Saab 9-3 Oil Level Sensor Replacement

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[@sneakyfox4651]

This has nothing to do with oil sensors, but I have to share this with some Saab peers: I've owned a black 2004 9-3t Sport Sedan since June 2017. For many years it was my dream car because it just looks so good (I never fancied the look of the rear end of the 900S and 9-3 hatchbacks), and it is nice driving it, except that for some reason my foot likes to climb up the clutch pedal when f.x. making a U-turn. I had to put loads of money into it to keep it running. Besides the usual oil and filter changes I've had to change the front callipers, the front hubs, the rear brakes and anchor plates, the rear muffler, three out of four engine mounts, new summer tires, new winter tires, got original Saab rubber mats, had to have the head lights polished, two new remotes for the keys. And probably more. Everything done at my Saab workshop. And the AirCon needs to be replaced; it's slowly leaking and the pump in the engine bay and the cooling unit under the instrument panel both need to be replaced, and this is a $1.000,- job due to the many workshop hours it takes to do it. Its simply not worth it in a car that's worth $3-4,000,- at best. So last year I started looking for another Saab to fulfil my specific needs. I found one in November, but I was second in line and the first in line bought it. Then right before Christmas there was another candidate, but it wasn't well-kept and the used-car salesman wanted a price that was at least one third too high to be even contemplatible. Then I ignored it for a while because I was busy doing other stuff, but then, more or less on a whim, I started looking for a replacement Saab again, and there it was, one of only four possible candidates, namely a 1998 Saab 9000 CS 2.0 LowPressureTurbo Hatchback with a trailer hook and just 100,000 Miles on the clock and no significant body rust, only in the front fenders!!! So I bought it!!! My 2004 9-3 has driven 60,000 Miles more. Only 100,000 Miles on a Saab 9000 is more or less impossible to beat. I had a 1986 9000i 20 years ago. When I had to scrap it due to too much rust for me to be able to afford the repairs, it had driven some 260,000 Miles and the engine still worked just fine. If maintained, this 9000 can easily do another 200,000 Miles. OK, it has some issues: It needs a new washer fluid container because it leaks, however very slowly. It need a new antenna It got a new battery today because the old one showed just 10.5 Volts this morning. I got new vipers because the left viper leaves a streak right in the middle of my field of view. It needs two new front fenders due to rust (this is Scandinavia where they love to salt the roads in sub zero temps). It hasn't Cruise Control, but it looks like it can easily be retro-fitted for a coupla-three hundred Bucks, I'll have to talk with my Saab workshop about that. One of the rear headrests is missing. I'd really like to know how that happened. The steering wheel is shaking above 75 Mph, so the front wheels will be balanced on Tuesday morning. The wheels are NoName alloys with all-year tires that will only last this summer. Then I will refit them with good winter tires and then get som good alloys with summer tires in the spring. But, and I already knew it before I even saw the car in person, all the engine mounts will have to be replaced which is not exactly cheap. But it's unavoidable. However, It got new new brakes in October, and it brakes better than the 9-3, (most of) the exhaust pipe is also new, the clutch is as tight as when the car rolled off the factory floor, the AirCon (sort of) works. It was serviced and had some gaskets were replaced. I'd have to compare with another 9000 with AirCon (not climate control). And the power steering is so good that you can steer the car with just one thump at the 6 O'Clock position on the steering wheel on straight A-roads at 50 Mph. And all the door locks work. They don't di that on the 9-3, except in frosty weather, and all four window mounts are operational, whereas I can't open the window in the driver's door in the 9-3. Where I live, cars have to be approved every two years for the first thirty years, after which they become veteran cars. This has two implications: 1. The semi-annual ownership fee of $460,- of a Saab 9000 becomes annual as long as you have another (motor) vehicle registered as your primary vehicle, even the cheapest motorcycle, and 2. The biannual inspection (costing a $50,- fee) changes to inspection only every eight years. So when my 9000 becomes 30 years old in 2028 and passes inspection, it won't have to be inspected again until 2036. With my age and my yearly milage (perhaps 6-8000 Miles), I have a car for the rest of my driving life if I maintain it properly, and I will. The 9000 may not be faster than my 9-3; they both have 150 HP at 5500 RPM. The 9000 has a little less torque than the 9-3 but is 150 pounds lighter. But compared to the 9-3, the 9000 is enormous inside and the outlook is much better, and the seats are some of the best car seats ever made, better than the 9-3 leather seats, even if the 9000 seats are just velour seats. 1998 was the last Model Year, and thus only 2540 9000s were produced. 400 Went State-side, so that makes my 9000 one of only 2140 cars on the European continent, bar those scrapped due to negligence or totalled in crashes. And I paid just $3,000,- for it. That's crazy cheap in my country for a 9000 with such a crazy low milage. But now I need to sell the 9-3 ASAP to keep the owner's fee and insurance costs down. But it's like the 9-3 knows that it will have to leave a home that really cared for it because the same day I decided to buy the 9000, the 9-3 chose to start leaking radiator coolant. Nor much, but some. Luckily, my brother-in-law has a semi-professional workshop with a hydraulic lift, so we'll put up there and try and fix it. I just hope it isn't the radiator. Dear reader, if you made it so far: Thank you for reading my ramblings. But as a devote Saab fan and a previous owner of a 9000, this is really like coming home. It's hard to explain, but the 9000 feels just so, I don't know…, harmonic to drive. I guess only other 9000-owners can relate.

