heinrich

I deleted my front flaps and have 2 comments: 1) what a pain in the behind and 2) what an incredible amount of access that has allowed now!!!

I have a question: how do post-90's look up there? What sort of ducting? I can't believe it would be just wide open ... does someone have a pic with the rad out, looking forward?

Nicole

All I can say is that my 91 without the flaps takes forever to warm up. Saab is warm after a mile; the 928 takes at least three times as long, if not more.

heinrich

My Bronco takes at least 10 minutes

Nicole

Slow warmup = long time until heater comes on, bad gas mileage, more wear, bad emissions.

I wonder what exactly Saab did to make mine warm up so quickly. By the time I get to 880, water temp is almost on full warm. And you know how close it is. On the 928 on cooldays, the needle has barely moved by then.

Jim_H

T stat may be the fix. All I know is I am amzed at how fast the 90 & 91 start pushing heat, within 2 or 3, maybe 4 minutes.

borland

So, already, it doesn't run like a new car?

The flaps should have no affect on the engine warmup. They do provide better temperature regulation than the thermostat alone.

Nicole

My car has no flaps, because it's a 91. And it DOES warm up to full and regular temperature. It just takes much, much longer than the other car. Maybe I'm just spoiled from the Saab - obviously the Swedes must know something about cold weather and heating...

SharkSkin

No flaps here either... Needle is straight up by the time I get to the freeway entrance, about 1.5 miles. Thermostat sounds like a good call. If your upper hose starts getting warm near the radiator before the needle moves, that's the culprit.

Nicole

Hmmm... I've got to check this out.

But I still think that in really cold temperatures, closed flaps would allow the engine to heat up a bit faster...

PorKen

Nicole,

The SAAB has a warmup program, whereby it retards ignition timing, and delays the automatic's shifting to make the engine run really hot. The oil cooler* (warmer) is located in the coolant filled 'V' of the block, so the oil warms quickly. For emissions, there is an electric air pump** that runs only at startup for 30 seconds or so, to light the cats.


*The oil cooler leaked, so I capped the cover, and used an air/oil cooler from the turbos with an external oil thermostat. BTW, if you haven't changed the oil cooler by 80K, then it will leak soon!
** I removed the whole 20lb air pump system, to make more room to work on the engine.

1995 SAAB 900SE Cabriolet

PorKen

One more thing about the SAAB.

The temperature gauge reading is normalized by the ECU. It will always be in the middle, unless it's really cold, or really hot!

Nicole

ang, Porken, now I feel fooled - by my Saab!

I did not realize you guys have the same engine as mine. Hope you haven't experienced as many oil leaks as I did. I'll PM you with a few questions, if you don't mind...

Daniel Dudley

Hienrich, has your cruising temp gone down ? Mine is always around 2/3 up the gage.

NickT

My '88 has the flaps but they are disconnected (fuse pulled) and have been for 5 years. Not noticed any lengthy warms ups.. A few minutes of driving and I have warmish air..

Mine never seemed to work right and I just didn't trust them, I take it Porsche didn't either as they removed them.

heinrich

Daniel I don't know as it's on my long-term project car. Soon though. However I pulled the fuse. Before that, on hot days, I could tell when they were closed because she ran a lot hotter.