Overheating Saab 9-5 - Thermostat?

could be the thermostat or a torn hose

it's possible that the thermostat is simply frozen shut and needs to be replaced but I doubt it. The thermostat is a cheap little thing so the cost of the part shouldn't be very much at all but the work it takes to replace it might be more significant. However I am not convinced that this is your problem. If your engine were overheating the gauge should show it, and your coolant would be boiling into the overflow tank. Usually there isn't much of a smell either because it's mostly just steam.

It might even be something as simple as the goon who changed the oil last did a sloppy job and spilled oil onto the exhaust manifold. That will definately make a burning smell! The smoke from under the bonnet and the strong smell makes me think this might just be spilled oil. Check the oil level just to be sure that it's not low and leaking oil from some other location though. If it's just spilled oil it shouldn't take that long to burn off and the smell will go away on it's own.

If the engine was really overheating you would know. The gauge would spike, you would feel alot of heat coming from the floorboards and when you opened the hood you would see fluid boiling into the resevoir.

We had a 1990 Saab Turbo that had a constant overheating problem when we moved to the Desert Southwestern USA. We had a heavy-duty radiator installed, and that seemed to help. If the fan is not coming on, that sounds like more of an electrical problem. (We had a bunch of electrical problems with the car, too.) Try to find a local mechanic (not a dealership) because they will know more about how to fix these "quirky" problems. After four years, we had to give up the car because it was not reliable enough to use for work. That Saab was the favorite car we loved to hate! Fond memories (it was fast!) but not terribly sorry to see it go.

back, individuals might desire to specify the Engine form for precise suggestion. besides the shown fact that, coolant leak skill that it is popping out of someplace and checking the thermostat won't help with the leak. What you will possibly desire to do is to rigidity attempt the cooling equipment and discover the leak. as a techniques using fact the thermostat is going, if the temp guage on the dashboard keeps to be at conventional (someplace contained in the midsection) then there is not any problem with it and no might desire to do something to it. conceivable motives of the leak could be as basic using fact the coolant cap being fauilty or unfastened or might properly be there's a unfastened clamp on between the coolant hoses. So, attempt it formerly doing something. by utilising a thank you to purpose the cooling equipment will require a definite device to be attched on the coolant tank filler section. the terrific ingredient is to discover a shop that in the time of basic terms works on Saab and have them verify and stunning the problem. I even have considered Saab like yours tormented by coolant loss and run cool and all the unexpected the coolant leaked at as quickly as and the engine replaced into broken. you do no longer want any coolant leak in this form of motor vehicle it is going to value you lots of money if the engine is broken using loss of coolant. back the main inexpensive ingredient to do would be to purpose for leak in the present day and then stunning the leak. make certain you utilize Saab areas. The after marketplace section is extremely low-priced and can fail real away. even be sure you utilize unique Saab coolant. No preston or Pepboys, autozone stuff. in case you utilize those form you are able to harm the pinnacle gasket and back will value you lots of $$$$.

Check the lower front of the engine to see if the crank seal is sweating. This is the most common source of leakage on a 99 9-5. The water pumps also leak externally. The o-ring around the distributor plug also gets hard and leaks. This will have oil leaking from it on the right side of the head. Just because you have a leak....doesn't mean it is necessarily coolant. These things are known for oil leaks more often than not.

I don't think you have an overheating problem. You should check the coolant to be sure that it isn't low

All cars with turbo's are prone to seals inside the turbo leaking and letting oil inside the hot exhaust pipe and being that you could smell the smell at the back of the car I think this could be your problem, Usually when this happens the bearings also go bad in the turbo and there will be an excessive whine (hi-pitched) when accelerating. All turbo's whine a little but if it whines a lot that is your problem. The turbo is not cheap but is fairly easy to install

good luck

Your coolant diverter valve is probably leaking. It is mounted behind the intake manifold along the firewall. It looks like a large black 3 way device. Its purpose is to block coolant from entering the heater core when the AC is engaged thereby reducing the overall heat load coming across the evaporator coils. It is about 4 inches tall. This is a common failure in these cars.

Check the Direct Ignition Cassette. It is burnt. The car will eventually stop.

GSD PAL is right.sounds like the heater bypass valve is leaking.common problem.Its kind of a muther to get to though.may wanna let a pro handle it.