2000 9-3 rough idle at start

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Craig Christian - 12 Jul 2004 19:32 GMT

Hi,

My wife's car, a 2000 9-3 convertable 2.0l, idles extremely rough at start
for about 60 seconds and then it smooths out. I know nothing about Saab,
but do my own maintenance on my vehicles.

This problem sounds to me like it could be a partially clogged air or fuel
filter. Before I spend the money on them, does this sound correct to
the Saab owners out here, or is it some wierd thing like the DI (?)
cassette. (What is that thing anyway?)

BTW, email is broken, so please respond here.

Craig C.

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Larry Silvey - 14 Jul 2004 00:21 GMT

Craig,

My wife has a 2001 9-3 convertible with the same problem. Dealer says
it is the gasoline in our area (Austin, Texas). Because of air
quality issues, more alcohol is being mixed with the gasoline. SAAB
doesn't like it. He says they see the same problem in the Pittsburgh
area.

He installed a software update, but she still says it idles rough on
cold start.

If you find another explanation, I'd like to hear about it.

Larry Silvey

> Hi,
>
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>
> Craig C.

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Curt Sellmer - 17 Jul 2004 00:28 GMT

I have a 2002 9-3 and I have experienced the same rough
idle at start and I too live in Austin, TX.

Curt

> Craig,
>
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> >
> > Craig C.

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Larry Silvey - 19 Jul 2004 22:12 GMT

One more observation on this subject...For the first few months we had
the car, we always used premium gas (92 Octane). Always had the rough
idle problem when the engine was cold.

The last two fill-ups, we have used regular gas (87 Octane). Guess
what? Much smoother idle with little or no "chugging" on a cold
start.

I'm not sure what that means, but I'm liking the savings. I've
noticed a difference in fast acceleration where the turbo is working
hard. Maybe a compromise is in order with the mid grade gas.

Larry Silvey

> I have a 2002 9-3 and I have experienced the same rough
> idle at start and I too live in Austin, TX.
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> > >
> > > Craig C.

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