Bubonic plague

[CraigWaterman11]

I get what you are saying but your problem didn't gradually get worse. You are saying that you came out one day and your leg area looked like that. This is what happened to me, and it was my passenger side leg area, which would be your driver's side. My driver's side leg area, your passenger side was fine only I don't run my A/C at all most of the time.

Additionally, you are saying all of your drains are clear. Though I agree the A/C's evaporator core can produce condensation, what then would take that condensation almost to boiling to vaporize it if it was leaking down? I don't know it gets absolutely that hot there but maybe. Whereas the coolant must only leak out of the system and is already that hot.

I could not see the other areas of my dash that were affected until I dismantled it. I could only see my leg area.
Finally, if it was just the evaporator core's condensation, and say it was because of a plugged drained area, wouldn't more people be experiencing this condition? To date I only know of this being caused by leaking heater cores. Which ironically for whatever reason seems to happen more in the U.S. than over there.

My desire is only to help out, and hopefully prevent it from happening again. I know for certain it looks like a flood damaged car, as did mine. I just cannot be certain where it's at because you are there and I am here. I don't actually want to be right in this instance because it means a bit of work is ahead if so. I would rather it be something much more graceful. But it just seems like something is missing here.

 

[Danny]

Craig, again, your replies to my question are REALLY helpful. I am afraid that the cause for my issue is indeed a leaking heater core, since my (new) Becker radio also all of a sudden stopped working this morning. And it was not caused by a blown fuse in the footwell...

I immediately dropped off the car at my specialist this afternoon. I will report back as soon as he has found the time to strip the dashboard of my car.

 

[Danny]

Craig, would you happen to have a part number of the 92-98 Saab 9000 heater matrix?

 

[Danny]

One other question: I think I read somewhere long time ago that there was another alternative heater core that could be used. It was more expensive but better built (no combination of metal and plastics, only metal). Does anyone know?

 

[CatmanV2]

It's on Maserati life

C

 

[adam01]

Danny

The alternate expensive part was made in all brass

http://www.thebrassworks.net/shop/H....html?osCsid=341bd76bbcc4a25152d6af9d604863d2

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Danny I'm not home yet but I can get you the alternative part number when I do. I'm very sorry to hear you are having these issues.

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Danny here is the heater matrix part number of the 1998 Saab 9000: 5046362

Here is my opinion when it comes to heater cores. Your car is a decade and half old. I don't think it's necessary to get a full brass heater core, and all aluminum cores do leak as well. You more than likely won't even have this car then. Additionally this heater core is built better than the original. Now you will have to check because I do not know if the 3200 and 4200s are the same heater core. But if they are it will work fine. I DO have photos of when I put them side by side, and don't forget to change the heater hoses going to the fire wall. You don't want to develop leaks from old hose pieces.

 

[Danny]

Thanks for the info on the brass matrix. It is very interesting but also way too expensive for a heater core IMO, so I will go for an updated/improved version of the Saab 9000 heater core.

After a quick look I found different offerings from different manufaturers (with slight differences in sizes as well):

BEHR HELLA: 157mm - 278mm: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Saab-9000-Schragheck-1984-1998-HELLA-BEHR-Warmetauscher-Heizungskuhler-/231436269934?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item35e2ad396e

NRF: 156mm - 280mm: http://www.ebay.de/itm/WARMETAUSCHER-HEIZUNGSKUHLER-HEIZUNG-SAAB-9000-Schragheck2-0-9000-Schragheck2-3-/371187731620?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item566c834ca4

SCHLIECKMANN: 158mm - 280mm: http://www.ebay.de/itm/SCHLIECKMANN-Warmetauscher-fur-Innenraumheizung-SAAB-Schragheck-u-a-/201235145959?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item2eda8ca4e7

MS AUTOTEILE: 158mm - 280mm: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Neu-Warmetauscher-Heizungskuhler-Heizung-Saab-9000-/281535749866?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item418cd69eea

Now, the question is: which is OEM/old stock and which one is the improved version? And what about the hoses to the firewall. Do these have a funny shape or are they just straight? I want to order all the parts that are needed upfront so that my specialist can immediately start working on the car, as soon as the dash has been removed.

Thanks!

 

[CraigWaterman11]

Saab 9000 Heater cores

These photos above are for you. Don't worry about that +/- mm. The heater core as you can see in the photo above doesn't fit that exactly. It comes with weather stripping to make it air tight in the Heater box. So fire away and order which ever you'd like.

Here also is a photo of the Heater hoses. They merely run straight to the back into the fire wall. The tech can get this heater hose at any auto parts store. Also use brand new clamps. You are only going to pay about $10-20 usd. for the hose and new clamps. I am trying to remember off hand. I think the hose 3/4" in size but I cannot be absolutely certain. Best to just wait until he pulls it and run the hose to the auto parts store with you.

 

[Danny]

Thanks again Craig, your pictures are very helpful. In fact, the bottom pic clearly shows the size of the hose. It is indeed 3/4" (19.1MM).

I wasn't too worried about the differences in mm of the heater core. I just thought it would be better to buy new stock instead of old stock.

 

[CraigWaterman11]

No problem and I agree on the old stock........and lol......guess I should have just looked at the photo for the size. I'm posting fast, multi-tasking.