1996 Saab 9000 CSE DD Project
So here's my 1996 Saab 9000 CSE. Planned on starting one of these threads awhile back when I got her, but just didn't have the time.
Sitting pretty at 197k.
Replaced my 1999 Saab 9-3 - Pretty much base model with leather, heated seats, and sunroof, and fogs. Got hit in the rear on the side and the insurance company totaled it - it had some mechanical/engine issues so I let her go.
So first things first, got her home and in the first week this happened....
Two words - heater core. Went ahead and bypassed it. Seemed like a smart idea at the time, until I'm 5 minutes away from home and I see my temperature gauge flying up. Well - my bypass went bust. This turned out to be caused by the rad fan not coming on (didn't find this out until later). It had heated up the coolant and melted my bypass. And this caused the first major issue with my 9000 (yes - all user error here) - the head gasket.
So I went and bought the head-gasket and etc online - let my local Saab/Volvo indie shop handle it - it wasn't an outrageous expense - they claimed no machining had to be done to the head - so I was back on the road.....until I'm headed home on the highway and smoke starts to come out of my engine bay. First thought was me just burning off what went into my muffler system - and all that - but no....I'll come back to the real cause later.
But this does bring us back to the rad fan, which as I thought - was not coming on - the indie shop - for whatever reason didn't see this when the car was in - I wasn't too upset - I caught it before we had another destroyed head-gasket. Turned out to be the Fan Relay - simple fix - and again back on the road!
Replaced both motor mounts (bottom ones, since top seemed fine) and was advised by a buddy to get the right front axle assembly replaced, so had him replace that. Night and day difference! No clunk under acceleration, and nothing when I turn the wheel full lock (other than my tires rubbing a little on the plastic wheel-well.).
Back on the road - and smoke starting to come out from underneath the car when stopping, and creating a smoke screen while on the highway (I assumed people just thought I was James Bond :laugh: ) Well after propping it up on the weekend - don't have any time during the week - and plus it's dark by that time....
The turbo oil return line gasket must have heated up and pretty much disintegrated when the heater core went....
So went ahead and ordered all the gaskets for the turbo from eeuroparts, received them in a day, but again had to wait until the weekend to get to work.
My god was it a bitch in that limited space to get that off - I really did not want to take the whole turbo out of there - maybe it would have been quicker - lol! I only replaced the turbo return line's gasket to be assured it was this and not another gasket on the turbo, and ta-dah - it was as I assumed....luckily, now I can just keep the other gaskets as backups for the others.
Also, had some minor issues with overboost - possibly caused by a vacuum leak - so I went and replaced most of the vacuum lines.
With a little Swedish pride....plans on more of that color scheme when more mechanical/electrical stuff has been completed.
Now after owning her for about 3 months - or a little bit more, she's been a handful, but when she runs - she runs like a bat out of hell....I'm seriously trying to find a reason for me to not call this the best Saab I've owned....even with the number of issues I've had. The speed, the handling, and the overall comfort - even with shocks/springs that aren't so forgiving.
This is what I'm planning to do in the near future....
Figure out the central locking system - remote locks/unlocks some days, as well as the key in the driver's door - one day 100% there, and the next non-functioning
Eliminate the radio-alternator whine - again one issue that rears its ugly head one day - and won't affect the radio for a week sometimes
Replace the Fuel Filter. - Just ordered 11/29
Replace the Air and Cabin Filters - Ordered new Air Filter 12/01
Buy a replacement DI Cassette - not sure when this one will bite the bullet.
And if anybody knows - Fix the telescoping steering wheel - it doesn't lock at all.
200K Mile Preventative Maintenance -
Clean throttle body
Check drive belt condition and tension incl. tensioner. Replace as necessary
Check condition of cooling hoses - Possibly replace with silicone
Check manual gearbox oil level
Check brake pads and discs, Check brake lines and hoses for damage or leaks
Check and change brake fluid
Check steering joints and ball-joints for play and gaiter integrity
Check dampers and bushes for integrity and condition
Check power steering fluid level
Check/adjust/lubricate doors, bonnet, tailgate, etc. and door keeps
