Tools Tools Tools

[ubermich]

Right, so I'll be getting my 1990 9000 CD Turbo this weekend. What tools should I pick up on my way home? Aparently I should start looking for a torque wrench that can do 210+ (and a cheater bar, as I could jump up and down on that and not get 210ftlb out of it), what else does any respectable Saab owner have lying around in his garage?

Also, do you carry any tools besides what's in the tool kit in the car? I've just finished my collection of tools for my truck and do fully understand the value of these bits when something happens and I need them...

Thanks!
Rick

[Superaero]

Torx screwdriver set is a must IMHO as many of the fasteners use torx sockets. A set of small sized metric nut drivers also comes in handy from time to time but that is a frill really.

I have a set of combination wrenches from 8 mm to 19 mm with odd only from 14 up and a set of half inch drive sockets from 10 to 19 mm.

The tool kit that comes with the car has the plug wrench and two screwdrivers as well as nifty slip joint pliers.

I always carry an old thermostat I know works, just in case, and a set of the correct plugs, used ones with relatively low mileage and known to be good will be fine, and a serpentine belt, usually an old one that was replaced and still servicable. never had to use any of them so I carry them like a lucky rabbit's foot!

[9000freak]

In addition to what has been listed, i always keep a floor jack in my trunk. just one of the small ones. it comes in handy when you have to change a tire, or just need to do something under the car. of course use jackstands, or something to that effect. i bought it after my intermediate flex pipe dropped and was dragging on the ground, and my jack in my trunk was stuck IN MY TRUNK. i also have a heavier duty jack for my garage.

[ubermich]

What about DI cassettes? I see stuff about them here and there... Is it worth keeping a spare in the trunk just in case? Or is that something which might as well be left in the garage?

[bosruten]

Keep a cell phone, AMA membership and a bottle of vodka(your choice)

[ubermich]

Have a cell phone... Have an Association of Model Aeronautics membership... Can I substitute vodka for caffeine if I don't drink?

[bosruten]

Sure...but vodka helps take the edge off while you wait for the tow-truck.

[ubermich]

Ummm... No. Towing is not an option. Never has been, never will be. Walking to get parts, hitching rides between the parking lot and wherever, working in freezing temps in a parking lot... not problems. Been there done that. Tow? No. Absolute last resort. Towing is one step away from abandonment. I can't abandon my Saab (that isn't even mine yet)

[bosruten]

Originally Posted by ubermich

working in freezing temps in a parking lot... not problems. Been there done that.

In Texas? . I live in the "big" Texas...You have no idea!!

[9000freak]

yes, it is actually quite common for freezing temperatures in northern texas in the winter.

[ubermich]

Originally Posted by bosruten

In Texas? . I live in the "big" Texas...You have no idea!!

Umm, pardon my ignorance? "'big' Texas"?

And yes, January and February usually include freezing days...

[bosruten]

Originally Posted by ubermich

Umm, pardon my ignorance? "'big' Texas"?

And yes, January and February usually include freezing days...

Umm, ya...that'd be Alberta, I say it jokingly because Texas is known for crude oil but Alberta is Second only to the Saudi Arabia reserves, it is contained in three major areas beneath 140,800 square kilometres of north-eastern Alberta - an area larger than the state of Florida.
And with temperatures dipping below -45C or -49F during winter months, remaining faithful to your Saab or anything else that has broken down is simply a death sentence.

[ubermich]

Yeah, I do stick to positive farenheit temps...

And as for Texas being known for crude oil... I only know it for Longhorns, Cowboys in F-250s, and traffic jams... Do you mean we're known for USING crude oil?
Though we do have our fair share, I honestly didn't know we were KNOWN for it, many other areas have much more (like Alaska, but we can't drill there, it might cause an increase in the caribou population!)

Ahem, yes, tools... So should I keep a spare DI cassette in the car, or is that a garage repair?

[Last_straw]

It's easy to switch a DI casette, just 4 bolts and the little plastic connector only 10 minutes to change, having said that they last about 100,000 miles, depends if you know when it was last changed. Some people have experienced sudden complete failure, others get misfiring symptons and/or bad idling first.

[9000freak]

one of my buddies put this in his AOL profile: "- Put this in your profile if you drive an SUV and you don't give a s*** if Bush drills in Alaska as long as he lowers gas prices." im kind of split on the issue. seeing as ive been there twice, it is awesome! also i have learned that this drilling project will have little effect on the environment up there. my treehugger side says keep out of alaska, but my wallet says SUCK IT DRY!!!

[Superaero]

Alberta is also known for cattle, cowboys and guns.


And I can attest to Edmonton's winter temperatures. Last year (2004) I had the misfortune to be in Edmonton for the deep freeze of late January and February. Minus 40 was the norm for a week, and it's been know to becolder for longer.

I hail from Calgay 200 miles South which is warmer but was nearly as cold during that deep freeze.

Plug in your cars , and yup, you don't stick with the car unless you have to if it dies in the cold.

[bosruten]

Originally Posted by Superaero

Plug in your cars , and yup, you don't stick with the car unless you have to if it dies in the cold.

Hey Super...Do you have a block heater on your motor?..I went to NAPA and was going to buy two(frost plug type) and wire them in series to use this winter but they did not have any. The guy then pulled out what looked like a hotplate that you are supposed to strap to the oilpan...nada! I have heard of the kind that hook into the dipstick but our tubes are plastic. Does Saab sell something?
-Thanks-

[ubermich]

Wouldn't you want them in parallel? That way they have the same voltage and current? If you put them in series you'll have a higher current going to both, but the voltage in the 2nd will be roughly half the voltage in the 1st...

[Superaero]

Yup, SAAB Canada installs block heaters all the time in these engines, standard freeze plug type that works best for our climate. I had an in line coolant hose heater in my Alfa Romeo 164, never used it and eventually it rusted out! I'd just let a dealer do thsi little job it won;t cost much and if the thermostat is 2 years old or more then have them change that and flush the coolant when they do it. The freeze plug type block heater is best for most engines and is essentially permanent, they don't wear out.


BTW, if you're not using synthetic oil, change over now. I use 5W 50 or better yet 5W 40 (European made) Castrol Syntec and I don't need a block heater except for really cold weather like minus 42 C or colder which is rare in Calgary, not so rare in Edmonchuk. As long as the battery and starter are up to snuff these engines will start with synthetic oil in the sump at just about any temperature.

Of course, a block heater does take considerable stress of the engine on cold starts, and is warmer for the driver. Synthetic oil does too in that it flows so much better when very cold.

[Saaby]

Originally Posted by ubermich

Tow? No. Absolute last resort. Towing is one step away from abandonment. I can't abandon my Saab (that isn't even mine yet)

Dealer had to tow my 9-5 into their garage when, suddenly and unexpectedly, the DI Cassette failed in a Fast Food drive-through. I knew it was the DI Cassette, but it was the weekend and the car was still under warranty, so the only way to get it fixed on Saab USA's dime was the tow. One sad sight, watching it go away on the back of a truck.

I figure it was an epidemic though. Tow driver said it was the fifth Saab he had towed that day! When my dad (It's actually his car, I just pretend it's mine) went to pick up the car Monday, dealer said when they arrived that morning there was a pile of keys inside the door and something like 7 cars had been towed in over the weekend.