Re: [MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
I had left it with around three gallons of fuel in the tank for 8 hours or so. Condensation becomes a problem when the temperature cycles up and down. With a lot of room in the tank for air, more comes in and releases its moisture into the tank. For short periods of time, it really doesn't matter. Likewise if the temperature is not fluctuating much. Also, below freezing there isn't all that much water vapor in the air to begin with. This recent arctic blast, though cold, has been _much_ less of a PITA than warmer temperatures that leave ice all over windows, etc. I filled up and hit the highway. I got about 5 miles and it just quit. Can you say 'bad gas'? Fillup followed by a stalled engine a few miles down the road is classic. -- Jim
Re: [MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
It was based on how much fuel went into the tank when I filled up. Brian Steve wrote: Was your observation on tank level based on memory of when last topped up, or the gauge? Gauges can do odd things in the cold, on older cars.
[MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
It's pretty funny that we were just discussing broken down cars in the cold, and I touted Saabs as being well-designed for cold. For the first time, mine let me down. It was about 5 below zero and I was on the highway. Best I can guess, there's frozen water in the fuel lines? I had left it with around three gallons of fuel in the tank for 8 hours or so. I'd done that many times in the past in similar temperature. I filled up and hit the highway. I got about 5 miles and it just quit. I noticed as I tried to restart it that the electric fuel pump sounds different - more labored perhaps. Hoping that warmer temps and some Heet may solve it. We haven't been in the habit of putting any money in the car - just using it 'til something big goes wrong. Brian 84 Saab 900
Re: [MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
Those console-mounted ignition switches stuck down where salt and crud could get to them, rotting them out. I had a girlfriend at one time who had an old Saab, she called me one day and said the car would not turn off. So I go there, and the switch was stuck on and could not be offed. I can't remember what I did, I think maybe told her to drive it to a shop where they replaced it. At least she wasn't stranded by not being able to on it. Another buddy had a Saab, had to replace the switch a time or two as well (and from junk falling in it from above). I inferred that they don't use salt on the roads in Svenska, or carry drinks, or have toddlers that emit upon them. --R Zoltan Finks wrote: It's pretty funny that we were just discussing broken down cars in the cold, and I touted Saabs as being well-designed for cold.
Re: [MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
Yes, while I appreciate why they did it, the console coke-catcher ignition is in a certain sense a design flaw. Recently I found that ice had built up in there (sunroof leaks a bit, and then it froze in the ignition switch). Some rubbing alcohol usually cures it. I also took a lighter to the key. Brian On 1/18/07, Rich Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Those console-mounted ignition switches stuck down where salt and crud could get to them, rotting them out. I had a girlfriend at one time who had an old Saab, she called me one day and said the car would not turn off. So I go there, and the switch was stuck on and could not be offed. I can't remember what I did, I think maybe told her to drive it to a shop where they replaced it. At least she wasn't stranded by not being able to on it. Another buddy had a Saab, had to replace the switch a time or two as well (and from junk falling in it from above). I inferred that they don't use salt on the roads in Svenska, or carry drinks, or have toddlers that emit upon them. --R Zoltan Finks wrote: It's pretty funny that we were just discussing broken down cars in the cold, and I touted Saabs as being well-designed for cold. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] OT The mighty fell My Saab stranded me in cold
on 1/18/07 1:09 PM, Zoltan Finks at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I had left it with around three gallons of fuel in the tank for 8 hours or so. I'd done that many times in the past in similar temperature. I filled up and hit the highway. I got about 5 miles and it just quit. Was your observation on tank level based on memory of when last topped up, or the gauge? Gauges can do odd things in the cold, on older cars. You are more or less guaranteed to have condensation in the tank that can freeze, unless you periodically use something to 'dry' out the fuel. You might have ice blocking the sock on the pickup in the tank. Mac
