SAAB 9-3 Climate Control Leaking Gas.

[sacwilliams]

I have been quoted £500.00 by the local SAAB agent to replace the heat exchanger on my 2000 SAAB 9-3 which has been confirmed as the cause of the leak.
Any advice regarding replacing this unit would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Mursal]

Probably best to contact a good local air con specialist. Ask them for a quote to test for a leak and how much if it is indeed the heat exchanger.

I'm not sure what you mean by heat exchanger. Is it the radiator out front beside the grill, or the one in the heater?

Plan B, would be to change it yourself and get the specialist to test afterwards for leaks and re-gas the system. This will be the cheapest fix, option.

Plan C, live with it and open the window. You certainly will not get £500 extra when you go to trade it in.

 

[sacwilliams]

Thank you Mursal,
I am currently using your option C but being a retired aircraft engineer would be interested in option B but like you have no idea what is referred to by the heat exchanger and do not have any info regarding service manual or parts list for the SAAB 9-3. The time quoted for replacement was 2 hours.
Will probably continue with the windows option.
Thanks anyway,
Colin.

 

[millerman]

Hi Colin, like you i'm a Saab owner, i'm also a member on the site below and i advice you to get on there as quite a few of the guys are very technical minded. Hope this helps.
Oh BTW, if it is the rad or condeser i think its sometimes called you should be able to pick up a good used one on the Saab site as a few of the guys are breaking 9-3's. The job aint a big one and a couple of hours should see a rad removed and replaced, then you can get an air con specialist to regas, about £40 i believe.

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/index.php

 

[sacwilliams]

Hi Colin, like you i'm a Saab owner, i'm also a member on the site below and i advice you to get on there as quite a few of the guys are very technical minded. Hope this helps.
Oh BTW, if it is the rad or condeser i think its sometimes called you should be able to pick up a good used one on the Saab site as a few of the guys are breaking 9-3's. The job aint a big one and a couple of hours should see a rad removed and replaced, then you can get an air con specialist to regas, about £40 i believe.

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/index.php[/QUOTE]

Dear Millerman,
I will do as you suggest.
Thank you very much.
Colin.

 

[mrcabrach]

repaired around half dozen of these this year price as follows
condenser about £100
gas oil £50 - 60
Labour £40 - 60
looks like i need to put my prices up before i go bust

 

[sacwilliams]

Hi Mrcabrach
Do you live in the Gatwick area per chance.?
Thanks anyway,
Colin.

 

[Avocet]

If it hlps any, ask them whether by "heat exchanger" they mean the evaporator or the condenser. (Both "exchange heat")! As has been said, the condenser is the one at the front of the car (in front of the radiator) and is usually, relatively easy to do. They're normally aluminium and depending on what sort of unions are used on the two hoses, you need to be careful about the threads galling-up when you try to undo them. I've had good service from these people in the past:

http://www.autoairconparts.co.uk/?gclid=CIr78PeZkKcCFQse4QodMDXecA

If it's the evaporator, that's the heat exchanger behind the dash - which, depending on the design of the car, can be an enormous job (DASHBOARD OUT ON SOME!)

Well worth changing the receiver / dryer at the same time because the dessicant in there will be pretty much used-up by now. Be careful, if they're left open to atmosphere for more than about 15 minutes, they're useless, so best changed immediately before the re-gas. You'll also need to replace any O-ring seals that you disturb. Make sure you get the green (I think they're HNBR) ones compatible with your refrigerant.

 

[mrcabrach]

Hi Mrcabrach
Do you live in the Gatwick area per chance.?
Thanks anyway,
Colin.

yes quite near may need extra £600 for call out only 500 miles or there about

 

[sacwilliams]

Hi Mrcabrach
Do you live in the Gatwick area per chance.?
Thanks anyway,
Colin.

yes quite near may need extra £600 for call out only 500 miles or there about

Better luck next time
I have now managed to strike a deal with the SAAB garage.
Thanks anyway,
Colin.