Saab 9-3 1.8T Convertible - Cylinder Head Gasket

[oldmanbm]

Lent my fully serviced 2004 9-3 1.8T 90,000 mile convertible as a favour to a friend. Left it back tell me engine needed to cool warning came on and showed me a video of steam coming from the expansion tank cap. Took it to my local garage who tells me looks like cylinder head gasket has gone. No oil in the water and with coolant its driving okay. The car is mint and I don't want to scrap it. Are the K-Seal type sealants worth trying? Is the head gasket a common fault on these cars?

[Axe wound]

oldmanbm said:

Lent my fully serviced 2004 9-3 1.8T 90,000 mile convertible as a favour to a friend. Left it back tell me engine needed to cool warning came on and showed me a video of steam coming from the expansion tank cap. Took it to my local garage who tells me looks like cylinder head gasket has gone. No oil in the water and with coolant its driving okay. The car is mint and I don't want to scrap it. Are the K-Seal type sealants worth trying? Is the head gasket a common fault on these cars?

Head gaskets aren't known to go but I'd be a little worried. Refill the coolant and see how you get on.

Oh, and get a new mate.

[oldmanbm]

Yes I will follow the adage " neither lender or borrower be"! Garage has rung and confirmed cylinder head gasket. £££s to repair so decision to repair or scrap. It's MOTd to Nov and has a year's tax (not cheap) on it so will SORN before the end of the month. Sad as it is a lovely car with full service and a very caring garage owners wife as the first owner.

[oldmanbm]

Yes cylinder head gasket toast. Have visited several garages about repair but there is not much enthusiasm and much sucking of teeth. The car is MOTd till the end of the year and I am sure someone would give the job a go - but at what cost?

[Zerosumgame]

It is a very labour intensive job - assume 10 hours plus.

[oldmanbm]

Have a friend who buys from Copart and he looking for panel damaged convertible - mine could worth a fair bit in breaking it seems.