![]() 06/27/2017 at 09:35 • Filed to: Project Dumpster Fire, everything that is wrong with | ![]() | ![]() |
...and I should really get around to fixing. Well Project Dumpster Fire has taken a bit of a break. Or well… actually it is still a dumpster fire, I just haven’t thrown any money or time in to keep the blaze going lately. Excuses are !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , but not terribly important.
In one of my more successful Oppo articles, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! plaguing my 1984 Saab 900 Turbo Sedan. It has been with me, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , since 2001 and like all on-again-off-again romances, both partners are holding grudges.
Original Problems:
The driver’s side power window doesn’t work
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Installed a motor out of a junked car and we are back in business. It was a bit of a pain though.
The brakes don’t work and the (former) mechanic couldn’t get them figured out. Probably a leak somewhere?
Fixed! The flex hoses leading to the rear calipers !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Furthermore the passenger rear caliper was blown, likely from my (or the mechanics) attempts at bleeding it with a vacuum bleeder with the hoses collapsed. Rock Auto saved the day with a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
The fuel pump leaks. Probably just needs a new gasket on the banjo fitting.
True story. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
Needs new tires, obviously
The old rubber is holding air well and I haven’t seen a reason to change tires on a car that is sitting anyway. No urgency here.
The blower doesn’t work
I did a little investigation here, but haven’t fixed it yet. The blower won’t turn on unless the vacuum control air diverter switch is in the “on” position. The vacuum line to the HVAC system is broken. Instead of introducing another potential source of problems, I capped the line and will deal with that later.
The sunroof is stuck shut
Yes. Yes it is.
The radio is shot and so are the speakers
Replacement sourced but not installed.
The wipers are always on
I pulled the fuse. Problem solved! The sunroof leaks so it isn’t like I am going to be taking it out in the rain any time soon.
The windshield desperately needs to be replaced.
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ! $200 from Safelite!
It won’t start and I have very little idea why. At this point it almost has to be an issue with the fuel system pressure. I have the gauge but haven’t checked yet.
Oh fuck me do I really have to answer this? Talk about a rabbit hole! Basically this is the problem with this car. Bosch CIS is all about fuel pressure and flow and I have an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . So far pretty much everything has been checked and replaced, but long story short I think the fuel return line is clogged. I haven’t checked because if I don’t check !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and it is an easy fix. If I check and it isn’t clogged I have to push the car into a ravine.
Coolant keeps disappearing and going *somewhere* but I don’t know where. It isn’t on the ground or in the oil so.... mystery!
This one was pretty easy. Not sure how I figured it out, but it is the heater control valve. I bypassed it and sorted a new one. No rush to put the new one in though.
Brake fluid keeps disappearing and I don’t know where it is going. Same story as the coolant.
This was a fun one! After removing the skid plate to do the awful job that was the starter, I discovered the clutch hose was leaking. The clutch comes from the same reservoir as the brakes so that was part of it. The other part was (likely) the failed rear brake? Either way, last I checked it was holding fluid.
A lot of the wiring is VERY crispy and likely going to cause some issues.
Probably, yes. I’ve mostly been ignoring this, but I also gave what I could see a good drench with conformal coating.
So that is pretty much it. I’ve dealt with other problems as they came, like the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and ignored many others, like the leaky sunroof and collapsed driver’s seat. I still love the car and fully intend on getting back to it soon, but life is happening and !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! at any moment so... you know... cool.
Stay tuned for more! The Saab shall live again!
![]() 06/27/2017 at 09:47 |
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Stay on it, bruh. It shall be better soon.
As the saying goes - in the end it will all be alright. If it’s not alright yet, it’s not the end.
![]() 06/27/2017 at 10:03 |
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keep up the good work.
![]() 06/27/2017 at 11:04 |
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Fast forward- oppo year 2117. Oldest man alive says he can’t go peacefully until his beloved Saab runs again. Doctors say he’ll probably live another 30 years trying. It’s scientific proof everyone needs a saab. :)
![]() 06/28/2017 at 11:03 |
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Hopefully the power steering line isn’t leaking on the exhaust like mine was creating the best smell.
Or you have three slave clutch cylinders fail.
Or the hose failed to the slave cylinder then you have to make one from a straight brake line.
Or the three wires on the distributor fail and can’t be soldiered because they are high temp.
Or the engine mount in the front fails more then once and you break out the welder and put large gussets on it last time that failed.
Or the turbo hose cracks on your way home and you buy a pvc rubber cuppler to get home until you can order the custom sized hose
Or the gas pedal line breaks and you buy a picture hanging kit to get home.
Or you hit the gas on the freeway and the car pulls to the right then when you let go to the left and you finally figured out that the bolts for the top a arm are loose.
And don’t get me started on the stupid white plastic head light clips that crack
Ah Saab how much I still miss the drive with you.