Brian has helped us before with his Citroen ZX 16v (among others!) and this time he has fitted an Ecotek to his fathers Saab 900.

He says: "the first picture shows the parts you need remove to be able to get at the servo pipe nice and close to the manifold. You don't have to completely remove the tube, its just easier to enable you to remove the resonance chamber, or the big plastic bit that sits atop the throttle body.

Pic 2 shows the little bleeder in place, no sleeving over required, as the pipe is that thin walled stuff. you can see the NRV up the line, against the bulkhead, under the strut brace (factory fit item). The valve is angled down to enable me to fit the pipercross filter when the big plastic bit is replaced.

Pic 3 shows it all back together again, with Pipercross filter fitted, you can see why you need to position the valve as I have done, makes it easier to get hold of for retuning as required.

And that's it Saab owners, a Stanley knife and a screwdriver, a couple of jubilee clips and its on. Tune as normal and start enjoying. The car is a 96 (N) Saab 900S 2.0(1985cc)16v quoted as 140bhp by Saab, about 50,000 miles old now. Also when I spoke to my father recently, he is getting around 38 mpg, up from 32-ish. As he didn't do a brim to brim pre-device, that's the trip computers 32, but even so it makes around 18% increase. I would conservatively guess at least 10-12% of that is real increase, the only way to find out would be to do a brim with the device off, but there's no chance of that now he's used to the improved response from the engine.

Julian Cartwright the editor of the excellent The Saab Enthusiasts Club has recently tested the device on his 99 and other members cars (a Turbo and a 96V4).

Here is what he said in the Jan - Feb 2001 issue of the Club magazine in full: 

"The Ecotek CB-26P (it stands for Clean Burn 2.6 litre petrol) is an unassuming little gadget that fits onto a vacuum line (usually the brake servo hose) on the inlet manifold of any petrol-engined car and claims to make significant reductions to emissions, along with improvements to fuel consumption and general drivability. The device is basically a bleed valve that injects metered amounts of air into the inlet manifold at specific pressures. This has the effect of preventing excess petrol being drawn into the engine during periods of hard acceleration or deceleration and excess load. Furthermore, the device produces a venturi effect that creates turbulence in the inlet manifold, leading to improved fuel suspension and a more efficient and cleaner burn.

Independent DTI test results provided by Ecotek claim that fuel consumption is reduced on average by 21.8% and that emissions are also significantly reduced (Hydrocarbons down 4.8%, CO down 27.9% plus similar reductions of other noxious gases). All sounds very impressive so far but what’s it like in practice?

The Ecotek CB-26P was first installed on my 1975 Saab 99 (single carb 2 litre - pictured). Fitting was simplicity in itself and took a matter of minutes: After cutting the brake servo hose a couple of inches from where it exits the inlet manifold, the unit was plugged into the two ends and clamped up with a couple of jubilee clips.

To tune the CB-26P, the valve is opened until the device makes a slurping noise (accurately described as the noise made when you get to the bottom of a McDonalds milkshake!). The valve is then closed until the slurping just stops and then closed a further 90 degrees – in reality I found it had to be closed a little more than this to prevent spurious slurps. The device is now correctly set up and can be tested by revving the engine - slurping should only occur on the overrun.

To test Ecotek’s claims for emissions reduction I measured the before and after CO readings on a Gunson Gastester. CO had dropped from 3.5% to 2.6%, a reduction of around 25%, which backs up Ecotek’s test results. So far so good…

A test drive with the device installed led to some pretty impressive observations: The throttle response was a lot smoother and the car had a tendency to pull a lot better in all gears, particularly higher up the rev range. The breathlessness that plagues the single carb B engine at higher revs was substantially reduced and the old dear even managed to wheelspin once or twice! On the downside I noticed that idle had taken on a slightly lumpy quality. Ecotek explained that this was to be expected until the nylon valve had bedded in to the aluminium body. Sure enough, a week later and the lumpiness is virtually gone. Fuel consumption appears to be down too. Although it’s too early to give conclusive figures it so far looks as though I’m getting an extra 2 or 3 mpg. I might get more if the improvements to throttle response hadn’t caused me to develop a heavier right foot!

The device has been tried out on Debbie’s 96 V4 and has shown similar reductions to emissions. The car also has a general tendency to pull a little better. The effect on drivability was similar to that experienced when the Highgate twin exhaust was first fitted, albeit on a lesser scale. However, it was noticeable nonetheless. Dave Thorne is also testing a unit on his 900 T16 cabriolet. It was too early for Dave to obtain any results before this magazine went to print but testing is ongoing and Dave’s findings will be posted in the next issue.

All in all an impressive little gadget that meets all the claims made of it. In these days of spiraling fuel prices and ever-stricter emissions requirements, anything that benefits us as drivers of older cars has got to be worth a look in. I’m of the opinion that the Ecotek CB-26P is well worth the retail price of around £49 (inc. VAT and P&P). The unit, available in gold, red or blue, carries a 2yr guarantee and there’s also a no quibble money back guarantee if you are not entirely happy with it. For further information on the CB-26P, contact Ecotek on 020 8287 3472 or check out the company’s website at www.cleanburn.co.uk

Many thanks to Barclay Lamont at Ecotek for the supply of the test units and providing much help and assistance. Thanks also to Dave and Debbie for providing their cars to act as Guinea pigs."

Jan / Feb 2001 issue Saab Enthusiasts Club Magazine. 

You can contact him on editor@saabenthusiasts.co.uk and you must visit their site on: www.saabenthusiasts.co.uk .

John Griffin wasn't too happy fitting the device to the servo on his Saab 900 16v Turbo so he has tapped the device into the manifold just after the throttle body. Here is a picture of the fitting - he says:

"Firstly, there is a noticeable, but not dramatic, improvement in drivability - when I change gear the power does not seem to dip as much and it adds to the feeling of a continual build up of speed rather than a series of steps. Idle quality has improved - it is more stable. I have only done one long trip but I know what I usually get mpg wise and this time Igot na increase of 15% - it's only the first test but it's very encouraging" John Griffin - 16th June 2001.

Thanks John - we are grateful for the details of what is probably an ideal way to fit the device.