[Jran1385]

190k on my Saab. Love the car, bought it for a great price. I have owned it a few years and here is what I’ve done so far. Changed vacuum lines, air filter, engine mounts, struts, spark plugs. Always change my oil every 4k. There are few other parts I’ve changed, hard to keep up with them all. So, I feel my car is not running to its full potential. The car has thrown a misfire code and even died a few times here and there. I am almost certain in needs a new DIC and new plugs to go with it. I also have a fuel filter that I have not installed yet. When watching vids of stock 95s on YouTube I noticed they build a higher boost and you can hear the BOV during shifts. My car seems to lack that extra power. I’m planning on diving into it to fix whatever this car needs. It may be a vacuum line I missed, I really don’t know. This is my first turbo car I am seeking advice from you guys who know these cars and the common issues they have. I am going to scan the car this weekend to see what codes she is throwing. Any advice of things I may not be thinking about would be greatly appreciated! I love these forums and the community of knowledge that people share. Thanks Jody

 

[bob3000]

Welcome to SC, please don't think of any mods "BOV" or searching for more performance or boost until your car is running perfectly in stock condition.

You will break things and get frustrated way before you find more power. 😁

You are going to need a good quality DIC eventually so if I were you I would buy one now and eliminate it (and spark plugs) as a possible cause of your problems first thing.

If that's not in the budget then try to borrow one from a local shop for a test drive, DO NOT buy an online cheap one, total waste of money.

Here's an example of a good one DIC & Spark Plugs (B205, B235) (9-5 Parts > Engine > Ignition Cassette & Spark Plugs > DIC & Spark Plugs (B205, B235))

If you can get your car on a TECH2 for a proper scan you will do your heart good and save you money.

A ton of information here:

*** Frequently Asked Questions *** and minor maintenance...

General Topics: Common Saab Acronyms OBD II Fault Codes Purchasing Advice: Work in Progress Technical Service Bulletins - Saab 9-5 VIN Decoder : Saab Spares suppliers mail order UK Direct Ignition "Service Campaign". The Detailing Thread! Understanding Oil Specifications...

www.saabcentral.com

 

[Jran1385]

Thanks! I’m not looking for extra power for pleasure purposes. Just want to make sure my car is running like it should stock. It seems to just be sluggish I guess. I definitely am going to get a new OEM DIC and new OEM plugs. I’m going to scan it this weekend to see the code history before I purchase anything. If I understand correctly can a bad DIC cause lack of power? It has randomly died a few times but started back up and drove fine.

 

[bob3000]

Ya DIC's can fail with a variety of symptoms, in my case three DIC's (over the course of twenty years and lots of milage in various 8-5's) all had the same symptoms, I would be driving along and request more power and the car would act like you turned the ignition off and then right back on again.

None of them trigged a CEL or code, folks do get codes for DIC failures.

Burn good gas is the other thing, you and your car will appreciate it.

You mention "to see the code history" are you getting a TECH2 scan?

 

[Jran1385]

Okay. Is that the same as a OBD2 scanner?

 

[Jran1385]

Not sure what scanner they have but it’s a good one I’m sure. They use it in a high volume body shop.

 

[bob3000]

You need a TECH2 to properly scan your Saab, other machines can do limited basic stuff but they tend to miss direct more often than not.

A TECH2 is a GM machine that has SAAB specific software.

Where are you located? there are tons of Saab shops out there that are usually run by Saab geeks and they love to help.

Saab Repair Shops - Find a Saab Mechanic

Looking for Saab Repair? Find thousands of independent repair shops specializing in Saab vehicles. We’ll help you find a shop to service your Saab.

www.saabshops.com

A shop would probably charge around a hundred bucks fore a scan...money well spent.

There's also a TEHC2 location thread to see if there's a member with one nearby.

Tech II location thread

I’m available in Connecticut if anybody needs any work done !

www.saabcentral.com

 

[Jran1385]

Alexandria, Louisiana

 

[adidas_007]

Couple of things that could be checked are the Check valves, the diverted valve, pvc system, a boost leak check. Clean the throttle body (ive had one fail without check engine lights).
there are some obd readers that can give you some numbers but they can cost a pretty penny.

just to clarify if it, the 9-5 does not like atmospheric dump valves.

 

[Germaniac]

there are some obd readers that can give you some numbers but they can cost a pretty penny.

