Saab - Timing Chain Tensioner Removal

Replacing the gasket on a 1999 Saab 9-3's timing chain tensioner, same procedure used for any Saab B204/234 or B205/235 engine.

[@tome8373]

You might not think so. This video is completely and totally underrated. It should be named after the engine and off the car because my 2002 it is exactly alike and listing the tools the way that you did as well as helpful tips made this for my thing that I would have to take to the shop or something that I did in 40 minutes in my garage. Thank you so much for taking the time to film yourself doing this.

[@saabross3171]

Thank you taking the time to leave such a lovely comment. Making jobs straightforward for other people to fix their own Saabs is the whole purpose of this channel!

[@Craigusized]

Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to explain clearly and get a good camera angle.

[@gorinator]

You are the man. I've read a guide for this process, but now I'm actually ready to do it. Thank you for taking the time, to make these videos, to figure out a way to get a camera angle before you proceed, and to add in part numbers, torque specs, and helpful red circles. Keep up the good work!

[@saabross3171]

Hey thanks Ryan. The whole point of these videos is to demystify the process that shops charge 4x for. If you're keeping a Saab on the road in 2018, I say you deserve the info on how to do so free of charge! Just knowing you have to confidence to do the job makes the time put into these videos 100% worth it. Glad it was of help, I can't thank you enough for the feedback

[@gorinator]

I had it out last night, my tensioner measures 14.5mm extended, and I do indeed need to order those two seals. I'll add that I think it's easier to push the plunger to full extension and count the clicks. I've got 4 clicks left. It clears up any uncertainty about measurement method. My 01 9-3 is my first and only car, I've had it for 10 years and I'm stubbornly determined to keep it going. My last few visits to the shop were for the yearly inspection. After 9 years of wrenching out of necessity, I can finally afford the nice parts I was eyeballing in high school! I owe a debt to the Saab forums, and more recently you and SaabTech, for keeping me on the road. Now I'm keeping it interesting with the rascals at TrionicTuning. If you haven't gone down that rabbit hole, I'd be glad to get you started. They lured me in with OpenSID, now my car's drinking alcohol (E85) and making obnoxious torque.

[@randyeastman4500]

@@saabross3171 hey , mine is leaking too, should i replace the tensioner ? the 8048670 comes up as the larger seal, would you have the part number for the seal on the first bolt ? thank you.

[@saabross3171]

@@randyeastman4500 That should be the correct part number for the o-ring. www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts/8048670

[@Texmotodad]

Thanks for including the red highlights showing the items.

[@aboyd1988]

Very helpful video and clear footage. Thank you!

[@yhird]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@Jonnybladeful]

Excellent video!

[@un-_-known688]

Thank you for replying yet again

[@tome8373]

If you were doing this type of video for an F150 or Silverado or any mainstream sedan you would have a million subscribers easily.

[@saabross3171]

I'm glad you think so! A million Saab subscribers would be the dream though 😉

[@saabross3171]

@Tyler Pyper Thank you sir

[@Pixelology]

I always forget that the NG900/OG9-3 had the B series engines. I was looking for a tutorial forever on how to check the timing chain tensioner on a 9-5 and skipped your video serveral times until I realized "Hey, thats my engine (basically)!"

[@saabross3171]

Basically. Same procedure as the 9-5, except the 9-5 has that bracket over the tensioner whereas the 9-3 is wide open

[@Pixelology]

@@saabross3171 Do I need to drain the oil before checking the tension?

[@ronaldgodfrey8459]

Scott B 1 year ago Good job on the videoing me like look easy I am going to try it.

[@saabross3171]

You can do it! Best of luck, it's indeed fairly simple.

[@AndyBlock]

Excellent video...quick question. I have the 9-5 which means this is a worse job because that bracket is in the way. It is virtually impossible to see what you are doing. Wondering if I could try just replacing the outer gasket on the 12mm bolt and see if the leak goes away.

[@saabross3171]

I have a 9-5 too. You can try, but honestly Andy just remove that yoke mount on the left side of the engine. With that mounting bracket off you access the tensioner and do the full job pretty easily. You can also do it with the bracket on (the one that has the hole mentioned in the video). But yeah you gotta do it by feel. Ive done a couple that way, not much to see anyway. Just don't drop anything!! Haha

[@kevindonohue3183]

My garage diagnosed oil leaking from the timing chain cover-(requiring a removal of the engine and removal of the head gasket and resealing of the timing chain cover). Is it possible the oil leak is coming from the timing chain tensioner? I guess a visual check of the TC tensioner might help to see if oil is seeping out. 2001 9-5 Aero 156K. Thanks.

[@un-_-known688]

Hiya, i did this today on my 9-5 saloon because of a squeak, thats gone now but it squeals intensely start up and the goes after 5 min. Do you know what could of happened? I pulled the metal pin out of tensioner belts on things and tight.

[@saabross3171]

Is the tensioner bad? I'm curious to know more bc I'd hate if you put say a Pro Parts Sweden tensioner in and the tensioner is bad...

[@un-_-known688]

@@saabross3171 its a gates tensioner i have been assured it wont be that due to the make, but i dont know, going to investigate lol.. he told me, at 50k thebelt should of been bedded onto old unit? But the pully thing is smooth on new and old the belt is not super hard and a bit shiny, so the belt is a obvious next guess but the thing is just prior to the new tensioner, it squeaked at tensioner now very very loud screech. Ile msg on updates... my fingers crossed..

[@syntheticlubricant699]

💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

[@leonagraca2239]

can the tensioner be adjusted or is it self adjusting??

[@saabross3171]

It's self adjusting, thus the spring-loaded design.

[@leonagraca2239]

@@saabross3171 thankyou. I guess I need new guides or new chain then thanks still getting a tinkling noise despite having changed the upper guide on the head

[@saabross3171]

@@leonagraca2239 How many miles we talking? I now have 220k on the car shown in the video, and I agree, there comes a time to replace the chain and all the plastic guides bc there's only so much a timing chain can stretch. Mine sounds like a Panzer tank driving up the driveway, and still drives like a champ, but to replace all the guides requires removal of the whole engine. Those guides get hard and brittle and, with the stretched chain slap, it all adds to the overall noise.

[@normt5463]

@@saabross3171 does it only sound bad under load or idle too?

[@saabross3171]

@@normt5463 Both

[@tsu-7u]

Getting the tensioner down to end of threads is so hard for me for some reason

[@joshrawks21]

You're not suppose to tie down the timing chain for it won't get messed up?

[@saabross3171]

Doing in car? Not at all. The tensior pushes against a plastic guide which pushes against the chain, can't mess it up. Unless you have the valve cover off or are doing extended engine work there's no where to even access let alone tie down the chain

[@joshrawks21]

Saab Ross Oh alright. Was just wondering as I was told to tie down the chain with zip ties when replacing the chain tensioner on my 08 93 2.0T also wonder if it's any different since you say it's not needed. Will verify for sure before I do the job as always. Also if you're on Facebook join the group Saabmerica!

[@DD-rk3ye]

Need help my friend

[@saabross3171]

Hey bud, how may I help?

[@DD-rk3ye]

@@saabross3171 Managed to fixe it thank you very much for response. Best cumpliments