Saab 1.9tid losing coolant

This is common issue early sign head gaskets failure for EJ251 SOHC engine for external coolant leak. Second gen 96-99 with EJ25D is worst because when head gaskets failed, it's an internal leak that allows coolant and oil mix together in the combustion chamber to destroy engine.
You can drive it for at least 6 months or more as long as you keep top up coolant since the leak should be small at a slower rate leak. I drove mine for a while before change head gaskets. You're looking at `$1000-1200 job a dealership since you might as well change the timing belt, water pump, idlers while engine is pulled to replace head gaskets.

Before head gasket replacement have you checked these
Intake Manifold Gaskets May Leak Coolant or Engine Oil
engine or leak. In some cases, an internal coolant leak may occur causing coolant to mix with the engine oil. Our technicians tell us that operating the engine with a coolant/oil mix can result in internal engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket should correct these leaks.
Leaking Water Pump May Cause Coolant Loss and Overheating
A coolant leak may develop from the . The may overheat as a result of the coolant loss. A leaking water pump should be replaced.
Headgasket replacement
step 1. undo negative battery cable or completely remove battery and tray.
step 2. remove air cleaner and associated piping if it is in the way to allow access to head, drain cooling system and remove upper radiator hose.
step 3. remove top portion of exhaust manifold.
step 4. remove intake manifold and fuel injection rail as necessary
step 5. remove spark wires and valve cover.
step 6. remove drive belts and top timing cover before removing timing belt find all alignment marks and paint to improve your visibility and aid in reassembly if no marks are present remove spark plug # 1 and rotate until piston is at tdc and check timing mark on crankshaft that it is on 0 then paint the belt and cams anything that has teeth that the timing belt rides on make a mark to aid in reassembly even if you are replacing t-belt at least you can compare to new belt and transfer marks, release tension on t-belt tensioner and remove t-belt.
step 7. remove head bolts start loosening at inside and work outwards reemove head bolts and pay attention to sizing and placement.
carefully check for anything that is still attached to head and if free tap head with rubber or dead blow hammer to free from block and lift straight up so as not to ruin or bend any of the alignment pegs.
step 8. remove head gasket material with non-scratching tools or scrapers or buff pads made for that job. making note of where it was blown.
step 9. decide if you should send head to machine shop to have mating surface made flat again and also to have valves and related parts inspected or replaced. usually about $300-$400
step 10. inspect block remove all gasket material look for pitting or scarring also use straight edge to determine if it is straight or if it needs to be resurfaced by a machine shop.
step 11. install new headgasket and check fit. If all is good reassemble in reverse order of removal and I always like to replace crank seal ,cam seal, water pump, t-belt and tensioner also thermostat, drivebelts, spark plugs, cap, rotor, wires, pcv valve, intake manifold ,exhaust manifold gaskets.
this is just a broad overview hope it helps you will have to get haynes manual or similar for head torque values and what not

If there is water in the oil, it wouldn't last long under the heat/pressure of the engine, so if you are seeing water it must be super fresh. Are you losing coolant? If so, then i'd suspect water pump/water pump gasket if you never had that replaced. It could be head gasket, but you would probably experience a consistent coolant loss with maybe loss of power or misfiring. You can check with a pressure/leak down test for head gasket. Either way, if you are losing coolant I'd check water pump. If you aren't losing coolant than it can't be the water pump or head gasket really letting "water" in.

Did you have the heads checked for cracks? sounds like you still have compression getting in the cooling system

if you are loosing coolant it has to go somewhere. rent a coolant pressurte tester from the big auto chain parts store. remove you spark plugs. have a good flash light. pressurize the system with the tester and look for leaks. your cavalir is known for bad intake manifold gaskets leaking coolant

HI. This issue has many causes. i will list the most common causes below.

Coolant consumption::: Possible causes______


1. Check the head gaskets. The gasket may be leaking.
2. Check The Intake Manifold Gasket. This gasket may be leaking, worn, or damaged
3. Check the cylinder head for worn or scorn cylinder block.(This will require total breakdown of the engine)

4. Check the water pump seal for leaks as well.

Now that we have covered the basic check points for coolant consumption, i would advise to concentrate on the head gaskets if there are no apparent leaks on or around the engine itself. If the head gaskets are worn, the leak can be introduced to the engine internally, causing the engine to burn off the coolant. this is noticeable by removing the oil cap, after a hard drive. you Will notice steam that will escape the head as soon as you remove the cap. If this is the case, your problem will be with a failed head gasket.

IN a severe case, you will notice white plums of smoke escaping from the tail pipe during acceleration.

Things can only get get worse and that means more expense. Like mine, better to do the head gasket asap while it's not too expensive or at least get the head bolt torque settings checked after the rebuild as they may need tweeking.

Check your oil dipstick for coolant, or a mucky substance. Your symptoms sound like a blown head gasket.

drain engine coolant.relieve belt tension .and remove the drive belt.remove upper fan shroud.remove fan or fan and clutch assembly.remove water pump pulley and coolant hoses from water pump.remove water pump bolts.then remove pump from engine.pay attention to bolts location because they are different lenghts.clean water pump gasket mounting surface dont scratch .or pump gasket wont seal and leak .apply sealant to water pump bolts.install water pump with new gasket.if gasket paper put a sealant on it.torque water pump bolts to 30 ft lbs.if you got a 2.2L engine torque water pump bolts to 18 ft lbs.install coolant hoses on pump .install water pump pulley.install fan and fan clutch assembly.install the drive belt .and the upper fan shroud.fill the radiator with coolant.then run engine to check for leaks.WARNING AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION REMOVE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE SO CAR WONT BE CRANK BY ACCIDENT. ALSOOOO DONT FORGET TO TURN OFF RADIO FIRST BEFORE DISCONNECTING BATTERY SO YOU WONT LOSE YOUR RADIO CODE.

It could be your head gasket.