1986 Saab 900 Turbo - White
Discussion
Smitters said:
I have complaints.
I got up at 5am to do some important work. It's now 6.53 and all I have to show for my trouble is a finger sander on order and a pile of work I'm yet to start.
Dammit. Love a Saab.
Ha! Sorry to impact productivity - though I am convinced that a finger sander is as necessary as a 10mm ratchet spanner and am happy to hear of another conversion to this church.I got up at 5am to do some important work. It's now 6.53 and all I have to show for my trouble is a finger sander on order and a pile of work I'm yet to start.
Dammit. Love a Saab.
bolidemichael said:
Saw this and thought of you -- not sure if you've kitted yourself out as of yet.
Starts from 7th August at Aldi
Thanks - I will go and take a look, but sent it on to my freind who welds for a living and he advised...er... second hand instead... awaiting his pick to further examination.Starts from 7th August at Aldi
The Saab, happily, ticked off another MOT after only a mild bulb change and general checkover.
This is the first time I think its not requried any actual work prior to the test or had a handful of advisories. Must have been a busy day.
...and yes, long term readers, the horn worked...!
Edited by Spinakerr on Sunday 7th August 21:44
Spinakerr said:
bolidemichael said:
Thanks - I will go and take a look, but sent it on to my freind who welds for a living and he advised...er... second hand instead... awaiting his pick to further examination.]
Last little trip for the Saab this year was to TR Autos in Yeovil.
We have been looking for a specialist to take care of the underbody crustiness, check timing, the coolant system and generally give it a good once over for a priority list.
I couldn't recommend TR Autos enough - this was really a trip to see what would be recommended, and Tommy took an hour to produce a highly comprehensive report. The overiding response of 'it's actually all ok, just some items to keep on top of' was what my wife was hoping for.
First up, the timing and general high idle/ignition worries were within spec, and apparantly about normal for this age and mileage. Just something to keep an eye on. Turbo system and all the parts of the system are in good order and performance is 'good'. Phew.
Second, the coolant system is operating correctly, the gauge in the cabin on T16s are prone to bad readings, so our 'low' needle is normal and can be rectified maybe if the dash comes out for some other work. The keen eye of Tommy picked up a bulge in the top radiator hose, one to be replaced, and also the two heater hoses that go into the bulkhead were the wrong way round. Not a concern but I'm amazed he spotted that.
Rust - we are now booked in for May to tackle the front sills, wheel arch patches and a hole in the front valance. All known about but picked up by TR as the priority and needed for the MOT. May gives us time to save up and sort out some other service items.
Overall, a great experience with a some great tips, and no pressure. It seems we have found our new expert for when my tools and experience fail the Saab...
Right, I'm off to order a hose, some bulbs and perhaps two new tyres for the rear.
We have been looking for a specialist to take care of the underbody crustiness, check timing, the coolant system and generally give it a good once over for a priority list.
I couldn't recommend TR Autos enough - this was really a trip to see what would be recommended, and Tommy took an hour to produce a highly comprehensive report. The overiding response of 'it's actually all ok, just some items to keep on top of' was what my wife was hoping for.
First up, the timing and general high idle/ignition worries were within spec, and apparantly about normal for this age and mileage. Just something to keep an eye on. Turbo system and all the parts of the system are in good order and performance is 'good'. Phew.
Second, the coolant system is operating correctly, the gauge in the cabin on T16s are prone to bad readings, so our 'low' needle is normal and can be rectified maybe if the dash comes out for some other work. The keen eye of Tommy picked up a bulge in the top radiator hose, one to be replaced, and also the two heater hoses that go into the bulkhead were the wrong way round. Not a concern but I'm amazed he spotted that.
Rust - we are now booked in for May to tackle the front sills, wheel arch patches and a hole in the front valance. All known about but picked up by TR as the priority and needed for the MOT. May gives us time to save up and sort out some other service items.
Overall, a great experience with a some great tips, and no pressure. It seems we have found our new expert for when my tools and experience fail the Saab...
Right, I'm off to order a hose, some bulbs and perhaps two new tyres for the rear.
Spinakerr said:
Last little trip for the Saab this year was to TR Autos in Yeovil.
We have been looking for a specialist to take care of the underbody crustiness, check timing, the coolant system and generally give it a good once over for a priority list.
I couldn't recommend TR Autos enough - this was really a trip to see what would be recommended, and Tommy took an hour to produce a highly comprehensive report. The overiding response of 'it's actually all ok, just some items to keep on top of' was what my wife was hoping for.
First up, the timing and general high idle/ignition worries were within spec, and apparantly about normal for this age and mileage. Just something to keep an eye on. Turbo system and all the parts of the system are in good order and performance is 'good'. Phew.
Second, the coolant system is operating correctly, the gauge in the cabin on T16s are prone to bad readings, so our 'low' needle is normal and can be rectified maybe if the dash comes out for some other work. The keen eye of Tommy picked up a bulge in the top radiator hose, one to be replaced, and also the two heater hoses that go into the bulkhead were the wrong way round. Not a concern but I'm amazed he spotted that.
Rust - we are now booked in for May to tackle the front sills, wheel arch patches and a hole in the front valance. All known about but picked up by TR as the priority and needed for the MOT. May gives us time to save up and sort out some other service items.
Overall, a great experience with a some great tips, and no pressure. It seems we have found our new expert for when my tools and experience fail the Saab...
Right, I'm off to order a hose, some bulbs and perhaps two new tyres for the rear.
