I do love these old mechanical cars

"Someone Else's Projects" (someoneelsesproject)
10/27/2013 at 21:20 • Filed to: None

Problem: stalling when warm and idling, coupled with a flickering oil pressure light.

Solution: turn the throttle stop screw to bump up the idle.

Great to be able to effect repairs without pulling OBD codes to find out which expensive sensor needs replacing. Not that there's anything wrong with computerized turbo systems, but it's nice to see another perspective.

On a completely related note, anyone know of a good Swedish beer that's available in the US, specifically Boston?

DISCUSSION (13)

wkiernan > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 21:24

God that's a beauty. envy envy envy

DoctorNine > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 21:26

As far as the beers, try this:

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/country/s…

Jonee > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 21:44

You should have an idle screw, too, no?

Someone Else's Projects > Jonee
10/27/2013 at 21:46

That's pretty much what that is; "throttle stop screw" is what it said in the Haynes manual, for what it's worth.

Someone Else's Projects > DoctorNine
10/27/2013 at 21:47

Thanks; I've seen that, just need to figure out what's available here. I may have to just phone up every liquor store around here and ask them what they have.

Someone Else's Projects > wkiernan
10/27/2013 at 21:48

Thanks muchly! Derpy-looking old cars seem to be automotive puppies in the way they inspire love and interest from everyone who sees them.

Slave2anMG > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 21:52

So how much oil pressure does it hold at idle and at speed? I've always heard that 10 psi/1000 rpm is a reasonable rule of thumb for most cars...

Someone Else's Projects > Slave2anMG
10/27/2013 at 21:55

That's what I've read elsewhere; I don't have a meter, just an idiot light, so I couldn't tell you.

Slave2anMG > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 21:57

*smacks forehead*...because if you had an oil pressure gauge you'd have told us how much pressure it was holding.

Seriously, might wanna get somebody to put a gauge on it and see what it's doing or to see if the sending unit is causing the flickering...

Someone Else's Projects > Slave2anMG
10/27/2013 at 22:00

Eventually I will; considering that the flickering light went hand in hand with the stalling, though, I can trust its measurements. The last time it flickered my oil levels were dangerously low so it's definitely reliable.

Jonee > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 22:01

There's usually two screws, one for the throttle and one to set the idle. The idle one is probably on the side if it's a Solex carb. If what you did worked, then don't worry about it.

Someone Else's Projects > Jonee
10/27/2013 at 22:03

Hmm, this is a Ford carb on the V4, and far as I can tell there's only one. Yeah, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

Jonee > Someone Else's Projects
10/27/2013 at 22:45

Oh, right, the Autolite carb. I think there's still an idle screw on the side. A factory Saab manual will be a bit more detailed than the Haynes. And, I'm sure there's plenty of advice on Saab forums about adjusting the carb. It's a good thing to familiarize yourself with since carbs are moody. It's also going to want to be cleaned now and again.