angle Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Dammit, I really don't want to be the person to kill off a forum car, but it looks like I am. This is a quick post on a train between work meetings, but the Saab has been shedding coolant at a more alarming rate than normal and the verdict is in - heat exchanger in the bank of the V has failed, which has taken the head gasket out. I'll do a more detailed post with its many other faults later, but does anyone want it for scrap value, ideally before the insurance runs out on the 16th? It drives, but it shat out enough coolant from full to put the warning light on in the 2 mile drive to the garage this morning, so not very far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucketeer Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig the Princess Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Nooooooooooo! Where is it now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucketeer Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Angle is in Bristol I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Oh bummer. Someone save this, it's a lovely car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Jimmy Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Dammit, It drives, but it shat out enough coolant from full to put the warning light on in the 2 mile drive to the garage this morning, so not very far...Snap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 How much of a job is this? Would be a shame to see it scrapped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angle Posted January 8, 2019 Author Share Posted January 8, 2019 Right, so some more details: Saab 900 V6 cabrio auto, quite posh in its day (it cost the same as a TVR Chimera would have done, a long time ago)MOT until the end of July120k-ishI sorted the hood, which now (mostly) goes up and down, if its sat for a while it sometimes needs a helping hand along the wayIt had enough welding to go through the MOT (about 200 miles ago) that I'm not going to mention how much it cost in case I start crying. I also won't mention the new battery it got just before Christmas in case I start punching myself in the face. However: Head gasket: fucked. Heat exchanger: fucked. Radiator: leaky. Gearbox: tempremental (I reckon about 20% of the time I use it, it throws up a 'check gearbox' message). Headlight wipers: turned off by gadgetgricey, the luddite. My attempt at fixing the damage where someone drove into it the month after I got it: laughable. Don't apply filler in the snow, kids. It also has various other issues which I can run down if anyone is serious about taking it on, but I think it's at a stage where you'd need to be brave / mental / on here to make it work. As I say, insurance runs out on the 16th so I sort of need to decide on its fate before then, but if someone is interested and needs me to hold on to it I can stick it on my inlaws drive for a bit, probably. I'm in Bristol, pretty central. Photos to follow when I'm next near it in daylight. Thursday lunchtime? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadgetgricey Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Headlight wipers: turned off by gadgetgricey, the luddite. Harsh, but fair. Best not remind everyone I also fitted heat seat switches , on a car that does not have heated seats. mk2_craig, HillmanImp, purplebargeken and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamworthbay Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 That does sound expensive even parts wise to sort but if anyone could save it then chances are they are here. Alan_Green 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CortinaDave Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 I must admit that list would make it bridge fodder in my hands too. All good things come to an end etc... Id be whipping the new battery back off though gadgetgricey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Moog Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Harsh, but fair. Best not remind everyone I also fitted heat seat switches , on a car that does not have heated seats.like leaving a roses tub with just sewing stuff on the side... build up the hopes then crush them. gadgetgricey, Cavcraft, chadders and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiC Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 What colour is the ATF? I.e. is the coolant and ATF mixing? If so, likely past saving as will need a lot of the drivetrain replacing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djimbob Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Oh dear, I did like this until the roof decided it would rather stay where it was That is a big list of problems, and there are cheap examples around with full test for much less than the costs of repairs last time I looked, it seems this poor thing needs to go to the breakers so others may live on more readily! I so enjoyed the top down experience when owning this that I recently bought a Pug 206cc, which so far has needed a new rear axle, brake pads and discs, front wishbones and various bits and bobs, and will need a windscreen for the test which is mercifully half a year or so away - which makes the Saab look cheap and my P38 range rover positively reliable eddyramrod 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty998 Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 I know a chap who gets £200 for original Saab Cats, so if all else fails part it out if you have the space and you will still get good money with what's left,It is always a sad time when car has to go that way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Bo11ox Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Defo time for a squashing I think CortinaDave and Kringle 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angle Posted January 9, 2019 Author Share Posted January 9, 2019 A few really quick photos from where I dumped it round the corner from the garage just now (last time I tried to drive it back from there at 8am it took 55 minutes to do 2 miles, and that was in the school holidays...) Autoshite body repair ltd, although the frost is covering its true glory - note to self, remember to flat down paint before applying lacquer, you moron: R9UKE and eddyramrod 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddyramrod Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 Still looks lovely, given that it's what, 23 years old now? Please someone, save it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bren Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 RIP. Cheggers, CortinaDave, HillmanImp and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angle Posted January 11, 2019 Author Share Posted January 11, 2019 Ok, a final bump for this as even the local Saab parts place isn't interested... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talbot Posted January 11, 2019 Share Posted January 11, 2019 How hard would it be to locate another engine and gearbox combo from something being scrapped due to galloping rot, and swap them out? Given that the vast majority of issues appear to be confined to the engine/box, that would seem to be the easiest thing to do. Even buying a rotten-but-drives-well V6 hardtop car complete might make a cheap fix? I'd love to do it. Zero space for another vehicle though. eddyramrod and Burnside 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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