[colind]

Here's the story. Saab 9000CD 1992 185K miles, excellent history. In the last 2 weeks I have put on a new drive belt,installed a new regulator in the alternator,put new brushes in the starter motor etc etc. Anyway at idle it's smoking. Not on the move and not when cold. Only at operating temperature and whilst idling. I tried holding a cleenex near the exhaust to see if the tissue would disentegrate thus indicating water(head gasket probs) of course it didn't.Smoke still looks more white than blue so any ideas. I tried earlier today changing the oil and adding 1 litre of lucas oil stablizer at 20% strength in the hope that this would at least reduce what I presume is blowby. No real difference after taking it for a run The car is rapidly becoming the proverbial moneybox but don't get me wrong I still like it but with pragmatism in mind, is it time to get shot?? Is there anything simple that could be causing the symptoms rather than oil seals et al? Of course if I do get rid of it I will be getting another Saab, of that there is no doubt.

 

[cdcarlsson]

Just a guess, could it be the turbo?? If so perhaps it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Nick.

 

[9000CS23T]

Are any of your levels going down? If you reckon the smoke is white it does sound moer like the headgasket, I've had two go in this way.

 

[colind]

Thanks for the replies. It's a non turbo btw. Neil did yours have exactly the same symptoms as mine?

 

[9000CS23T]

Basically yes, coolant was going down as well, but it would smoke badly on idle and pull away. Once you got a bit of revs, the smoke stopped. This is due to the pressure in the cylinders.

 

[colind]

Thanks.Now the most important bit...how much can I expect to pay for the job?

 

[9000CS23T]

That all depends on labour rates where you are. It's a labour intensive job. Try getting a few quotes, see which is best and what you think of their attitude.

 

[colind]

Tried a few independents. Two out of three not interested...must have too much work...great customer service eh? Another who has worked on 9000s has quoted £150 for the labour or £200 if head skimmed. Seems reasonable? I will be supplying the Europarts bought gasket set.

 

[potto]

You should find someone with the right gear to analyse the coolant for combustion gases - quite common so shouldn't be hard. That way you'll know for sure before you part with £££ to get the head gasket done, when it might still be something else.

 

[AlanG]

To give an idea of dealer costs, I had the water pump and head gasket done by Valley Saab in Tunbridge Wells (the head had an oil leak from the ususal corner but it was being done under warranty) and the all in cost was around £850!!! IIRC the water pump costs about £60 so the head gasket and labour made the rest. Thankfully I only had to pay an 'excess' of about £150.

 

[9000CS23T]

Originally posted by fliptop:
[qb]You should find someone with the right gear to analyse the coolant for combustion gases - quite common so shouldn't be hard.  That way you'll know for sure before you part with £££ to get the head gasket done, when it might still be something else. [/qb][/b]

Doesn't always work, I sniff tested my CS when the head gasket was gone and it didn't show anything up. The only signs were coolant going down slowly, white smoke on idle and a very sweet smell from the exhaust - burning coolant.

 

[9000CS23T]

Originally posted by colind:
[qb]Tried a few independents. Two out of three not interested...must have too much work...great customer service eh? Another who has worked on 9000s has quoted £150 for the labour or £200 if head skimmed. Seems reasonable? I will be supplying the Europarts bought gasket set. [/qb][/b]

If you are supplying the parts, £150-200 sounds pretty reasonable to me. At the end of the day, any decent garage should be able to do the job with ease, it's only a head gasket.

 

[CarlyKeith]

Scuse my ignorance but, if you have no white/grey mess on the dip stick and no loss of fluid ,could it not be put down to damp cold weather an more moisture in the air. How mant NEW cars do you see at lights with white smoke coming from the exhaust?