I'm not new to engine work, I am a trained diesel tech. Worked in the heavy duty diesel field for 20 years. I am confident in my work. Just wasn't sure if I should be so confident in the car. This is our 2nd volvo car ever. 1st one was a 850 GLT, non-turbo. Ran awesome. That car lead me into the one ...

my head gasket was blown, no question. Replaced it, then still had smoke, never thought to check turbo while it was off. When I did it was big time loose, shaft had a lot of play. Car has 156,000 miles. I replaced it with a used turbo. Runs great now. No blow by, no smoke, just perfect!
Turbos can ...

I have this nice clean solid 850 turbo. Bought it with a bad head gasket. Didn't appear to have over heated, and the previous owner said it didn't, just started skipping and dumping coolant. His story seems valid. Anyhow, the car now has about 156,000 miles. New head gasket, water pump, timing belt ...

I picked up a used turbo from a volvo tech. My turbo was bad. The compressor could touch the housing due to the shaft being so loose. I installed the replacement turbo and it runs like a champ! No more smoke. Good power. Project complete!
With the bad turbo, the car ran fine, and when cold didn't ...

I picked up a good used turbo for $150. The guy I got it from runs a volvo shop. I'm going to try getting this in tomorrow and hopefully we will be ready to roll!

due to a kitchen remodel I didn't touch the volvo for a few weeks. But I did work on it this week finally. I popped the exhaust pipe off the turbo and checked the turbo shaft for any play. It was quite loose. I pulled the turbo off the car, and with it off you can actually get the compressor wheel ...

I replaced the pcv box when I had the head off as it is under the intake manifold. I didn't know if it needed a new one, I just did it while it was out in the open. 1 thing I didn't mention, I did hook that up wrong, I had the top 2 pipes backwards, so had to remove intake again anyway and put them ...

the car has 156,000 miles. I didn't check shaft play on the turbo. Its easy enough to do though so in the next day or two I will pop off the exhaust and check it out.
So if it is stem seals, I am safe to assume the head has to come off again? Really not interested in doing that. If it comes to it ...

Sorry, I think it is a 1996 if that makes much difference. Also, I did replace the pcv box under the intake, and the tubes are clear.
Started the car today, the exhaust smells a bit like un-burned gas? With blueish smoke.

Hey all,
new to the site! Thanks for letting me be a part of it. So I am here due to some issues I am having. I will give you some history and it will lead to why I'm here.

I bought this 97 850 turbo sedan from a college kid, engine died and dealer quote scared him. I got the car at a good price ...