[1997saab_ca]

Hello, I have 1997 SAAB 900S, 2.3L 4 cyl. I must change the catalytic converter and the 2 sensors. I live in CA and there are special requirements...so I am in trouble and I need your help. The cat must be with OBDII emission performance. The original costs $2000 and I am looking for cheaper solution. I take any advice and info. Thank you.

 

[mike saunders]

Have a muffler shop cut the down pipe and weld in a replacement aftermarket catalytic converter and a sensor bung to allow the rear O2 sensor to screw in. A cat and sensor bung will be about $75 for both from Summitracing.com, Jegs, or another reputable shop. Installation would take maybe a couple of hours, no more....O2 sensors you can order yourself from eeuroparts.com. They're about $150 each and take about 5 minutes each to install...

Why do you need both sensors and a new cat? It's rare for all three components to fail simultaneously. Are you getting a check engine light?

 

[earthworm]

Rather than blindly replacing everything, find out why the catalytic converter failed in the first place(if ,in fact, it did)..

Same with the oxygen sensors - how does this shop know they are "bad" ??
How many miles on your car ?
Have the MAF, IAC, vacuum lines,etc, been serviced ?
I would get a second opinion..

 

[CleveSaab]

$2000??

You can get a 3" downpipe with a cat for $6-700!
Might be time for the upgrade?!? :cheesy:

 

[1997saab_ca]

Have a muffler shop cut the down pipe and weld in a replacement aftermarket catalytic converter and a sensor bung to allow the rear O2 sensor to screw in. A cat and sensor bung will be about $75 for both from Summitracing.com, Jegs, or another reputable shop. Installation would take maybe a couple of hours, no more....O2 sensors you can order yourself from eeuroparts.com. They're about $150 each and take about 5 minutes each to install...

Why do you need both sensors and a new cat? It's rare for all three components to fail simultaneously. Are you getting a check engine light?

Thank uyou for that info...I bought the car a month ago thru e-bay from N.Y. The guy scamed me. The car cannot pass the Californian SMOG test, because of the cat and lazy sensors. I must replace them and the dealers are asking for astronomic prices. Actually I am a female and I am starting learning about that car now...and I have "check engine" on.

 

[1997saab_ca]

Rather than blindly replacing everything, find out why the catalytic converter failed in the first place(if ,in fact, it did)..

Same with the oxygen sensors - how does this shop know they are "bad" ??
How many miles on your car ?
Have the MAF, IAC, vacuum lines,etc, been serviced ?
I would get a second opinion..

Thank you for your respond. Californian SMOG test faled twice...and their computer says...rear oxygen sensor is not switching, front sensor is lazy, rattling is comming from tha cat and must be replaced. By the way I bought that car from N.Y. 20 days ago was delivered and since then I am on the phones and web sites...The rear muffler is totaly rusted...I am a female and in huge trouble...I need help.

 

[mike saunders]

First off, don't go to a car dealer for anything. Ever. Not even a car. Let someone else have the depreciation of a new car then buy it when it's two years old.

Second, find a reputable independent Saab mechanic in your area. Ask around this board, on Saabnet.com and Saablink.net if anyone knows a reputable independent mechanic.

Third, look online at those places I mentioned before to get an estimate of the prices, then figure on labor costing $65-85 per hour.

There's no way that this will cost you $2,000.

This is maybe $500 to 700 tops...

 

[1997saab_ca]

I have writen down the sites you gave me, and I will check them out. You have knowledge and info and I will take your advise.

I have another problem too...The driverside low bim is there, but the high bim is missing. I changed the bulb, but the problem is still there. Obviously there is something else, what it can be? Thank you.

 

[mike saunders]

hmmmm....don't know about that headlight problem, except to say that you might want to check that the bulb contact points are properly seated in the sleeve that holds it

 

[CleveSaab]

Make sure your headlight switch is in position #3 (all the way right).

Look under Saabcentrals LISTING section for an indi mechanic near you. It's the button next to FORUMS up above on this page.