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Saab 9-3 Maintenance and Repair

44 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2013 at 6:47 AM

You are in the Saab 9-3 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, Steering, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    

Messages Page 3 of 5

#15 of 44 Problems with Soft Top Hydraulic Hoses? by my_saab_story

Jul 17, 2009 (8:13 pm)

Hi,
I live in Texas and am in desperate need of help with my soft top problem. Hydraulic hose “P” that connects from the cylinder on the driver’s side blew off from the fitting. My general mechanic repaired it and then instantly, a hose on the passenger side cylinder also blew from the fitting. This time, I took the car to an independent Saab mechanic. All of the hoses have lost most of the black protective coating, which exposes the nylon braiding. The mechanic said that all of the hoses need to be replaced, otherwise I will continue to blow hoses.
 
The dealer said that these hoses rarely fail. The mechanic has posted threads to find out if any other techs have seen this problem, but has not had any luck. One suggestion by another tech was to just replace the 2 hoses that connect to each cylinder, since they do the work.
Have you ever experienced this problem? Is it possible for the hoses to operate properly without the coating? Do you have any other tips or advice that I can pass on the mechanic?
Feel free to e-mail me at mysaabstorysbcglobal.net
 
Thank you!

#16 of 44 Hydraulic Hose Problem by joshsaab

Jul 31, 2009 (1:42 pm)

i am having the same problem...exact...1st and only hose to blow so far is the driverside outer piston...have you tried to contact Saab direct???...i sent an email Wednesday...lets stay in touch about this...i am hoping to get a positive outcome w/ Saab...maybe you should email as well...

#17 of 44 Re: Hydraulic Hose Problem [joshsaab] by my_saab_story

Aug 06, 2009 (10:10 am)

Replying to: joshsaab (Jul 31, 2009 1:42 pm)
Thank you for your post. I found another local Saab mechanic who said that he just replaced hoses for anothers customer. He said that he has seen this problem several times. The black coating is starting to peel off. The problem is that the coating goes up into the fitting, and when it peels off, the fitting is not as tight and so the hose blows.
 
You are right about e-mailing Saab. It is a smart idea and worth a try. I was quoted $3,000 to replace all of the hoses! That is a big expense to absorb.
I did find some used hoses that came with several other convertible parts on Ebay for $350 and it cost $820 to have them put on. All of the hoses looked good, except one was starting to peel in the middle, but at least it isn't near the fitting. You might want to start looking for some good hoses too. If your plastic is peeling it is only a matter of time before you blow another one and it is expensive to replace them one at a time, unless you know how to do it.
Good Luck, and we will staty in touch!

#18 of 44 Re: Hydraulic Hose Problem [my_saab_story] by joshsaab

Aug 11, 2009 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: my_saab_story (Aug 06, 2009 10:10 am)
i called GM and tried to get an exception to have the part paid for by GM...they told me no because they havent heard about the problem from anyone else...who is the mechanic and what dealer is he apart of???...i suggest contacting saab customer service and file a request...

#19 of 44 Re: Hydraulic Hose Problem [joshsaab] by my_saab_story

Aug 11, 2009 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: joshsaab (Aug 11, 2009 2:10 pm)
It was the owner of: Goreki Auto Service in Fort Worth: 817-732-8346. He was not the one that repaired my hoses but he said that he just replaced someone else's. He is an independent mechanic. He was trained by Saab and has worked on them for over 20 years.
Can you give me the number and possibley the name of the person that you called, so I can call them as well? I feel that we can make better progress if everyone calls the same person. I will talk to the owner of Goreki too.

#20 of 44 9-3 Conv. Top hose problem by dpetey

Oct 08, 2009 (10:06 pm)

I have the same problem - just replaced the 2nd hose within 2 months (passenger 1st then driver side) - same two you guys are talking about. I'm in FL and my buddy in AR has the same problem. My mechanic said it is a common repair (Saab trained - left Massey and started his own shop). I get my car back tomorrow. I am going to send the hose to a manufacturer in China to see how much they will be to make. I'm positive it won't be any where near $170 a hose. There is no way I am going to pay $600 every time one of these hoses pops - or sally up $2k to replace the rest of them. If I cant find a reasonable replacement I'll sell the car and get a Vette or Porsche.
 
Please send me the GM rep's contact info. A few well placed letters from an attorney cant hurt. Keep in touch on here. I'm fairly good at making a car MFG life miserable. (Ask Honda).

#21 of 44 Re: Problems with Soft Top Hydraulic Hoses? [my_saab_story] by phoward1

Feb 28, 2011 (9:45 am)

Replying to: my_saab_story (Jul 17, 2009 8:13 pm)
Please tell me the results of your repair work did you get the correct hoses and was the work done at a reasonable price? I need the same hoses...repaired in 2008 and now they need repairing again!!!

#22 of 44 Re: Problems with Soft Top Hydraulic Hoses? [phoward1] by trooper57

Jun 04, 2011 (7:48 am)

Replying to: phoward1 (Feb 28, 2011 9:45 am)
I have just experienced the same issue (both sides at the same time) and I am looking for a shop to perform the repairs. I am in Houston and generally use TAP-VPI but I am not sure they can handle this type of repair and they are only open weekdays. Of course this occurred last night, Friday night. Feel free to contact me directly at s0cc3rsuddenlink.net with any suggestions or advice.

#23 of 44 won't start when hot by lewisdavid3

Jun 05, 2011 (9:13 am)

#24 of 44 won't start when hot by lewisdavid3

Mar 01, 2011 (8:03 am)

2002 9-3 SE, 145000 km, well serviced. Last summer it would not start on a hot day. No response when the key was turned (ie the problem was not the battery). Hauled to dealer in Exeter NH. Car started. Dealer not sure but thought it might be the sensor for transmission in park. Did not have the part in stock, so I did nothing. Yesterday, a hot day in Gainesville FL, it would not start. No dealer here. Hauled to Continental Imports, who seemed very competent. The car started on arrival, perhaps because it cooled off during the tow. Shop owner said he could not find the problem, since now there is no problem; he thought it might be something other than the park sensor.
 
What should I do? Where is the gear shift park sensor? Can it be 'shorted', or cooled with a bag of ice? Another discussion item on this forum suggests that the problem is high oil pressure? Is that likely, given that the pressure icon is not displayed?

Messages Page 3 of 5

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