Hello,

I've been noticing some steam rising from the grille of my 1992 900 S (NA).
This happens exactly once per drive, lasts roughly 30 seconds, and coincides
with the engine approaching operating temperature (and thus presumably the
thermostat opening). It is most pronounced when it is raining (probably due to
rainwater on the radiator evaporating), but occurs in dry conditions also,
leading me to suspect coolant involvement. Any loss of coolant, however, is too
subtle to notice at the expansion tank.

I have a pressure tester, but I doubt it would be helpful due to the brief
window during which the steam is released.

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,

John

in article slrncrbhn4.3d4.rotten_NOSPAM_ (AT) o...T) example.com, John B at
rotten_NOSPAM_ (AT) ccil (DOT) org wrote on 07/12/2004 15:06:

Hi there!

You've answered your own question here. It's normal ... All classic 900s do
this. Don't worry about it. It's quite unnerving when you first see it, not
to mention embarrassing. Since you only notice it if you're stationary and,
as you say, only for a few second I usually pull up quite close behind the
car infront and pretend it's their exhaust

Nah! It's normal. Wait another 50,000 miles or so and replace the radiator.
It's a hunded odd quid part and actually kind of fun to replace on a nice
winter weekend.

Nothing to worry about ... Like the clunk when engaging reverse

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
http://saab.go.dyndns.org/

On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 20:31:15 GMT, Paul Halliday wrote:
Ah, very interesting. I've been driving this particular car for 10 years, and
I've never noticed it before the last couple months. But if you say it's
normal, that's good enough for me. Perhaps it is only normal for post-120k mile
900s?

I must confess to being tempted to do this also

Sounds good to me. Out of curiosity though, what causes this steam? Does a bit
of coolant leak from the thermostat as it opens? I've been unable to pinpoint
the exact source, since I'm always driving when it happens.

Thanks,
John

It sounds like there's just enough pressure built up right before the
thermostat opens to send some steam out through a slightly leaky gasket or hose
connection. Rubber does get brittle with age.
I'd probably dump in some Barrs Stop Leak if you aren't already running it and
see if that stops it.

laurak (AT) madmousergraphics (DOT) com
http://www.madmousergraphics.com
web design, print design, photography

Paul Halliday wrote:

That clunk when engaging reverse is something to worry about. The local
Saab shop has a gear with rounded teeth on display - rounded from
clunking into reverse. Put in third gear, then reverse - you have no
no more clunk :-)

in article 41B667FD.4040907 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com, ma_twain at ma_twain (AT) yahoo (DOT) com wrote
on 08/12/2004 02:33:

Good tip - I've heard it's because there is no synchro on the reverse. I've
not had a problem since my gearbox rebuild, but I'll certainly remember the
third gear tip.

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
http://saab.go.dyndns.org/

in article slrncrcadj.3s3.rotten_NOSPAM_ (AT) o...T) example.com, John B at
rotten_NOSPAM_ (AT) ccil (DOT) org wrote on 07/12/2004 22:07:

There's always a time when a part starts to break down. In this case, it's
the hosing to the radiator. Most likely the top hose. If you were to look
under to bonnet and squeeze the top hose when it's warm, I doubt any kind of
leak would be present. It happens when the thermostat first opens. The good
thing about SAABs is that when something fails, it usually goes gradually.
Have a look at the condition of the radiator and replace when necessary,
along with the hoses.

I've had three C900s now - the first two were over 150,000 miles and 125,000
miles when I bought them and both had this problem. My current 900 was about
90,000 miles when I bought is and this is the first winter I've noticed this
behaviour (120,000 miles at the mo'). My radiator is in a bad state and
there are tell-tale signs of coolant leak at the top hose, although I cannot
get the top hose to leak by squeezing/pumping it.

My first C900 had a puncture in the top hose, which slushed water all over
the turbo! When I opened the bonnet, a column of steer soared from the car
and covered the road. What a stink burning anti-freeze is!

It's as the thermostat opens - your engine top hose will have a slight leak
when the thermostat first opens and the system is under the most pressure. I
have also heard that water evaporating off the oil cooler (on turbo models)
when the oil thermostat opens gives the same effect, but I've only ever
noticed either wisps on the LHS of the car on a dry day or a more general
smoke from the radiator in snow or rain. I suppose it's logical to think
that perhaps any moisture on the radiator is also evaporated off, giving a
wider spread of steam in wetter weather.

Paul

1989 900 Turbo S
http://saab.go.dyndns.org/

"Paul Halliday" <pjgh.smtp_relay (AT) blueyonder (DOT) co.uk> wrote

If it clunks going into reverse I would think the clutch is binding. Of
course if you start the car without holding in the clutch then go straight
to reverse pretty much any manual gearbox will clunk, but holding the clutch
in for a few seconds should prevent that.

James Sweet wrote:
already in reverse (and the clutch pressed down!) since this is the
parking position when the key can be removed from the car. Thus the
clunk problem is mostly noticeable during parking manoevres and alike.

--
th

Hi,
my gearbox is quite noisy / worn, and I can even HEAR the gears coming to a
stop 2-3 seconds after pressing down the clutch. This only happens if I
press the clutch COMPLETELY to the floor.
Shifting into reverse is smooth then.

If I shift into reverse before they stop turning then "CLUNK"! (Capitals on
purpose ...

Richard.