rdodger
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 05:38 PM |
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Saab 2006 9-3 T coolant loss
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?
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40inches
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 05:41 PM |
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External or internal leak on the Turbo? Any white smoke on cold start up?
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rdodger
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 05:44 PM |
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No. The car is smoke fee.
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pewe
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 06:01 PM |
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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]
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britishtrident
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 07:03 PM |
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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.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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adithorp
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 07:35 PM |
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..or go and see a mate locally who has a cooling system pressure tester 
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:09 PM |
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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.
Give a man a fish & it will feed him for a day, give him a fishing rod & you've saved a fish.
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rdodger
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:10 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
..or go and see a mate locally who has a cooling system pressure tester
I did that Adi 
My other mate Dave did it for me. It held pressure for more than an hour.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:12 PM |
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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
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:13 PM |
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Have a look here
http://fixmysaab.com/9-5_repair/cbv/step1.asp?nsteps=2&nointro=1
Give a man a fish & it will feed him for a day, give him a fishing rod & you've saved a fish.
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rdodger
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
Have a look here
http://fixmysaab.com/9-5_repair/cbv/step1.asp?nsteps=2&nointro=1
Thanks Andy but the 9-3 doesn't have one of those.
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Andybarbet
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 08:39 PM |
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Damn !
Good luck with the hunt then :-)
Give a man a fish & it will feed him for a day, give him a fishing rod & you've saved a fish.
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adithorp
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 09:22 PM |
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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.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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rdodger
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 09:28 PM |
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Cheers Adi
I will have another look this weekend. If I don't find anything I will give you a bell.
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ashg
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| posted on 2/10/14 at 10:37 PM |
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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.
Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!
Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)
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britishtrident
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| posted on 3/10/14 at 11:45 AM |
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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]
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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