[@harrywiking3654]

Great story. I have a 9-3 Griffin SC TTID 2012. Bought it on auction from Kvarndammen Sweden as it was brand new. It is driven 175000 km and I use it only during the summer. I also have a 9-5 Aero sedan 2004 which is driven 94000 km this car is also used only during the summer. So great to drive these Saab cars.

[@sneakyfox4651]

@@harrywiking3654 Thanks. Those two Saabs of yours are some nasty beasts. I considered Hirsh'ing my 9-3 but never got to it. Concerning the 9000, a Stage 1 Map tuning would increase the power from 155 to 225 HP, but I really don't feel it needs it, and why fix something that works just fine? I do like acceleration but I'm much more into long-distance cruising than Fast'n'Furious. And I'm getting more and more happy to drive the 9000 every time I take it somewhere. All the rubber strips got silicone the other day. Today all the outside vinyl got cleaned, and tomorrow I'll clean the inside from top to boottom. Friday I will take it to show an old friend who started me into Saab. He had a V4 95, then two 9000s, and his wife had a two-colour 99 Turbo with a huge back wing.

[@mcdonald2037]

That's great team work.. that's a good friend you got there .. my 05 Arc started acting up started throwing oil and gasoline Tru the tail pipe and I only barely made the 100,000 miles what sucks js that hard to find a shop here in southern california who will do the job... Like it kinda sounds to me like im heading to the way of getting a new ECU.. in doing myself the work and with work and other stuff is taking me sometime oh well I'll get it done but learning is what I find one of the most important parts and your videos have helped me thank you.. your the first ah KZbinr we can say that I subscribe when I got my saab

[@23tlujan23]

I’ve replaced that sensor on a few of my 9-3s because of that Oring. I’ve tried to find one to fit but no luck. Wish they would just sell that. Same for my 9-5 oil trap. I found an oring that fits. These little leaks that are involved to fix. Great video, Jacob. Thanks! Keep them coming. Even repeat fixes are good to see.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thank you! :)

[@djfremen]

A couple of thoughts after doing this: 1. Be extremely careful how you put that motor mount back. It has a horn that will pierce and crack your pan (don’t ask me how I know). 2. Be sure to affix the sensor outer retaining clip after securing final position. It wasn’t called out in video other than a quick shot. 3. Us a bottle jack to hoist engine to make clearance. No need to loosen top passenger mount (as seen in video except using wood and floor jack). Great work!

[@chilidogcats]

To fix the oil sensor gasket leak on the V6 Aero . . . you have to remove the engine! GM gaskets are really a PITA. I've had to replace the power steering box O-ring gaskets too.

[@AutoAutopsy]

You’re right, PITA!!

[@motorcity9319]

Great work guys a helping hand definitely makes it a lot easier

[@AutoAutopsy]

Definitely!

[@tachimachine]

Thank you so much for making this video, it's really helped a lot!!!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Happy to help!

[@mikecrawford2999]

Great vid Jacob.. I thought I had to do this couple weeks ago.. turned out I double o ringed the cap for the oil filter on a change and was leaking out there.. much easier fix lol! Thanks from nz

[@AutoAutopsy]

Lol nice!

[@yegorsolin4044]

Good job! Cool video!! 👍🏻😊

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks!

[@jackk5131]

Great work guys! Another issue fixed, Thumbs ups! :)

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks :)

[@foamy_brawl9903]

Enjoyed the video, thank you ❤

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks!

