OK, not a Volvo, but LPG equipped

vzh7gk · Jun 3rd, 2015, 08:53

I am (or as it stands now, may be) changing the Panda for SAAB 9-3 from 2005. Only reason I'm interested is due to LPG conversion already done. This was fitted in 2012 (forgot to make a note of the system). The car has covered approx. 120k miles and during my check over of the car I noted it wasn't running as smoothly as it should (particularly with balance shafts fitted). So, the dealer's workshop have it apart as it looks like a valve may have burned (I'm waiting for an update). While checking the car over I noted there did not appear to be a secondary LPG lube system fitted - probably the cause of the low compression on one cylinder. Is it possible to retrofit a top end lube system? Or will it depend on the LPG system as fitted? When I have further details I will post here, but just trying to gauge whether I can reduce the possibility of another engine failure...

Potential usage: I was expecting to be making regular trips to outside Glasgow (from the Cotswolds) however this may not happen now - no way I was going to try that in a Panda!

Rossi-fan · Jun 3rd, 2015, 09:21

If you haven't bought the car yet, personally, i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but thats my own opinion.

classicswede · Jun 3rd, 2015, 23:06

You can fit a valve lube system regardless of what LPG system is fitted. The Saabs are not know to have valve issues and should not need one.

Was the engine lumpy on both fuels or just LPG?

vzh7gk · Jun 4th, 2015, 07:57

Both fuels.
Thanks for the info. Lumpy, but a 'soft' lumpy, so I suspected low compression on one cylinder (later tests proved that). The lumpiness decreased a bit after a few miles...

I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer decides it's not economical to repair, so my search will continue if that's the case.

There was an S40 Bi-Fuel that really interested me (in Swindon), until I read reviews of the car dealer...

vzh7gk · Jul 31st, 2015, 08:05

So, a quick follow-up.
Dealer did repair things, though who they use as a workshop I've no idea, they're a bit slapdash.
Anyway, I've now been running the car for nearly a month and 1000 miles (went back twice in the first week to sort an oil leak, hence comment above), but now it's settled down, runs very sweetly (famous last words??

) and I am really enjoying it. It's very comfortable (but why do height adjustable seats gradually lower? Has happened on all cars with that facility. Maybe my weight?

) reasonably quick (compared to a lot of my more recent cars - Panda 1.1, LRs &c.) and on 58p / litre LPG is pretty cheap to run.
So, happy days (except that I also have a hankering for an early MINI Cooper S...

).

Jun 3rd, 2015, 08:53	#1
vzh7gk Member Last Online: Oct 17th, 2021 12:57 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheltenham	OK, not a Volvo, but LPG equipped I am (or as it stands now, may be) changing the Panda for SAAB 9-3 from 2005. Only reason I'm interested is due to LPG conversion already done. This was fitted in 2012 (forgot to make a note of the system). The car has covered approx. 120k miles and during my check over of the car I noted it wasn't running as smoothly as it should (particularly with balance shafts fitted). So, the dealer's workshop have it apart as it looks like a valve may have burned (I'm waiting for an update). While checking the car over I noted there did not appear to be a secondary LPG lube system fitted - probably the cause of the low compression on one cylinder. Is it possible to retrofit a top end lube system? Or will it depend on the LPG system as fitted? When I have further details I will post here, but just trying to gauge whether I can reduce the possibility of another engine failure... Potential usage: I was expecting to be making regular trips to outside Glasgow (from the Cotswolds) however this may not happen now - no way I was going to try that in a Panda! __________________ Graham (G4FUJ) Prescott Marshal & Hill Controller '99 BMW Z3 1.9 (formerly a 1.6D SE C30) '93 Morgan 4/4 1.8 Zetec; '90 Land Rover Defender 90 SW 200Tdi

Jun 3rd, 2015, 23:06	#3
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:41 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	You can fit a valve lube system regardless of what LPG system is fitted. The Saabs are not know to have valve issues and should not need one. Was the engine lumpy on both fuels or just LPG? __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Jun 4th, 2015, 07:57	#4
vzh7gk Member Last Online: Oct 17th, 2021 12:57 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheltenham	Both fuels. Thanks for the info. Lumpy, but a 'soft' lumpy, so I suspected low compression on one cylinder (later tests proved that). The lumpiness decreased a bit after a few miles... I wouldn't be surprised if the dealer decides it's not economical to repair, so my search will continue if that's the case. There was an S40 Bi-Fuel that really interested me (in Swindon), until I read reviews of the car dealer... __________________ Graham (G4FUJ) Prescott Marshal & Hill Controller '99 BMW Z3 1.9 (formerly a 1.6D SE C30) '93 Morgan 4/4 1.8 Zetec; '90 Land Rover Defender 90 SW 200Tdi

Jul 31st, 2015, 08:05	#5
vzh7gk Member Last Online: Oct 17th, 2021 12:57 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Cheltenham	So, a quick follow-up. Dealer did repair things, though who they use as a workshop I've no idea, they're a bit slapdash. Anyway, I've now been running the car for nearly a month and 1000 miles (went back twice in the first week to sort an oil leak, hence comment above), but now it's settled down, runs very sweetly (famous last words?? ) and I am really enjoying it. It's very comfortable (but why do height adjustable seats gradually lower? Has happened on all cars with that facility. Maybe my weight? ) reasonably quick (compared to a lot of my more recent cars - Panda 1.1, LRs &c.) and on 58p / litre LPG is pretty cheap to run. So, happy days (except that I also have a hankering for an early MINI Cooper S... ). __________________ Graham (G4FUJ) Prescott Marshal & Hill Controller '99 BMW Z3 1.9 (formerly a 1.6D SE C30) '93 Morgan 4/4 1.8 Zetec; '90 Land Rover Defender 90 SW 200Tdi

Jun 3rd, 2015, 09:21	#2
Rossi-fan Premier Member Last Online: Feb 12th, 2023 10:07 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Durham	If you haven't bought the car yet, personally, i wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but thats my own opinion.

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