2A•10 Engine in-car repair procedures
6.19a The bright link on the timing chain
must be aligned with the slot in the
sprocket (arrowed)
6.19b Tightening the timing chain retainer
bolts
6.25 Setting the timing chain tensioner
(B204 engine)
balance shaft engines, refit the retainer and
tighten the bolts (see illustrations).
20 Locate the timing chain in the fixed guide,
then refit the guide and tighten the bolts.
21 Refit the sprocket to the end of the
exhaust camshaft, insert the bolt and finger-
tighten it at this stage. Do not apply thread-
locking fluid to the threads of the bolt.
22 Check that the crankshaft and camshafts
are still at their TDC positions.
23 Feed the timing chain up through the
cylinder head aperture, and locate it on the
exhaust camshaft sprocket, making sure that
it is taut between the two sprockets. Check
that it is correctly located on the guides.
Where the chain has a bright link, make sure
that it is aligned with the timing mark.
24 Engage the inlet sprocket with the timing
chain so that the engagement cut-out and
projection are in alignment, then locate the
sprocket on the inlet camshaft, and insert the
bolt. Finger-tighten the bolt at this stage. Do
not apply thread-locking fluid to the threads of
the bolt. Where the chain has a bright link,
make sure that it is aligned with the timing
mark.
25 Set the timing chain tensioner as follows.
On models manufactured before 1988, push
the plunger fully into the tensioner body, and
turn it to lock it. On later models, use a
screwdriver to press down the ratchet, then
push the plunger fully into the tensioner, and
release the ratchet (see illustration). Check
the tensioner washer for condition and renew
it if necessary.
26 Insert the tensioner body in the cylinder
head, and tighten to the specified torque.
27 On models manufactured up to 1988,
trigger the tensioner by pressing the pivoting
chain guide against the tensioner, then press
the guide against the chain to provide it with
its baste tension. When the engine is started,
hydraulic pressure will take up any remaining
slack.
28 On models manufactured after 1988,
insert the spring and plastic guide pin in the
tensioner, then fit the plug together with a
new O-ring, and tighten it to the specified
torque. Note: New fens/oners are supplied
with the tensioner spring held pre-tensioned
with a pin. Do not remove this pin until after
the tensioner has been tightened into the
cylinder head. When the engine is started,
hydraulic pressure will take up any remaining
slack.
29 Temporarily refit the crankshaft pulley bolt,
and rotate the engine two complete turns
clockwise. Check that the timing marks still
align correctly. Remove the pulley bolt. Where
the chain has bright links, note that these will
not now be aligned with the timing marks.
30 Fully tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts
to the specified torque, while holding the
camshafts with a spanner on the flats.
31 Refit the cylinder head cover with
reference to Section 4.
B204/B234 (balance shaft) engines
32 Refit the sprockets to the ends of the
balance shafts, and tighten the retaining bolts.
33 Locate the balance shaft chain sprocket
on the front of the crankshaft, with the word
"Saab" facing outwards.
34 Fit the chain to the sprockets, making sure
that the timing marks are aligned correctly
(see illustration).
35 Refit the idler to the front of the block, and
tighten the retaining bolt.
36 Refit the side guide, tensioner and upper
guide to the balance shaft chain (see
illustration).
37 Rotate the crankshaft one turn, and check
that the balance shaft timing marks are still
correctly aligned.
All engines
38 Refit the timing cover with reference to
Section 5.
6.34 The balance shaft timing marks must
be correctly aligned before refitting the
chain
6.36 Depress the balance shaft chain
tensioner plunger (arrowed) and retain with
a plastic cable-tie
Before refitting the tensioner, hold its
plunger depressed by fitting a plastic
cable-tie around it. Cut the tie after
refitting.