Call either Charles River Saab (costly but knowledgeable) or Ellis Imports
(Not as costly but knowledgeable). Both are good choices.

The problem is that the pump is at the back of the engine under a whole lot
of crap (at least on the older Saabs). It is the time required to get to the
pump that is the killer, as the pumps are usually $75-125.

Jeremy

P.S.
when you say Boston, I am assuming Massachusetts.

Jeremy

What model year, what engine?

I had similiar problem with my 1985 when i first bought it.  the car would
squeel sputter and stall.  (i thought it was power steering but found out
water pump was culprit)  finaly the water pump froze up on it and it
wouldn't run.  I don't remember how much it was to fix but it wasn't to bad.
I had a whole laundry list of other things repaired at the same time.  good
luck.

rod

If we're talking a classic 900 (ie. Saab 900 in the 'classic' shape as
hatchback, sedan or convertible made between 1979 and 1993 [94 for the c900
convertibles]), the water pump is going to be a bugger to replace but it can
be worthwhile getting a Saab tech to do the work so that all the other items
around that area (alternator, etc.) can also be checked. The alternator or
water pump in my 89 16V car makes a lot of noise but I think it's the
alternator. It'll be having a service soon though and if I don't solve the
problem beforehand it can be done my a tech.

I'm going to try removing belts for the water pump and alternator then turn
each item by hand to see if either one exhibits tell-tale squeaky sounds
while rotating. Another idea can be to remove the belts and manually run the
belt over each respective pulley if there's room and turn the belt while
pulling back on the pulley just like the engine is rotating slowly.

Regards,

Craig.