[nell_z]

For once I'm gonna stop pretending like I know everything and ask a few questions (even obvious ones) just to make sure I don't dig myself in a hole I can't get out of.

So about the Saab 9-3, atop of the radio is a digital screen showing the trip computer, radio station, volume, etc. If its blanked out, what exactly would that mean and is it cheaper for me to get it fixed or replace the radio and screen with something aftermarket?

The tailpipe is blowing out a lot smoke out back and its probably because the oil is low but could it be something else?

There's a lot of liquid on the right side of the engine which I'm almost 100% sure is oil, looks like it could be a valve cover leak. If so, how much would that cost to get fixed?

The knob for to change the direction of the ac/heat is LITERALLY stuck, like it won't move. At all. The ac works fine and the speed of the air knob works, just the direction of the air (i.e floor, defroster, blend, etc.) WILL NOT move. What could that be?

Is there anything else I should be worried about with the Saab?

[docCarter]

Did you check the hubcaps? Male sure the headlights aren't leaking fluid?

[nell_z]

I'm not getting it...too many issues associated with it.

[docCarter]

Whimp.

[nell_z]

Bitch.

[docCarter]

Punk.

[zeep]

If the oil get's changed and it's still smoking then it could either be the head gaskets or the turbo is going bad. Those are very expensive fixes I'm guessing.
Here's a couple of videos of a 2000 9-3 with that problem but it was the turbo that went out. What engine does that particular 9-3 have? 2.0 liter, 2.3 liter?






The radio screen might be an electrical problem.
I don't know about the ac/heat switcher.

[nell_z]

Wasn't NEARLY that bad. Not even close. Its a little smoke, but enough to have me worried...

[zeep]

Who's selling the car?

[AudiR8]

Make sure it isn't low on blinker fluid, too.

[bluestinger66]

Dont forget to do a complete flush of the air in the tires.
Winter air is denser than summer air, so it makes the car heavier...

[bluestinger66]

If its only smoking a little , its probably just the muffler bearing...
or maybe the rear bumper control module...

[Super Sport]

Sounds to me like a headgasket issue or some toher serious issue. It's apparently buring and leaking oil.

I think i'd stay away from Saabs for that time period, especially that particular example.