In the Saab 9-5 there is a valve (Coolant Bypass Valve or Heater Bypass Valve) in the cooling system that is prone to failure, resulting in leaking coolant. The leakage can be sudden and the car can loose a lot of coolant in a very short time. If unlucky, this can happen on the highway and result in an overheating engine.
A few months ago the coolant bypass valve in our Saab 9-5 Aero from 2002 developed a large leak just as we were going on a long-awaited roadtrip. Since it was Friday evening, no mechanic would be able to look at it before Monday. Luckily we were able to buy a new valve (roughly 400 SEK or €40) from the local auto parts store and install it within two hours. In this video I show you how to some of the things I learned and some of the best tricks for this repair.
If you are watching this video because your car suddenly started leaking, don’t worry. While the repair might be a little cramped, it’s not difficult if you have the right tools. Note that this is not a full repair video since we already replaced the valve.
Tools needed:
Replacement bypass valve, Saab Part No 90566947.
Wire-operated hose clamp pliar. Highly, highly recommended. This one tool will make your day, and is well worth the money even if you only need it for this one job.
Bungee cord. Cheap to buy and highly recommended to pull the wiring harness to the right side of the engine, giving you more access to the valve.
Remember to turn off the AC when you are warming up the engine after re-filling the coolant. This allows the coolant to enter the heat exchanger and remove any air bubbles inside there.
Be sure to run the engine at least until it has reached operating temperature and then check the coolant level again.
I also recommend changing your vacuum lines while you have access to your coolant bypass valve. See my video on this topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6kWoCzDBdg
Did this video help you? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Swedish: Denna video visar hur man byter värmekran (även kallad värmeventil eller by-passventil) på en Saab 9-5. Plötsliga läckage av kylarvätska har ofta att göra med att denna kran läcker. Det är starkt rekommenderat att du köper en vajerstyrd slanglämmetång och en gummilina, dessa verktyg gör det mycket enklare.
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trionic seven i changed the sensor. i got new thermostate but it does not have a bleeder hole in bottom of it and parts store didnt give me the rubber seal which seats around thermostat. so i gotta get correct thermostat…im a also get the coolant bypass valve/heater bypass valve..but im not sure how it comes off being at firewall. no video showing how to remove it. I didnt see specifically the red/white check valve you mentioned in video. i will re check again. my husband tyrone is fixing car. his email address is: tyrone.maye@aol.com ok. he said he will look an picture it to show you what he sees from engine wit respect to changes you made from video u posted on the issue. he will also get the 10ft of silicone hose with inner diameter of 4mm and outer diameter of 8mm…we have a 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc 2.3T
I did this coolant bypass valve replacement, and now my heater is only blowing cold air. Perhaps I got an air bubble in the cooling system. Have you heard of the best way to bleed the air out when it's not going out by itself?
Thanks for the helpful videos and advice!
im about to do this job my 2004 SID was showing P0116 code. im not sure if the current heater bypass valve itself isnt faulty. so im gonna buy the new one to go on car. my temp needle in car sometimes dont move an other times it goes half way as if normal. i have the hose thermostat n sensor just need new heater valve n then i can tackle job..
I cannot see any leak underneeth engine nor on the floor?
what is the name of the part you removed at 3:30 ? i broke the nipple off of it . I believe it goes to the turbo bypass control
my car don't want to turn back on
i have just done my wayer leak on 30 v6 d308l engine all the nasty myths of head gaskets and liners mine is a 2001 with no175.679 mikes and was leaking into the v but all rumours i just had to fix it to prove it and i was right it was the water
pump.but how high it was you would think it was heads but not hard with a bit of know how cracking car and not to exspenive either if you need to one straight forward realy being interal and runs in oil and good idea the way it works
Hello trionic Seven. I have a Saab 9-3 that is leaking coolast flugit but as in this video i can not se where it leaks. I just need to refillkort the coolant very often. Could IT be the same problem as you had o your Saab 9-5 or can IT be something else? BMW Love your videos IT helps alot. Keep up the good Work!
I have had coolant in the same area as described in the video. I'm just wondering if the heater core were leaking, would the coolant collect in the same place – behind the front wheel driver's side about 30 cms in?
Got my 1st Saab a couple mo ago, 2002 95 ARC wgn, and I've been going thru things. after finishing all brakes, rotors and brake fluid flushing, I saw coolant leaking aft of engine and for the life of me couldn't see it. One again friend, your video helped IMMENSELY! If you and your's should ever travel to Oregon in the US I owe you a bed and a good meal!! Thanx!
So is it cool to drive for like four days at most until I get the part in? As long as I keep coolant in?
This video just saved me hours of frustration! I always maintain my own car, and luckily my 2004 9-5 has been performing very well without a problem. A coolant leak started recently, from the same location as described in this video. From underneath, the hose looks okay. I'm going to take a chance and replace this valve with a URO aftermarket valve. I think this will fix my problem. THANK YOU Jonathan! -Matt, Atlanta, Georgia
hey i got a 2001 saab 95 turbo but i dont kno how too refill my a.c coolant
Is there a way of bypassing this valve when it starts leaking? Mine just gone and can't get a replacement quickly.
Thanks
Can anyone tell me exactly where does the vacuum line coming out of the top of the bypass valve connect to?
Vilken storlek är klammrana ? ska göra detta ingrepp på min Aero i veckan som kommer…
Thank you for your video and help! I just replaced the thermostat and bypass valve on my daughter's 2003 9-5 Aero wagon. Your video was my guide. Thanks again!
Thanks for the vid, as again you are a great help!!
Since my last post, my head gasket has now started leaking and blowing
oil into the coolant . the Saab guy at planet Saab said they all blow
head gaskets around 120,000 miles…… Sigh…..( My chevy's never did) He told me how to re-torque the head but that didn't help. But at least I stripped and repainted the valve cover…….It will look real nice. sitting IN A FUCKING JUNK YARD!!!!!!! GRrrrrrrr!
-will this valve effect the air conditioner
Hej har alla den ventilen ?
I'm about to do this on my 2004 9-5 because I have a bad leak on the valve when I use my AC and I noticed the current bypass valve hoses are held on by the worm drive clamps. Would you suggest replacing them with the clamps you have or keeping the worm drive ones? Thanks!
I fucking hate my fucking SAAB! I have spent more money, and been on a tow truck more times in one year than in ten years with my Chevy. I 'm going to find a Swedish person regardless if they have ever worked at Saab and kick them in the nuts! Every time something is fixed, something else breaks! Every time I have to fix something, you have to take apart 4 or 6 other things to get to it. Wiring that just falls apart?! I got fifty year old triumphs and Buick's that the wiring is still good! What did they make the housing out of? CANDY!? WTF! "SAAB" stands for…..Somethings Always About (to) Break!…Or better yet, this ones for me, SOMETHING AN ASSHOLE BUYS! And now that I'm done with my rant, I'm dying to buy an early 90's 900 turbo stick so I can flog it like a rented mule! Cause I'm not done flushing my money down the toilet of SAAB. ;D
i recently bought a 1995 saab 900 se but i need a 4 digit code to use the radio anyone know what i could do?
should I disconnect the battery before unplugging and plugging in the wiring harness?
Thanks so much for doing the video! Took me about 30 minutes and not too bad if you have the right hose clamp removal tool..