1997 SAAB 9000 head gasket problems

RIZLABEAST

MEMBER
1997 SAAB 9000
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
115,000 MILES

Just bought my saab 9000 anniversary, but 2 days later it blew a water hose. Saab dealer says that the head gasket has gone. They are also telling me that the head is probably warped due to the fact that the car overheated. The overheating was short as either I pulled over and put more water in it, or the temp dropped back down to normal very quickly. Does this model of saab suffer from the oil breather pipe problems of the 9-5 - is this just a simple blown gasket, or is it more likely that it's the block has warped?
thanx

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

I am not to sure about the oil breather pipe issue sorry. But as far as the head is concerned, alloy heads will not take to kindly to over heating, the expansion rate between block Very rigid & light alloy head is very different, the head will twist and warp if it gets to hot, (quite repairable) Some cars are know to snap head bolts, such is the potential movement of the head. It will not take very much to blow a gasket, as the coolant disappears the temp will rise rapidly and even if you switch it off, the head will act as a heat soak and get hotter before it cools down. There is no simple head gasket problem, you will have to have the head checked for cracks, and loose valve seats if the head had warped ( they tend to loosen when re straightened. So make sure that the head is checked carefully, replace any suspect hoses, replace thermostat and have the radiator cleaned out.

Mark (mhpautos)

1997 SAAB 9000 head gasket problems

1 Reply

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