MY TRUSTY SAAB 900

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Sun 28 Jan 2001 11:52
MY TRUSTY SAAB 900 - Mike Charlesworth
Good moaning! My Saab has a slow leak in the radiator system and the "Coolant Level Low" message reminds me to top it up - which I do there and then. The Saab dealer wants me to bring it in and have a very expensive radiator repair whereas I would prefer to:

a. Keep topping up the radiator until the annual service is due in mid February. and/or,

b. Use Radwell to solve the problem - naturally the Saab dealer gave a hightly plausible reason for not doing this (in case he didn't have to charge me for a "new" radiator in February!?

This is my first foray onto the Internet and I will be greatly impressed to receive a reply!
Regards
Mike.
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Sun 28 Jan 2001 13:24
RE: MY TRUSTY SAAB 900 - Bill Davies
Many Saab owners swear by a product called Bar's Leaks, which I think you can get at Halfords. Particularly, this helps protect against heater core leaks which can lead to expensive repairs - very like Radweld, I guess. I think it is unlikely to cause any problems, but if you do need a new radiator, so be it! I have a 9000 so often look at the US- based The Saab Network bulletin board on www.saabnet.com - there is a 900 board with lots of expertise from Europe and the States. Goo luck!
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Sun 28 Jan 2001 21:32
RE: MY TRUSTY SAAB 900 - dafydd tomos
It's worth checking that the loss of coolant is not due to a Head Gasket Failure. They usually go at around 120k. Mine went without any other signs (i.e Mayonnaise on oil filler cap) - I think that a compression test is the best way to diagnose the fault. Replacing the gasket and skimming the head cost me around £450.00 - . Otherwise if you are sure that it is the radiator you should be able to get one from German&Swedish or Euro car parts for around £90.00 and fitting should take no more than three to four hours.

I'm assuming that yours is the 'classic' pre 93 model.

Another good US website for Saabs is TowsendImports.com Mike Charlesworth wrote:
>
> Good moaning! My Saab has a slow leak in the radiator system
> and the "Coolant Level Low" message reminds me to top it up -
> which I do there and then. The Saab dealer wants me to bring
> it in and have a very expensive radiator repair whereas I would
> prefer to:
>
> a. Keep topping up the radiator until the annual service is
> due in mid February. and/or,
>
> b. Use Radwell to solve the problem - naturally the Saab
> dealer gave a hightly plausible reason for not doing this (in
> case he didn't have to charge me for a "new" radiator in
> February!?
>
> This is my first foray onto the Internet and I will be greatly
> impressed to receive a reply!
> Regards
> Mike.
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Sun 28 Jan 2001 22:27
website-correction - dafydd tomos
The actual address for the website is townsendimports.com
Another good source of info is NeoBrothers- (neobrothers.co.uk) who specialise in breaking and mending Saab's -
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