View Full Version : DI catridge went up in smoke :(
Katsura
20-01-06, 02:32 AM
I think my DI is f****d. :(
98 9-5 2.3t SE.
Went out tonight, and drove about 2, 3 miles with absolutely no problem.
Then went up to pick up my fiance. Car won't start, the starter motor turns but it won't catch, the Check Engine light is lit.
After try to ignite for about 30 seconds for a couple times, white smoke came out from under the bonnet, I seriously thought the car would catch on fire :(.
I let it sat a while, the smoke disappeared, I rang the RAC. RAC man came tried to start again, same situation, left the key in ignition 'on' position, more white smoke.
Burning smell.
Sounds like DI right?
I want to change the DI myself, are teh saab parts online order companys fast at delivery? I just hope it's not something more serious in the electronic system...
Any thoughts and suggestions? Thanks!
P.S. was eally upset this happened, the car has done 93K so far with no DI replacement, I thought I'd get 100K out of it and celebate, LOL.
Retribution
20-01-06, 04:07 AM
Definately sounds like the DI has gone the same thing happened to me and i hate to be the bearer of bad news but the CEL is probably a knackered cat!!
Thats what happened to me i replaced the DI the car started and ran fine but the CEL was a knackered cat!!
But on the positive side thats what pushed me into going to abbotts for a new exhaust and tuning ecu etc so its all good :cheesy:
I bought my DI from the main SAAB dealer here in norwich and to my suprise it was cheaper than PSF so give them a ring you never no!
The reason the DI failure damages your cat is that all that unburnt fuel gets pushed straight into the cat and if you have the 2 cat car like mine was then the first cat is very very close to the cylinder head Hence it gets alot of unburnt fuel in there
Raven18940
20-01-06, 05:52 AM
You don't have a spare DI. :nono;
Yep, your DI has fried. Replacement here at good price.. http://www.partsforsaabs.com/default.php?cPath=61_64 There's a good chance the catalytic converter is fine, usually they get unburnt fuel in them if the DI lets go whilst running. Yours wouldn't start full stop, so fingers crossed the cats fine.
Katsura
20-01-06, 10:29 AM
Hey cheers for the info guys.
Fingers very very tighly crossed for the cat...
Retribution
20-01-06, 10:45 AM
DI cassette failure doesn't throw up a CEL so theres another problem there mate i to hope its not the cat as there about £600 from saab but if it is the case do what i did and get a full stainless system for just a little more:cheesy:
Katsura
20-01-06, 01:51 PM
Oh? I saw some cats from £260?
http://www.partsforsaabs.com/default.php?cPath=104_499
Do you mean include the fitting?
bernardc
20-01-06, 02:16 PM
SLOW DOWN. Before you spend all that money.
AFAIK the CAT should only die if unburnt fuel gets to a hot cat and burns in the CAT. If you were starting from cold that will not be the case AND the CEL remains on until the engine starts which of course it hasn't in your case. Try the new DI first.
Retribution
20-01-06, 02:50 PM
Oh? I saw some cats from £260?
http://www.partsforsaabs.com/default.php?cPath=104_499
Do you mean include the fitting?
No mate i meant the genuine saab one :cheesy: but that one you point out is much better!!
Bernardc of course he should change the DI first he needs to do this to start the car! I was just pointing out that his cat might be damaged as mine was thats all! hopefully its fine
If once you have a new DI and start the car you still have a CEL then chances are the problem is the cat but of course get the code read by TECH II
Katsura
21-01-06, 07:17 PM
Cat's fine :) Replaced DI, all problems solved :)
I thought my cat should have 9 lives :)
reading the user manual onthe CEL light section, it sounds like as if, even if the engine does not start, CEL should go off after 3 sec att he ON position - maybe I read it wrong, English is not my first lang.
Retribution
21-01-06, 07:31 PM
Glad to hear it mate i was just unfortunate that my cat went but then again it got me into modding car so :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:
Big Fat 95
22-01-06, 07:25 PM
You don't have a spare DI. :nono;
Is it really advisable to have a spare DI? Do they really go that often?
ebay here I come
i want an aero
22-01-06, 08:06 PM
:o they are cheaper on parts for saab than ebay. trust me i did the same:x , now got spare in the boot:D
Chris 9-5
22-01-06, 08:09 PM
Yep I have a spare in the boot too :roll:
AeroNate
22-01-06, 08:22 PM
I wish i had a spare in the boot as mine failed today with the white smoke and all.:(
Will SAAB pay for towing to the dealership since it is a recall item for me?
I really thought i would make it until the recall went through but i geuss not.
Chris 9-5
22-01-06, 08:34 PM
White smoke :confused:
AeroNate
22-01-06, 09:27 PM
Yup, chris, white smoke;)
Alright i guess you can just call it smoke if you like.
I know 2 things it stunk and the car doesn't run.
Anyone know how the recall has worked in the states?
Raven18940
22-01-06, 09:40 PM
Is it really advisable to have a spare DI? Do they really go that often?
ebay here I come
It's not that they go often, just that they go suddenly and all at once. Even the CPS gives some odd behavior before it finally goes. :roll:
Katsura
24-01-06, 02:40 PM
Agreed! Mine went with no warning what-so ever, car was running great the trip before!
Will now purchase a spare one :D.
Thanks for all the advice folks.
Big Fat 95
24-01-06, 05:34 PM
:o they are cheaper on parts for saab than ebay. trust me i did the same:x , now got spare in the boot:D
Theres a Buy it Now price on E-bay of £99.95 for a brand spanker
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAAB-DI-CASSETTE-BLACK_W0QQitemZ4603791188QQcategoryZ10416QQssPageN ameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
WsaaaBi
24-01-06, 06:25 PM
That sucks!!!!
I just had my DI replaced yesterday. My issues were not that severe but a lot of things stopped working such as the HEAT,GAUGES, ETC. The car would stall at times and it because such a pain in the @$$ that I had to get it repaired. I could not wait to get it repaired!
Lets just say that it feels like I have a new car again!