[@ferng9405]

I been waiting for this video on KZbin I’m about to do mine Thank you m

[@AutoAutopsy]

Hell yeah 👍🏼👊🏼

[@Whit_Siever]

2:32 I honestly cannot get to that corner bolt. Am tempted to start lowering subframe to get clearance. Also double duty trying to replace the sway bar bushings (How far is Phoenix from Austin)

[@Onimun]

Milwaukee for the win!

[@AutoAutopsy]

The best!

[@onnovannoort7690]

Good video! Can we do requests? Would love to se a 3 inch downpipe on your 9³, would do really good with your d88 intercoller! Keep up the good work! Thanks

[@AutoAutopsy]

Thanks! I’ve already got one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q52aeHSce6p_Y9E

[@Bobmarley10119]

Hey I love your videos man. I was waiting so long for you to make a video on this and you did. I have a question though. Could you please write a list of all the tools you used. Like what mm sockets, I saw star t30, wobble extension etc. just a list of everything would help greatly. Great video though thanks!

[@AutoAutopsy]

I don’t believe there’s anything speciality needed - besides that wobble, it should all be done with basic tools! 😁👊🏼

[@Imverylucky11]

Did the method of smearing the gasket maker work? any oil leaks? I'll be doing this job later in the summer.

[@AutoAutopsy]

No leaks!

[@xzaviorsantos6092]

PLEASE DO AN OIL PRESSURE SWITCH VIDEO

[@JULY-pp8jk]

Did you guys remove the motor mount from the top left before jacking up the engine to take off the pan?

[@AutoAutopsy]

Nope

[@JULY-pp8jk]

@@AutoAutopsy Appreciate you bro!

[@imanwan2861]

Did you change those two engine mount, since you took it off already? I just changed mine with 130K miles. I do not feel any major difference before of after, but the rubber is torn in it.

[@AutoAutopsy]

If the rubber is torn, definitely replace! Ours was fine so no need to replace

[@mariusscout1]

12:26 Isn`t too much coollant in the expansion tank, assuming that the engine is cold?

[@thackerybrown2860]

They might have overfilled to let the system “burp” and wind up at the right level

[@AutoAutopsy]

^ yeah it’s a hair overfilled but it won’t cause any harm. There’s an overflow on the top of the tank

[@sergioq33]

I was wondering if there's a way to contact you I'm Having an issue with my 9-3 aero with the steering wheel lock malfunction and just wondering if you can recommend a site to get one of the parts that the dealer is having hard time to get it. Thanks

[@MrOikono]

First change the ISM

[@AutoAutopsy]

^ email and IG are the best ways to reach me. Both are in the description box 👍🏼👊🏼

[@marcogutierrez180]

Hey man I own a 2008 saab 93 keep getting in consistent boost engine light finally came on code p1312 changed the module still keep getting the same thing changed coil packs spark plugs even gapped them a couple times and nothing any help?

[@AutoAutopsy]

What module? The boost control valve?

[@fearnoproject2047]

Saab should have kept that second motor mount. Looks like a rock solid torque solution to me.

[@AutoAutopsy]

👊🏼👍🏼

[@chrisrodriguez1247]

Makes checking/changing/adding transmission fluid a pain

[@gabrielgomez2483]

They replaced it with the mount in the front on later cars

[@kelahpahang]

Where can I buy the sensor?

[@AutoAutopsy]

Esaabparts should have it

[@ezraa7777]

The same leak happens for cavaliers as it’s also an ecotec

[@AutoAutopsy]

Rip

[@chrisrodriguez1247]

Just remove whats left of the wheel liner😂 Damn i wish they had gargae rentals like that out my way

[@AutoAutopsy]

Damn thing was fighting us

[@fearnoproject2047]

Subaru guys have my sympathy. They endure a worse version of the stoplight session crispy-oil aromatics, wafting into the cabin from the exhaust directly under their leaking valve cover gaskets. Every used subie I have looked at, had that scent permeating the cabin.

[@AutoAutopsy]

😭

[@scottpierce5496]

Easier to pull clip, push sensor in a little. Put sealer, pull sensor back into place. Replace clip. Done deal.

[@jamesortiz4873]

They’re trying to charge me $500 to change the oil level sensor. Does that sound about right?

[@AutoAutopsy]

Seems a little steep, but there is a fair amount of labor involved

[@raffe65]

🫡👍🇸🇪

[@AutoAutopsy]

🙌🏼

[@ftby59mikeD]

The 2.8 T V6 is easier I understand.

[@AutoAutopsy]

Harder I think. You have to fish it out, but I could be wrong. I haven’t done it before 🤨