Ownership Verified: My Topless Swedish Model

Glad to hear it's fixed, I knew there must be air getting in somewhere. I wonder how much power you gained with that, it was never exactly slow on the roadtrip.

I agree it looks much cleaner without those SE badges. :)
 
Well the biggest difference isn't that it pulls harder (it does a bit, but not as much as Kip's 310hp one did :p) but it pulls hard all the way through the revs (and gets harder towards the top end). Good fun indeed, but mostly illegal.

I can't wait until we're back on the autobahns for some acceleration and topspeed tests. :lol:
 
Matt2000 said:
Glad to hear it's fixed, I knew there must be air getting in somewhere. I wonder how much power you gained with that, it was never exactly slow on the roadtrip.
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This. I'll miss the TURBOBOOSTNOISE[SUP]TM[/SUP] though. :p
 
Mine is a relatively quick version. Aeros had 200hp, Viggens 230, mine had 185hp. Yeah its a bit far off a Viggen, but once I get it chipped mine will easily hit 230hp. Saabs are insane performance for the value.

DaBoom said:
This. I'll miss the TURBOBOOSTNOISE[SUP]TM[/SUP] though. :p
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Well I'm sure we can loosen up a few bolts to bring it back... :p I'll chuck you the keys again this summer... :ninja:
 
Davetouch said:
Mine is a relatively quick version. Aeros had 200hp, Viggens 230, mine had 185hp. Yeah its a bit far off a Viggen, but once I get it chipped mine will easily hit 230hp. Saabs are insane performance for the value.
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Did they all use the same engine/turbocharger with a different mapping for the variants?
 
Pfft mine was genuine. Also the dump valve sounds a lot clearer now. So less TURBOPOWERNOISE[SUP]TM[/SUP] and more choo-choo noises :D :lol:

Oh and the thermostat has completely gone now so it doesn't properly warm up. Just in time for winter. <_<
 
Geez, that faker is a really crappy imitation. Either that or the Saab 4-cyl turbo system is just very very vocal. I know mine is. :D
 
So I finally changed the oil. Did the plugs/filters last weekend, but forgot the oil. :rolleyes: Hence done now. Also did the rocker cover gasket since there was a bit of a leak. Still needs a bit of sealant around a part which I think is the actual source of the leak and is a separate O-Ring (but may as well seal it since its a fixed piece).

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No signs of the engine-killing sludge up here either :D Nice to know that its all good.

And loving the engine again; its smooth and quiet. Silkily so thanks to the new oil. No more silly Roadtrip-mix of 3 different brands of oil. :p I'll get it up to temperature tomorrow and have a good listen around the engine bay for noises.

Finally; took a co-worker home in it. Floored it in 2nd and his reaction was 'WOW. Was not expecting that'. Sleeper mode activated... :ph34r:
 
You just wait. This summer there was no torque-steer. Now there is all of the torque-steer. :driving:
 
So yeah just checked everything off, and including purchase, insurance, tax as well as parts, I've broken the ?3000 mark... :| Yay?

Main things still left to buy/do;
- Many suspension bushings/parts (already own the shocks and springs)
- Brakes (Discs, Pads, Lines & Fluid)
- Coolant/Thermostat
- Gear knob (I actually ordered one but got a call saying they wouldn't be in stock for another 2 weeks so had them remove it from the order and just send the service parts)
- Exhaust
- Fit Exhaust manifold gaskets (both head and turbo ends; should completely stop the blowing)
- Needs taxing again at the end of this month; ?123 for the privilege.

Still; had the roof off for the first time in a while. Mmmmm dat cabrio.
 
And yet it still cost way less than what you'd pay for a similar 9-3 convertible here. Screw your used car market!
 
So this weekend's goings on; planned to change over the failed one-way valves in the vacuum system along with the tubes with silicone stuff. In the process of removing the first tube, I broke the nipple it was attached to. Great. New APC (boost control) valve; ?5 from a breakers yard. It did mean I had to drive a bit without a wastegate so I took it easy as I didn't really want to experience RIDICULOUSBOOST before hitting fuel cut-off which is the ECU going 'HA no.'

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Now which one is my old one...? Got lucky with that as I was already heading to my old town where the breakers is, and they had a 9-5 which has the same engine :) The rubber mount was split on mine so that was an extra bonus. And finally a second hand one from the Saab specialist is ?15. Breakers win again!

Another recent issue I've been having is piss poor fuel economy. Normally I've been getting around 30mpg (9.4l/100km) but my last tank gave up 19mpg (14.9l/100km). Not that different driving style but whatever. Thought I'd clean my Mass Air Flow sensor - so a ?4 spray from Halfords and it was done easily. Went for a drive and all was fine - too short a drive to notice any fuel differences. Then went to drive back home and after 10 miles the best light anyone can see on their dashboard.

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Hmm... To say my heart sank was an understatement. I pulled over (not really wanting to since it was dark and I was on one of the fastest motorways I know) and turned it off/on again and checked underneath etc. Nothing obvious, so I drove home very carefully; no sign of a limp home mode or low power :dunno:

Just got back and reset the ECU (forgot to do it after cleaning the MAF) and the light has gone away, but we'll see if it returns tomorrow when I drive to work. If it does then I'll plug it into the code reader. If it doesn't then I probably will anyway.

Oh and there's a nasty whine coming from I believe the gearbox, and the auxiliary belt still looks terrible and I noticed some cracking on the inside, so will have to get that changed soon. Maybe next weekend. But the gearbox I reckon needs a change of oil as it just sounds a bit grumbly. Also the gearchanges aren't as smooth as they should be really.

So yeah every time I try and fix something; something else breaks. One day I will have fixed everything. One day. :|
 
Very common CEL activator in these is a faulty DI cassette. But get those codes read and you'll know a lot more.
 
Yeah I'm aware of that; its just its highly unlikely to be the DI pack when I've just removed/cleaned the MAF. Alas no light nor codes have shown up with the short drive to work and the supermarket. Not up to motorway speeds either, which may be a contributing factor so may have to take it out on the open road to see if it flags up again.

Hopefully its the end of the CEL though; just need to get the gearbox oil and the aux belt changed. Might be tempted to get quotes on getting someone else to do it... There is a college garage nearby...
 
Davetouch said:
Oh and there's a nasty whine coming from I believe the gearbox, and the auxiliary belt still looks terrible and I noticed some cracking on the inside, so will have to get that changed soon. Maybe next weekend. But the gearbox I reckon needs a change of oil as it just sounds a bit grumbly. Also the gearchanges aren't as smooth as they should be really.
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Got the college garage to do it; ?87.97 including fitting and VAT for the gearbox oil and aux belt with tensioners.

The noise hasn't gone away (although I'm sure its gotten quieter) but the changes are smoother. Damnit what is making a whining noise? :(

E: A bit of quick googling seems to point to it being the input shaft bearing. Or maybe some other bearing. Either way I'm going with the 'deal with it' method of fixing things. I don't have the money right now to sort it so it'll have to survive (and yes I do have recovery cover). At least its got fresh oil.
 
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Davetouch said:
Either way I'm going with the 'deal with it' method of fixing things.
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This is the approach I'm taking with the leaking and whining rear differential on the Disco, so far it's working out fine. :lol:
 
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