SAAB 9000. Manual - part 8
1•18
Every 48 000 miles or 3 years
5 Loosen the drain plug in the radiator bottom
tank, and allow the coolant to drain into the
container.
6 When the flow of coolant stops, reposition
the container below the cylinder block drain
plug. On balance shaft engines, there are two
cylinder block drain plugs, one located on the
front left-hand side, and the other located on
the rear left-hand side. With the plug(s)
removed, allow the coolant to drain from the
cylinder block.
7 Refit and tighten the radiator and cylinder
block drain plugs.
8 If the coolant has been drained for a reason
other than renewal, then provided it is clean
and less than three years old, it can be re-
used.
Cooling system flushing
9 If coolant renewal has been neglected, or if
the antifreeze mixture has become diluted,
then in time, the cooling system may gradually
lose efficiency, as the coolant passages
become restricted due to rust, scale deposits,
and other sediment. The cooling system
efficiency can be restored by flushing the
system clean.
10 The radiator should be flushed
independently of the engine, to avoid
unnecessary contamination.
Radiator flushing
11 To flush the radiator, first disconnect the
top and bottom hoses from the radiator.
12 Insert a garden hose into the radiator top
inlet. Direct a flow of clean water through the
radiator, and continue flushing until clean
water emerges from the radiator bottom
outlet.
13 If after a reasonable period, the water still
does not run clear, the radiator can be flushed
with a good proprietary cleaning agent. It is
important that their manufacturer's
instructions are followed carefully. If the
contamination is particularly bad, remove the
radiator then insert the hose in the radiator
bottom outlet, and reverse-flush the radiator.
Engine flushing
15 To flush the engine, first remove the
thermostat as described in Chapter 3, then
temporarily refit the thermostat cover.
16 With the top and bottom hoses
disconnected from the radiator, insert a
garden hose into the radiator top hose. Direct
a clean flow of water through the engine, and
continue flushing until clean water emerges
from the radiator bottom hose.
17 On completion of flushing, refit the
thermostat and reconnect the hoses with
reference to Chapter 3.
18 Check that the radiator and cylinder block
drain plugs are in place and tight.
19 Remove the container from under the car,
then refit the centre panel beneath the
radiator, and lower the car to the ground.
Cooling system filling
20 Before attempting to fill the cooling
system, make sure that all hoses and clips are
in good condition, and that the clips are tight.
Note that an antifreeze mixture must be used
all year round, to prevent corrosion of the
engine components (see following sub-
Section).
21 Pour the correct amount of antifreeze (see
"Lubricants, fluids and capacities") into a
container, then add water until the total
amount is approximately 6.5 litres.
22 Slowly fill the system through the
expansion tank filler neck, allowing time for
trapped air to escape through the purge line.
Every 96 000 miles
Warning: Before carrying out the
following operation, refer to the
precautions given in "Safety
first!" at the beginning of this
manual, and follow them implicitly. Petrol
is a highly-dangerous and volatile liquid,
and the precautions necessary when
handling it cannot be overstressed.
1 On some early models with the LH-Jetronic
fuel injection system, the fuel filter is located in
the engine compartment between the battery
and the false bulkhead. On later models with
both the LH-Jetronic and Trionic fuel Injection
systems, the filter is adjacent to the fuel tank
underneath the rear of the car.
2 Depressurise the fuel system with reference
to Chapter 4A, Section 9.
Early models with LH-Jetronic fuel
injection system
3 Clean the areas around the fuel filter inlet
and outlet unions.
4 Position a small container or cloth rags
beneath the filter, to catch spilt fuel.
5 Unscrew the banjo coupling bolt on the
bottom of the filter, while holding the coupling
with a further spanner. Recover the sealing
washers.
6 Unscrew the banjo coupling bolt on the top
of the filter, using the same procedure.
7 Noting the direction of the arrow marked on
the filter body, loosen the retaining clip and
withdraw the filter from the engine
compartment.
8 Locate the new filter in the retaining clip,
and tighten the clip. Make sure that the flow
arrow on the filter body is pointing towards the
outlet which leads to the fuel injection rail.
9 Check the condition of the sealing washers,
and renew them if necessary.
10 Refit the banjo couplings and hoses to the
Top-up to the "MAX" mark on the side of the
expansion tank.
23 Refit and tighten the filler cap.
24 Start the engine, and run it at a fast idle
speed until the cooling fan cuts in, and then
cuts out. This will purge any remaining air from
the system. Stop the engine.
25 Allow the engine to cool, then check the
coolant level with reference to Section 3 of this
Chapter. Top-up the level if necessary. Saab
recommend that the level be checked again
after a few days, and topped-up as necessary.
Antifreeze mixture
26 The antifreeze should always be renewed
at the specified intervals. This is necessary not
only to maintain the antifreeze properties, but
also to prevent corrosion which would
otherwise occur as the corrosion inhibitors
become progressively less effective.
27 Always use an ethylene-glycol based
antifreeze which is suitable for use in mixed-
metal cooling systems. The percentage of
antifreeze and levels of protection are
indicated in the Specifications.
28 Before adding antifreeze, the cooling
system should be completely drained,
preferably flushed, and all hoses checked for
condition and security.
29 After filling with antifreeze, a label should
be attached to the expansion tank filler neck,
stating the type and concentration of
antifreeze used, and the date installed. Any
subsequent topping-up should be made with
the same type and concentration of antifreeze.
30 Do not use engine antifreeze in the
windscreen/tailgate washer system, as it will
cause damage to the vehicle paintwork. A
screenwash additive should be added to the
washer system, in the quantities stated on the
bottle.
top and bottom of the filter, together with the
sealing washers. Tighten the bolts securely,
while holding the couplings with a further
spanner.
11 Wipe away any excess fuel.
Later models with LH-Jetronic or
Trionic systems
12 Chock the front wheels, then jack up the
rear of the car and support on axle stands (see
"Jacking, towing and wheel changing").
13 Pull off the plastic guard where fitted (see
illustration), then clean the areas around the
fuel filter inlet and outlet unions.
14 Position a small container or cloth rags
beneath the filter to catch spilt fuel.
15 Unscrew the banjo coupling bolts from
each end of the filter (see illustration), while
holding the coupling with a further spanner.
Recover the sealing washers.
16 Noting the direction of the arrow marked
on the filter body, loosen the retaining clip and
withdraw the filter from under the car.