Coolant leak

[Niknaks]

Hi all. Now I have found a new coolant leak!
It is the classic one near the waterpump. It only leaks when the car is standing and cold!? What is that about? All suggestions will be helpful.

[Shazam]

Hmmm... I'm not sure about when it's only cold. But I do know that it is typically the O-rings that go bad.

Not sure where you get your parts in South Africa, but it's normally one of these O-rings...
eEuroparts - Water pump O-ring - # 9146606
eEuroparts - O-ring - # 9146598

[Niknaks]

Shazam. Cold I mean when the engine is not warm, not the weather! It will leak on the ground during the night?! I cant see a leak from the top. It is not a hose that is visible from the top and I have not been able to get under. This is on my to do list for the morning.
There is no sign of leaking into the top or anywhere else.
Otherwise it goes like a rocket!
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[nordwulf]

I had something similar on my 9-5 but it went away when the weather got warmer.

This was advice from someone else:

MillerMan had the same problem on his 9-5. Just a few drops of coolant after parking the car, same spot as Wulf describes.
It was solved by retightening the coolant hose jubilee clips.

http://saabworld.net/f9/coolant-leak...610/#post10599

[Niknaks]

Frank, yes, I am banking on that it is just something that needs a tightening. I just spent money on the sump fix nr6 and had the sump cleaned good so I do not want to spend more shells on a waterpump!
I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the help so far.

[Niknaks]

Morning all.
I spent some hours under the car trying to find the leak. It seems to be coming from somewhere where the waterpump meets the block. Cant really see in there and was hoping that I could shrink my head! I will have to take it to the dealer as I am not equiped to take all the stuff off to get to the pump.
It only leaks when engine is cold and it is clean coolant. O ring me thinks.

[Niknaks]

Hi.
I took it in to the dealership and they confirmed the waterpump is the problem. Problem now is to get it as there is a back order for it!!

[nordwulf]

Is it backordered just in South Africa or worldwide? Perhaps you can you get an aftermarket part. The eEuroparts website shows Hepu makes one for the 9-3.

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=8822793H

[Niknaks]

Hi Frank
Not sure about the worldwide backorder. Here it is on backorder maybe because there are not so many SAAB,s on the road. I dont think it will take more than a week to get. The dealer has a central store in another city.
I have to go through the agent because I bought a motorplan when I got the car and they will only pay for the repairs at an authorised dealer., The repair will cost just about what I paid for the motorplan, so I am happy.

Part and labour will come to USD670.00. Labour is about USD 80 per hour for interest sake.

[Niknaks]

Hi all. The new pump is installed and no leaks. Now it is the open road that waits!
Except, warning light for airbag is now on!!