2007 Saab 9-3: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jun 13, 2016 · Engine · 84,500 miles · MA

Needs valve job ($3k) due to improperly hardened valves. Very common problem on this car. Rough running when cold. Compression test verifies this condition: very poor when cold, but fine when warm. If left on-fixed, will cause permanent misfiring.

Filed Aug 11, 2014 · Engine · NC

Difficult or no start when cold, rough idle, low compression #4 cylinder.

Filed Feb 23, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 76,000 miles · NY

Upon start, rough idle and misfires. Occasional stalling. Defect traced to metallurgical issues in the intake valves of the vehicle causing an improper seal when the engine is cold.

Filed Jan 22, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NY

Began having issues starting, and misfires, and finally engine lost compression but still able to start when weather was warm. Nov -dec 2011 no start or hard start in weather below 35f,local service shop said needed new engine, no compression when sat for long periods or exterior temp below 35f approx 94,000 mile. Dec 2011- called saab but bankrupt so no customer service, reached out to gm corporate regarding warranty and was told not honoring them since bankruptcy. Jan 2012 -2nd opinion by indy saab focused service center. Thought wrong oil was put in and with proper oil car, new spark plugs, fuel pump, etc started even in cold weather, but still misfired and rough idle and had to start in cold had mild winter.jan 2013- same no start in cold and compression test again and cold test showed no compression in all cylinders. Hard to start when outside temp was below 30f and tested compression again and loss of compression, and ran sea foam through engine to remove carbon buildup upon suggestion from website board, others having issues with gm motors! Not specific to saab. Still randomly started car ever 6 hours when temp dropped below 28f. Mar 2013- did another top engine cleaning with sea foam, mild weather until december. Dec 4th 2013-again hard start in cold weather did another top engine cleaning with sea foam.jan 8, 2014- temp outside 22f no start again after sitting for 6 hours, battery dead from cranking, car towed, and no compression again, another 2 cycles top engine cleaning, car started after sitting in shop overnight. Jan 22, 2014- temp outside 16f, sat idle for 8 hours, no start again, battery died from cranking, car towed to shop, waiting on diagnosis. Found mention of spna technical bulletin dated 12/17/2013 hard starting cold w/ engine misfire and low compression 9-3 b207 and it described my issue perfectly. Reaching out local saab/gm service center.

Filed Jan 6, 2014 · Engine · 61,510 miles · NC

In cold weather (slightly below freezing at the time) vehicle started but idled very roughly. Drove down street and while coasting engine was idling and sputtered and stalled within 1 minute of initial start. Loss of brake assist, power steering, power to accelerate with traffic. Pulled off to side and restarted engine. Again rough idle. Applied gas pedal and held rpms slightly above idle to warm engine. After ~5 minutes, car was idling normally. No further issues once engine reached operating temperature. Upon research saab/gm (spna technical assistance) has issued a notice to certified service centers that intake valves are prematurely wearing causing severe issues in cold start situations. Notice is dated 12/17/2013 and was re-issued to expand scope of model years known to be effected. This warrants an investigation for potential recall, as no vehicle should result in such significant degradation of a major engine component with such limited miles. Repair requires major engine work to replace all intake valves.