at Saab dealership. I was told the turbo failed due to poor oil changes. The car's service history at a Saab dealership indicates that oil changes were
timely and often before the recommended mileage.
Many other Saab 9-3 owners have reported
failed engines due to oil sludge, etc.
I called the dealership and they told me it was time to buy a new car! Saab headquarters told me the
car had too many miles and was too old for them to offer any assistance.
My warranty company (MPV) and I have put
thousands of dollars into this car over the last
5 years. The dealership "documented"
repairs that should have prevented this type of failure.
My first Saab 9-3 (1987) was kept in the family
well past 250,000 miles without any major problems.
HELP....I was told an attorney would be able to
seek financial reimbursement for the expenditures made on this car..but the attorney fees would be significant.
Anyone have suggestions?
Even the best cars are not designed or intended to last forever. While many modern cars are able to go to 150,000 miles or more, there is no promise by any auto company that any individual car will do so.
Your original warranty through SAAB was for 48 months or 50,000 miles. You don't provide any information about your aftermarket warranty but any claim that you might have would depend on the terms of your agreement with them - not SAAB.
You might try to make some claim against the repair shop who had recently worked on your car, but unless they worked on the turbo system, I'd expect them to prevail against any claims. I don't believe that there is any easy way to diagnose turbo bearings that are starting to fail until they're already cooked....
The value of a 9 year old SAAB with a good engine is going to be much less than the cost of replacing your bad engine.
Sorry to be so pessimistic, but, yeah, after 9 years, you probably need a new car.
I live in Texas and am in desperate need of help with my soft top problem. Hydraulic hose “P” that connects from the cylinder on the driver’s side blew off from the fitting. My general mechanic repaired it and then instantly, a hose on the passenger side cylinder also blew from the fitting. This time, I took the car to an independent Saab mechanic. All of the hoses have lost most of the black protective coating, which exposes the nylon braiding. The mechanic said that all of the hoses need to be replaced, otherwise I will continue to blow hoses.
The dealer said that these hoses rarely fail. The mechanic has posted threads to find out if any other techs have seen this problem, but has not had any luck. One suggestion by another tech was to just replace the 2 hoses that connect to each cylinder, since they do the work.
Have you ever experienced this problem? Is it possible for the hoses to operate properly without the coating? Do you have any other tips or advice that I can pass on the mechanic?
Feel free to e-mail me at mysaabstory@sbcglobal.net
Thank you!
You are right about e-mailing Saab. It is a smart idea and worth a try. I was quoted $3,000 to replace all of the hoses! That is a big expense to absorb.
I did find some used hoses that came with several other convertible parts on Ebay for $350 and it cost $820 to have them put on. All of the hoses looked good, except one was starting to peel in the middle, but at least it isn't near the fitting. You might want to start looking for some good hoses too. If your plastic is peeling it is only a matter of time before you blow another one and it is expensive to replace them one at a time, unless you know how to do it.
Good Luck, and we will staty in touch!
Can you give me the number and possibley the name of the person that you called, so I can call them as well? I feel that we can make better progress if everyone calls the same person. I will talk to the owner of Goreki too.
Please send me the GM rep's contact info. A few well placed letters from an attorney cant hurt. Keep in touch on here. I'm fairly good at making a car MFG life miserable. (Ask Honda).
I previously owned a turbocharged car ( years ago, not a Saab ) in which the turbo itself had very limited life. The old turbocharger bearings were not water cooled, and the turbo I had was known to have a life span of 30K miles or so. I assume the Saab turbo bearings are now water cooled, but does Saab recommend using a full synthetic oil, also? High temps associated with turbos can coke regular oil.
So...anyone out there with high mile, late model Saab 9-3s - and what's the secret, if any, to long engine life?
Since changing over to synthetic oil, my 9-3 has been great and even at 160000 km, it still feels like a fairly new car. I like it so much I went out an bought a 2009 9-3 XWD Aero, as it looks like they are al bound to be collector items (and can be had for about 20% off the list prices now. What deal. Still, I love my 2000 9-3. Once you get the turbo and the electronic engine management cassette dealt with.
Good luck. 94000 miles should be nothing for a Saab.
I have new tires but they looked like they had been balanced.
I think the slight shake feels like engine related.
Does anyone have the same problems with a used Saab 9-3?
Please help.
What should I do? Where is the gear shift park sensor? Can it be 'shorted', or cooled with a bag of ice? Another discussion item on this forum suggests that the problem is high oil pressure? Is that likely, given that the pressure icon is not displayed?
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The car was towed to the dealer where they said it was the fuel pump had failed.
Has anyone else had trouble with a fuel pump after only 35K?
thanks,
Rick