Zhenya’s live chapter: workshop log, mechanical truth, and Highway 9 as the release criterion.
Steward #9 · 206,250 mi · San Jose, CA
Baseline
The B235R still owes compression, leak-down, hot oil pressure, and heat-soak data. These numbers are captured in the ninth steward’s baseline inspection session, which has not been run yet — so every reading below stays UNKNOWN. Pending is honest, not a placeholder for an invented figure.
Compression
UNKNOWNLeak-down
UNKNOWNOil pressure
UNKNOWNHeat soak
UNKNOWNSuspension adjuster
UNKNOWNMechanical truth
2009–2011
Held in the private dossier · Inv 70617 / 75602 / 77336
Bottom-end diagnosis in Dec 2009, DIY rebuild by the owner’s brother confirmed by Scanwest in Dec 2010 at 88,222 mi, and forged pistons / 90.5 bore noted again in May 2011. Exact rebuild mileage is approximate because the source trail contains mileage inconsistencies.
Live entries from the 9th Route. Planned work is UNKNOWN until it is measured.
done
FACTProblem
California registration requires a current smog certificate after the Route 8 handoff.
Evidence
Owner statement — smog test passed 19 June 2026, ~206,250 mi (invoice pending archive).
Decision
Logged as FACT in the dossier; file the certificate when the receipt is archived.
Next step
Keep the 8 July 2026 registration packet with the smog paperwork.
done
FACTProblem
First service interval under 9th stewardship — establish a known oil baseline at purchase mileage.
Evidence
Owner statement — oil and filter changed 19 June 2026; filled with 5W-40 (~206,250 mi).
Decision
Log viscosity and date; note brand and filter part number when the receipt is archived.
Next step
Record oil brand in `_docs/`; track consumption over the next 1,000 mi.
blocked
UNKNOWNProblem
Battery went fully flat after roughly two weeks without driving — voltage read ~6 V.
Evidence
Owner statement (June 2026, ~206,250 mi). Parasitic source not yet identified.
Decision
Measure parasitic draw after a full charge, isolate the circuit, or install a battery cut-off until the root cause is known.
Next step
Log resting voltage and mA draw; photograph the meter reading.
planned
UNKNOWNProblem
The rebuilt B235R has history, but not enough present-day measurement.
Evidence
Bottom-end diagnosis, forged-piston note, warm-start trail, high mileage, and missing baseline numbers.
Decision
Start with compression, leak-down, hot oil pressure, and heat-soak behavior before claiming anything.
Next step
First baseline session and documented readings.
Sharp problems first, then structure, mechanical core, electrics, aesthetics. Highway 9 only after the measurements agree.
Nothing cosmetic until the car is safe and measurable.
Washington years + age + 206k mi — lift the car before storytelling.
The rebuilt B235R chapter must be resolved with instruments, not lore.
Trionic, charging, lighting, and the long tail of Saab small failures.
Honest miles should look honest — after mechanical truth.
Saratoga → Santa Cruz. The road is the test after the 9th Route earns it. No photo essay until the first complete run exists.
Temperature · oil pressure · boost · notes.
Planned record
Not invented. Waiting on the first run.
Planned record
