How to Change a 1996 Saab 900 Head Gasket

Head gasket replacement on a 1996 Saab 900 can be a complex job. The head gasket is positioned inside the engine; in order for it to be accessed, the top portion of the engine must be disassembled. If the head gasket seal becomes worn and brittle, it will fail to keep the coolant and oil from mixing and can be the cause of several car problems, including engine overheating. Should you decide to replace the gasket, refer to Saab's owner's manual to prevent mechanical mistakes before replacement.

Instructions

1

Remove the battery cable to prevent accidental short circuit. Unfasten the bolt attached to the battery with a socket wrench to remove the battery's cord. Lift the battery out from its compartment and set it aside.

2

Drain the radiator. Position a tray under the radiator unit. Remove the pressure cap from the radiator and untwist the drain plug from radiator's base. Let the coolant flow into the tray. Replace the drain plug and pressure cap when the drain completes.

3

Disassemble the engine's cover plate. Detach its four corner bolts and set the cover with a socket wrench. Locate the head gasket, which will be positioned on top of the Saab's valve platform. Unfasten the small nuts on the valve platform with an adjustable wrench. Peel out the chunks from inside the gasket's valve grooves with a scraper if a brittle head gasket happens to break.

4

Set the replacement head gasket on top of the valve platform. Make sure that it snaps into place inside the platform's grooves.

5

Install the valve cover back on top of the gasket and secure the nuts back on with an adjustable wrench. Replace the engine cover and tightly secure its four bolts.

6

Remove the radiator fill cap and position a funnel inside its fill hole. Pour coolant inside the reservoir to the level specified in the 1996 Saab's owner's manual. Replace the radiator fill cap and run the engine for 10 to 15 minutes.

7

Reinstall a new air filter. Remove the oil cap and insert a funnel inside the filler hole. Add motor oil to the reservoir in the amount specified in Saab's owner's manual. Replace the oil cap and check the oil level with the engine's dipstick. Reinstall the battery and its cable.