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saab 9-5 timing belt/chain

I have an eight year-old 9-5 which has now covered nearly 89000 miles. Could somebody please let me know if any timing belts/tensioners are due/overdue for replacement. I've been told nothing is needed as the belt is a chain belt. The manual is not clear. However, I don't want the usual mess if something breaks. The car seems to be running ok, but at idle there is a slight but audible noise - like a ping pong ball rattling around inside a tin can is the only way I can best describe it. Thanks jb

Reply to
John Bain
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You do not say what engine you have, so I cannot be 100% certain. But if you do have a timing chain, rather than a timing belt, they generally will last more than 89,000 miles with proper maintenance. That said, your description of the sound does make me suspicious. You should probably have it inspected by a knowledgeable SAAB mechanic. You may have had a failure of the chain tensioner or one of the guides that could produce the floppy chain prior to the chain actually wearing out

Reply to
Fred W

thanks for that. the engine is a petrol 4 cylinder 2.3 turbo ecopower. there is a reference to an engine drive belt replacement at 110,000km in the service sheets. thanks again jb

Reply to
John Bain

OK, good. All the 4 cylinders have a timing chain. The only drive belt is the external one you can see for the alternator, waterpump, power steering and AC compressor.

A had to replace the timing chain and all of the guides once on an earlier 2.3 liter engine ('92 9000T) at around 90k miles. I am sure it was due to a prior owners negligence at oil changing. It wasn't that bad of a job, but the labor costs would be high if you have it done for you.

Reply to
Fred W

your description does sound like chain rattle however it could just be valve train noise which isn't serious. Try an oil change and if the

the noise goes away when warm it's probably OK.

90K is very low mileage for a timing chain replacement on these cars but depends how the car has been treated/serviced.
Reply to
john

In message , john writes

Use a long screwdriver to touch the top of the engine and put the side of your head on the handle of the screwdriver (well away from any moving parts), if the noise comes through clearly then it could be something inside the engine like the chain but at 89k miles I'd be surprised if it was.

My money is on either one of the two idler pulleys on the serpentine/accessory* belt or the water pump. These both have a habit of failing and could make the noise you are hearing

At 89k miles you should have had a new belt at the last or last but one service but often the pulleys are not changed, if you have no record of the belt being changed then it may be prudent to have it replaced whilst having the pulleys checked.

Andy

  • serpentine/accessory belt is the 'fan belt' on the side of the engine that drives all the auxiliaries like alternator, power steering pump, water pump etc. If that snapped on you then you would be in trouble.
Reply to
Andrew Sinclair

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