Whoa!!!
I ran across this code recently and I just got the time to check it all out as prescribed on multiple threads here. I am not sure how bad anyone else has run across but I took that tube off and I didn't even need to do the finger check, I could see LUMPS of soot, wet soot, in the outlet. I wonder why the light waited so long? Anyways, I did the blow the water out trick like ctrlz and others are describing except I used a raft pump that had a hose end that fit perfectly in the tube and I blew out nearly 2-1/2 cups of water! I know that I can get that valve for about 80 bucks and that it would only take a couple days to get here and that I don't need my car for the next week so I took the liberty of trying to do a cleaning method for that baby for those who don't want to continue to do an $80 repair every other year or whatever.
...Anyways, I went to the local parts store and looked at possible cleaners, carb cleaner, break cleaner, what have you. I am under the assumption that it is a metal to metal seal being that it is exhaust gas and the hydroscopic tendencies of exposed rubbers. I decided on MAF sensor cleaner as it is somewhat plastic safe as I do not know for sure what all is inside the SAI valve. I removed the valve and sprayed the cleaner in the port that we check for dirt and just kind of let it set in there while I shook it around gently. I noticed initially that the fluid leaked past fairly readily to the other inlet/outlet so I poured it out and repeated a bunch of times. As if now it is much cleaner than originally was and the leaking has been contained to only a few drips. I understand its not perfect yet but better than before. My next attempt is going to be an immersion ultrasonic cleaning of the valve assembly to shake down the soot. I also checked my pump to be sure it still worked and thankfully it still does. Its pushing air on the cold start and it has the vacuum cleaner sound without evidence of metallic rubbing/scoring sound. I will not beable to do the ultrasonic method for a week as my lab is shut down for an intermittent break but I will post results ASAP.
Hopefully some of you have access to these types of machines and can save you and your fellow SAAB'ers some buck.
Happy Holidays
BTW, is there a sticky for first time MY03 9-3 owners listing preventative maintenance, I think the SAI discussions could help convince some other folks to check every time the air filter or oil is changed.
