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`94 9000 CSE Alternator/AC belt

I bought a 1994 CSE in May. It's the 2.6 Liter engine, normally aspirated, and has the R-134 based air conditoning system.

My mechanic (an independent Saab specialist) noticed that the serpentine belt was shredded and about to slip off. He recommended replacing the tensioner because in his experience that was that was normally the cause. In the process, he discovered that the tensioner had been replaced once already and that the A/C compressor was bad. He replaced the tensioner and belt, plus he gave me a compressor that he had lying around the shop. Because it was too cool to charge the A/C properly, he left it unplugged and I also programmed the control unit to always come on in ECON mode so as not to try to engage the A/C.

On his recommendation, I watched the belt for a week or two, and didn't notice any problems.

I finally couldn't "take the heat" and went back to complete the A/C charge. My mech immediately noticed that the belt was once again about to come off. He is pretty much mystified, and can only offer that a new compressor "might", stress "might" solve the problem. Besides the $750 for a new compressor, it turns out that there are none available in the U.S. for another few weeks.

Anyone have experience with this problem?

Reply to
Levi
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Not possible. No such engine. 2.0 or 2.3 litre only.

Graham

Reply to
Pooh Bear

I think that involves pressing the econ button !

No, but a rough guess would be that the belt isn't running 'true'. Possibly a damaged / twisted pulley wheel ?

Graham

Reply to
Pooh Bear

^^^ 2.3

Sure...but you can set the control unit to do it for you.

Since a pulley comes attached with the compressor, we tend to discount that problem at the compressor pulley. Other pulleys? Maybe. I can't think of any way to check, either.

Reply to
Levi

snipped-for-privacy@visiDESPAM.com (Levi) wrote in news:leviDESPAME-1307051340590001@10.0.0.2:

Check all the pulleys and spindles to make sure they're true. Also have him check the alternator. I had a Fiesta that was eating belts. Turned out it was an alternator on its way out. There was no other sign of a problem other than belts disintegrating.

Reply to
Laura K

There's quite a few pulleys on the 2.3 engine serpentine belt IIRC.

Graham

Reply to
Pooh Bear

That's an intruiging scenario.

Any idea how the alternator was doing that to the belt ?

Graham

Reply to
Pooh Bear

And since the OP is from the US, 2.0 L is not a possibility in a 9000 of that vintage either. The only 4-cyl. is the 2.3 from about 1991 on.

Reply to
Walt Kienzle

Pooh Bear wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com:

From what I understood -- which wasn't much because my mechanic was Korean and would start swearing at me whenever I brought the Fiesta in for repair which is understandable if you've ever tried to work in the motor compartment of a 1980s Fiesta -- the alternator spindle/pulley would slow down/seize up or otherwise put friction on the belt. They replaced three belts in three weeks before figuring this out. After replacing the alternator, everything was fine.

Reply to
Laura K

I am not quite sure what you are saying about the "Econ" button but it is supposed to shut off the compressor while you remain in the "Cooling" mode to let you get controlled comfort using only cold outside aide.Do not put the system on re-circulate.

And what is this about too cool to change the a/c ?

Does this guy have any idea of what he is doing?

Malcolm

Reply to
Malcolm William Mason

It seems you understand. Never mind.

That puzzled me. Never heard of such a thing but I've not yet needed my a/c recharging. Maybe his engineer is stringing him along ?

Your guess ?

Graham

Reply to
Pooh Bear

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