I own a 1998 95 which has recently had the fuel pump replaced. I now experience fumes in the cabin which don't smell that much, but they tend to coat my tongue??? I have lifted the back seat, all good there. There was some leakage around the air intake to the fuel injection system (the rubber hose clamp was loose) which I have fixed but the fumes are still there.

Could the air filter for the air conditioning become impregnated with fuel?

I have had plenty of looks but am still scatching my head. Could it be exhaust? anys

You should be able to rule out the air filter and air conditioning by turning them off, and waiting to see if the smell (well, taste) still persists after a couple minutes.

Thanks Mike, I'll let you know how it goes!

How long has been since you replaced the cabin air filter? Those are cheap and relatively easy to replace, could be the culprit if the smell and taste persists only with the air on.

I turned the A/C off and this helped a bit but it is still there. It's got me buggered! (Australian term for bewildered!)

Hmmmm. Now I'd probably take out the air filter (both cabin and engine) and check to see if they smell. If not, it's possible you have a small exhaust leak or something that is in the engine compartment and getting sucked into your air conditioning.

Where is the engine air filter located? I know where the cabin one is.
I replaced the turbo in it just before Christmas ( and did a sump clean while I was at it) so there was some exhaust tampering, but I thought it all went back OK.

Ifr you could let me know where to find the engine A/C filter, I'd appreciate it.

I'm not sure how to get to it (someone will), but I'm pretty sure it dips down in front of the front right wheel. So you'll either have to pop off the front wheel and peel back the wheel well liner, or it will pull out the top. I don't know...

Thanks Mike, I'll have a look at it, possibly over the weekend. Thanks for your help!

I can't really think why it would cause the cabin to smell, but I figured it's worth a check.

When I had the fuel pump replaced, the mechanic took the large rubber hose which goes into the fuel injection system off to spray some fuel in to see if this was the problem. The second mechanic who did the change-over was not aware that he had done this and so pressurised fuel from the turbo vented from the loose connection.

I thought this would be the end of it once I'd retightened the clamp, but no.

This is why I think the filters might be 'impregnated' with fuel. I'll get some more filters and change them anyway!

Cheers again for your help!

Originally Posted by joegoss

Where is the engine air filter located?

As Shazam mentioned, it is in front of the right front wheel. It needs to be changed out from the bottom but you don't need to remove anything else.

Saab 9-5 engine air filter replacement/change

Thanks Frank! This is a really handy site!

If you own a Saab!

I have found where the smell was coming from! The grommet on the crankcase / rocker-cover hose had perished. Fixed!