Addition: The cheaper OBD scanners do give out most error codes but don't follow the text (which can be misleading or simply wrong) coming with them, either look up the WIS or online listings in the Saab forums. Make sure that they are for Saab though, as some of them cheapos do not recognize all OBD protocols.

 

[Jran1385]

Couple of things that could be checked are the Check valves, the diverted valve, pvc system, a boost leak check. Clean the throttle body (ive had one fail without check engine lights).
there are some obd readers that can give you some numbers but they can cost a pretty penny.

just to clarify if it, the 9-5 does not like atmospheric dump valves.

Thanks. I will be checking into these things soon. I am not familiar with what a atmospheric dump vale is. Can you please clarify. Thanks

 

[EdT]

Thanks. I will be checking into these things soon. I am not familiar with what a atmospheric dump vale is. Can you please clarify. Thanks

Blow-off valve. Why some "tuned" cars go "Pssssht!' every time tuner buddy shifts gears. It releases excess turbo boost when the throttle closes. Saab's system recirculates the air, so no psssssht.

 

[Jran1385]

Blow-off valve. Why some "tuned" cars go "Pssssht!' every time tuner buddy shifts gears. It releases excess turbo boost when the throttle closes. Saab's system recirculates the air, so no psssssht.

Okay. Lol I see

 

[Jran1385]

I parked my car to fix everything that I can find wrong with it. I just had a complete new ac system installed. I noticed they forgot to hook up some lines I will post pics down below. I’m pretty sure they run to the boost control valve. I also realized that when I first got the car I bypassed the bpv. Like many do from the forums I left it plugged in and followed the instructions off this site. After studying my lines I realized that the vacuum cap is missing from the throttle body.

1. Should I plug the vacuum system back to stock? I just want my car to run correctly with no issues down the road. With the cap missing coming off the TB will that cause it to run bad/ lean?

2. I have a horrible valve cover gasket leak I am ordering new gasket, DIC and spark plugs. All oem parts. My questions about this situation are as follows. Can this oil leak affect my plugs or DIC? The crank case ventilation hose coming off the back of the valve cover seems to barely be on there with oil that seems to be seeping out. Is this supposed to be like this?

3. I want to do a complete vacuum and boost leak check. I am going to make my own connector to pressurize the system. I plan on using soapy water and pressure vs carb cleaner method. Any input on this idea would be helpful.

4. I am going to clean the TB and intake system. With the vacuum cap/hose not being on the throttle body will this cause my TB to be damaged or dirty?

Here are pics

 

[adidas_007]

1 you should return it to stock or cap it off. It’s preference of the owner. Note: the bypass is not any performance gain what it is said to do is remove dampening of the sound of the turbo. If you elect to do the mod keep the electric plug, plugged in.

2 IMO hot oil & electronics don’t go well together, you may get lucky cleaning the DIC & keeping it for a spare. its always good to have a spare in the trunk.
The hose: I’d I would start with replacing 6,6a, & 7 if not the whole kit. The clap is not a bad idea, but be sure not to overtighten & crush the plastic. I’d be willing to bet that the PO put it on there because the hose(s) were/are getting mushy
PCV Breather System (1999-2003 2.3T) (9-5 Parts > Engine > PCV & Crank Case Ventilation > PCV Breather System (1999-2003 2.3T))

Make sure your pcv is the up to date, they were updated over time.

3 if you get a PVC cap from Home Depot or such, with rigged with an airchuck & have access to a air compressor put The pvc cap in the rubber intake tube after the maf.

Check to make sure your check valves are still operate one way. The one in the last picture is one of the usual suspects.
& honesty don’t know where that loose connection goes from memory. I’d start digging around for its other half.

 

[Jran1385]

Thank you! I will cap it for now. I know this car has the new PCV kit installed on it. I checked it when I first purchased. I think I am getting blow/by. My valve cover gasket and other areas are showing signs of leaks. I am going to do the rubber glove check to see for sure. I think the one way check valve could’ve be the culprit. Can I just clean the hoses and tb after replace it the check valve. I blew on it today and there was no restriction. Would this put oil in my TB and Intake system?

 

[adidas_007]

The lil white check valve number 8? Yes.
the pcv check valves? I wouldn’t know where to get them individually.
I‘d still be suspicious of the pcv hoses being a lil soft cause of that clamp. W8th hot oil & gases passing through they do get soft and need replacing over time.

 

[Germaniac]

Tip: replace that clamp with one having rolled edges - the risk of wearing into the hose is greatly reduced with them. Alternatively you can roll some electric tape around the hose but this will only slow possible damage.