Saab 900 SE Turbo Water Pump Replacement

My new to me Saab 900 SE Turbo is a beautiful ride.  One day I was 'passing' a lady on a surface street and I heard a pop.  I didn't lose any power so I wasn't too worried.  There was a slight rattle that got progressively worse as I drove.  So I got it home and popped the hood.  Nothing visible to the naked eye.  I put a torque wrench extension bar to my ear and  I checked the power steering pump and the valve cover, but neither was the source of the noise.  

The noise got so bad I was forced to take the car to my mechanic, who told me it was the water pump and "don't drive it more than you need to cause it's fixin' to go out on you.'  Thirty minute ride from the mechanic to home, where because of the cost - $508 + tax, I was going to do it myself.  I stopped at the mall which was about halfway.  Once I started the car again, there was a problem.  A loud squeal and a warning tone.  My idiot lights told me there was a  problem with the battery.  I popped the hood and the serpentine belt wasn't moving and the water pump pully was canted at an unnatural angle.  Bad news.


I decided to chance it and make the rest of the drive.  No alternator, no power steering, no heat and most importantly, no coolant.  Two minutes from the house, there was a giant boom under the hood and a cloud of antifreeze behind me.  I finally make it home and pop the hood to let the engine cool off.  Very close call.

Step 1: Tools and parts you will need

Water pump
Serpentine Belt

Torque wrench
10 mm socket/wrench
13 mm socket/wrench
T30 Torx wrench

1/2" drive extension bar
 5 mm allen wrench
Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
Silicone grease or Vaseline

Comments

[Negmarron]

My pleasure. I'm glad someone could use them. Unfortunately, 2 weeks after I made this, my precious was totaled.

[5h1za]

These instructions are gold. Used them to change my pump yesterday, it took me about 6 hours partly because I had to make a couple of trips to the hardware store to get the proper tools.

[dizzytechman]

it looks like it would also work for the first gen 9-3 1999-2002 as well

[chea]

hey, wish i had seen this 2 days ago, just had my water pump replaced, seeing this could have done it myself.
i was charged £310 ( about 473 dollars) for the water pump. idler gears, belt including taxes, parts and labour, so i think i got a good deal

[Negmarron]

You got a steal.  I was quoted $508 + tax for the only the pulley and belt by a mechanic that is fairly trustworthy.  It's definitely worth it to do it yourself just as a learnign experience.

[Negmarron]

It was my pleasure.  Anything else that needs to be done will most likely be documented.

[simianmx]

Excellent!  Nice to know it's so do-able by a non-professional mechanic.  Am book marking this in case I have change out the one in my Saab.  Much appreciated.

[lemonie]

We could do with more of these, thanks for sharing.

L