Hi
I say coolant loss as I can't find an external leak.
I have read all sorts on the tinterweb but can't find an answer.
I have changed the header tank and cap, also pressure tested the system and found no leaks.
It still uses a tea cup full every 500 miles or so.
Any ideas?
External or internal leak on the Turbo? Any white smoke on cold start up?
No. The car is smoke fee.
Had a similar problem with my MY2000 9-5 which has done a fair few miles.
Basically the rad was fooked - I presume that over time the differential expansion/contraction between the ali rad and the plastic tanks meant it was
initially weeping and then leaking out of sight from the crimped end seals.
Bought one on fleabay from a SAAB specialist for c.£80 and it looked very much like the OE one I took off.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe10 
[Edited on 2/10/14 by pewe]
A small water leak from a hot pressurised radiator instantly flashes off instantly into dry steam, dry steam is invisible like any other gas.
The best way to find a small leak is to pressurise the complete cooling system when cold to just below the radiator cap blow off pressure (usually
1.4 to 1.8. Bar). I use an adapted cylinder leakdown tester simply connected with a T connector to a small bore hose going into the header tank.
..or go and see a mate locally who has a cooling system pressure tester 
My 2.3 saab 95 had a similar problem, turned out to be a small plastic valve on the back of the engine, only cost about £20.
If I remember correctly, it was dripping on the manifold slightly so I never saw any wet patches on the floor.
quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
..or go and see a mate locally who has a cooling system pressure tester
I've had cars with coolant leaks that haven't shown up using a pressure tester which I've found by using a dye in the coolant that shows up under ultra violet light. IIRC the dye I've used was made by Ring Automotive
Have a look here
http://fixmysaab.com/9-5_repair/cbv/step1.asp?nsteps=2&nointro=1
quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
Have a look here
http://fixmysaab.com/9-5_repair/cbv/step1.asp?nsteps=2&nointro=1
Damn !
Good luck with the hunt then :-)
Happy to run a second pair of eyes over it if you don't find anything. A teacup in 500miles isn't a lot and is probably just evaporating. It will leave a pink stain behind in time.
Cheers Adi
I will have another look this weekend. If I don't find anything I will give you a bell.
there are not may places to check on saabs.
water pump shaft and seal to the block plus return pipe from heater matrix to pump.
pipes feeding the turbo. these are hard to spot as turbo end they burn off instantly.
intake warmer pipes (little core plugs in that area can also weep)
heater matrix inside the car and its piping also heater multi way vacuum valve
finally rad and hoses to it.
block core plugs or head gasket although its bloody rare for a saab gasket to blow unless you have the boost up mental and cook it.
if you need a rad i have a spare in the garage.
With OAT coolant if you have a tiny sweat from a hose joint you will find traces of pink salt like deposits visible at the ends of the hoses.
Often changing the type of hose clip used fixes this, I have switched to using stainless worm drive hoses clips that are narrower than the usual
Jubilee clip as I have found Jubillee pattern clips aren't 100 percent effective. The narrower clips concentrate the clamping force on a
narrower area giving a better seal with less force than a Jubilee which is a good idea on plastic rads and hose fittings.
At the moment I getting these hose clips from Halfords as I can't find another source.
[Edited on 3/10/14 by britishtrident]