Saab 900 - 1996

[Mr Warren]

Bought a Saab 900 with 132k miles on the clock. Clean throughout but have just found that engine runs a bit "throaty" but there is no leak from the exhaust and roughness comes from engine bay......the "check engine" yellow light is alos on. Any advise of what is what? Many thanks.

[Hintza]

Leaky manifold? But I don't know itf that would bring on the light. I would stick it in for an engine sevice/tune and see what they say. Just ask them to inform you if it is going to cost more than an agreed price.

[vikingaero]

Is it a normal injection engine or is it turbocharged? If it's got a turbo it can be throaty and rough under acceleration if there is a hole in the intercooler.

[NickWarren]

I'd echo what the rest of the guys have said, could just be a cracked manifold or perished gasket. Older saabs are built like tanks and tend to be pretty reliable when properly maintained.

[Mr Warren]

This is a non turbo version. Will put it in the garage and see what the mechanic says. Is a cracked manifold a huge problem??????

[swiftnick]

Not a huge problem, but it wont put your malfunction light out.

[Mr Warren]

Right got the car seen at the local garage. The noise comes from the flexi part of the exhaust collector. Any idea how much this is to change??

[Hintza]

Hmm, we had a problem with a flexi (woven) stainless steel bit on golf. You might need to search around many can't weld them so you might need to travel a bit, if you just want to replace that part.

Otherwise it might be a new CAT (not sure on this but be prepared)?

[vikingaero]

Right got the car seen at the local garage. The noise comes from the flexi part of the exhaust collector. Any idea how much this is to change??

IIRC I paid around £70 for the part and some labour on my 9-3 - possibly £150

[Mr Warren]

Garage will replace the down pipe/flex unit as they come as one.....£110 fitted. Which i find relatively acceptable.

[swiftnick]

Sounds like a resonable price to me as the front pipes with flexi joints can be notoriously expensive.

[vikingaero]

I went through about 3 or 4 flexi bits on my Saab. Mind you it had done 149k when I got rid of it after 4 years.