Is that a bullet hole in their office window?We have been looking for a specialist to take care of the underbody crustiness, check timing, the coolant system and generally give it a good once over for a priority list.
I couldn't recommend TR Autos enough - this was really a trip to see what would be recommended, and Tommy took an hour to produce a highly comprehensive report. The overiding response of 'it's actually all ok, just some items to keep on top of' was what my wife was hoping for.
First up, the timing and general high idle/ignition worries were within spec, and apparantly about normal for this age and mileage. Just something to keep an eye on. Turbo system and all the parts of the system are in good order and performance is 'good'. Phew.
Second, the coolant system is operating correctly, the gauge in the cabin on T16s are prone to bad readings, so our 'low' needle is normal and can be rectified maybe if the dash comes out for some other work. The keen eye of Tommy picked up a bulge in the top radiator hose, one to be replaced, and also the two heater hoses that go into the bulkhead were the wrong way round. Not a concern but I'm amazed he spotted that.
Rust - we are now booked in for May to tackle the front sills, wheel arch patches and a hole in the front valance. All known about but picked up by TR as the priority and needed for the MOT. May gives us time to save up and sort out some other service items.
Overall, a great experience with a some great tips, and no pressure. It seems we have found our new expert for when my tools and experience fail the Saab...
Right, I'm off to order a hose, some bulbs and perhaps two new tyres for the rear.
It's always nice to have another professional cast their eye over a car before the test. I did a load of work to the underneath of her daily driver last week and took it over to my mate's garage for tyres, alignment (which I'd set up by eye, counting threads) and headlight adjustment. I wanted him to give it a good look over as there's always something someone else will spot that you, the owner and the person who's worked on the car could miss. Always good to get a (relatively) clean bill of health, especially for those of us who run old crocks and high-mileage machines. The three cars we have in service at the moment have a combined mileage of over 600,000 miles on them and need a bit of TLC every now and again. That's not including the 550,000 miles combined of my mother's 75 Tourer and T4 Transporter 
Cambs_Stuart said:
Are TR doing the welding or have you found someone closer to home?
Always good when the professionals don't find too much wrong...
Yep they're doing it, and then depending on what else is uncovered it will be going off for a lick of paint on the current main eyesore panels.Always good when the professionals don't find too much wrong...
mercedeslimos said:
It's always nice to have another professional cast their eye over a car before the test. I did a load of work to the underneath of her daily driver last week and took it over to my mate's garage for tyres, alignment (which I'd set up by eye, counting threads) and headlight adjustment.
Once I find a garage I can trust, absolutely. I am lucky to have Phil from Alfacraft nearby for the 164, but sadly Tony in Taunton retired for the Saab, and NDS are too busy to ever really check it through thoroughly. Tommy and the team at TR got the nod from my wife, so as its her car it'll be with them for the major jobs I can't do.nismo48 said:
A quick oil change at nearly 207k, 10w40 Millers in, new filter from Saabits. I almost rounded off the sump plug so need to order another for next time. it seems to be worn to a roughly 12.5mm, so next time could be a lovely round of sweary bachache to get right.
Changeing oil on the Saab is typically counterintuitive in task difficult - the drain plug and oil can be accessed without jacking up or even kneeling down:
The oil filter, while a spin on variety and small, is nestled in a very awkward position thanks to a the ongoing evolution of turbos, cooling systems, vacuum hoses and the like fromt he original design. I use my slimmest oil filter grabber and get about 15mm of cercumferal movement at a time, then towel everything off to get purchase with a rubber glove.
3.8 litres back in and the 900 is set for the first half of 2023.
The 900 continues to turbo its way around the country, and I am working my way through the list of advisories from TR Autos as parts and time turn up.
Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
Fortunately Nelson's previous ministrations meant things were not seized.
Uh oh. That looks more like a recalcitrant caliper with commitment issues than enthusiastic use.
I think this points to a caliper rebuild. Entirely expected, given occasional screeching noises and all the front handbrake adjustments, but one to add to the list. The calipers didn't demonstrate any real issues as the new TRW pads went in...
Other side was fine - plenty of meat on the pads on both sides, but I replaced them anyway.
The wash/wipe function was getting intermittent according to the owner - pump was fine, just the stalk that looked to be acting up. A few torx bits later...
Check out the gold dust.... 206k of steering action....! "All my life I have been in love with its colour, Mr. Bond..."
A reseating of connectors and slight lubrication seemed to restore proper operation. Fluid topped off and jets realigned. All set.
Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
Fortunately Nelson's previous ministrations meant things were not seized.
Uh oh. That looks more like a recalcitrant caliper with commitment issues than enthusiastic use.
I think this points to a caliper rebuild. Entirely expected, given occasional screeching noises and all the front handbrake adjustments, but one to add to the list. The calipers didn't demonstrate any real issues as the new TRW pads went in...
Other side was fine - plenty of meat on the pads on both sides, but I replaced them anyway.
The wash/wipe function was getting intermittent according to the owner - pump was fine, just the stalk that looked to be acting up. A few torx bits later...
Check out the gold dust.... 206k of steering action....! "All my life I have been in love with its colour, Mr. Bond..."
A reseating of connectors and slight lubrication seemed to restore proper operation. Fluid topped off and jets realigned. All set.
Spinakerr said:
The 900 continues to turbo its way around the country, and I am working my way through the list of advisories from TR Autos as parts and time turn up.
Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
Scissor Jack? Rear brake pads were 'close to minimum', which is annoying as NDS had only replaced.... 4 years ago. Oh well, maybe I should take a look.
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