1998 Volvo V70 - Head Gasket

volvosurfin · Post by **volvosurfin** » 18 Sep 2010, 22:59

I took care of the reservoir leak, pressure tested and water started spilling out the back of the engine compartment. Looks like around turbo, but can't see exactly where. Hopefully I did not cause any issues.

Here is the procedure I used per local advice to pressure test.....

my only available tester was without an adapter for reservoir cap. I was advised, hopefully not ill advised, to use a hose clamp to adapt pressure tester onto upper radiator intake hose and interrupt the circuit by plugging the output port that same hose had been clamped to, thus creating a closed circuit to pressure test. I slowly pressurized, hearing some gurgling then the water began flowing out behind the engine. This stopped as I released the pressure.

Any ideas?

ed7 · Post by **ed7** » 18 Sep 2010, 23:08

There are coolant hoses back there to heater core and to turbo if equipped and oil cooler if the cooler is not in right side of the radiator. Check hoses and clamps
ED7

gilhuly · Post by **gilhuly** » 19 Sep 2010, 08:24

JRL wrote:
Emmette wrote:Just went through the process of getting the head gasket replaced on my 850 Tutbo. $1967.63..ouch...The good news is that if they do the job right and replace the timing belt,plugs.wires,ect then you basicly have a rebuilt enging when its all said and done.

How do you figure?
The entire BOTTOM end has still xxx amount of miles on it, the pistons, the rings, rod bearings, etc.

Yes, that's true, but as you know these bottom ends are extremely durable and it is typical to see the factory hone marks on cylinder walls with 200k miles. I think there are valid unknowns for someone with one of these cars to consider putting the better part of $2k into it, but the bottom end isn't one of them, imo.

volvosurfin · Post by **volvosurfin** » 19 Sep 2010, 12:28

What do you guys think would be the best way to access that area? Take out air intake and try from the top? Its hard for me to even see the area from underneath.

ed7 · Post by **ed7** » 19 Sep 2010, 17:36

The best access is from below with an ocasional reach down from the top.
If your oil cooler is not in the radiator you will see it bolted to the right rear of the engine. It has two molded coolant hoses attached to it. If it's the turbo, the better access is over the engine. Bright lights and a good mirror will help.
Ups and downs kill my knees.
ED7

volvosurfin · Post by **volvosurfin** » 02 Oct 2010, 19:38

Ok, found the leak, while pressure testing saw fluid spraying out hole in coolant line to turbo. Replaced the line....that was astoundingly time consuming but hey, got it done. Notable was all the gunk that collected in that line. Now convinced that it is infact trans fluid in my coolant, not because of leak but because of smell/appearance of coolant. Lets hope I'm right. So I'm almost done replacing the radiator and considering methods to flush transmission fluid. Is it safe to use the method detailed on this site, 2 quart at a time then drain x3-4 method after having a presumed leak? Trans fluid is darker red, but no apparent water/coolant I can see. Should I be doing something more thorough?

volvosurfin

volvosurfin · Post by **volvosurfin** » 09 Oct 2010, 15:33

Well, went ahead and completed the water pump, timing belt, drive belt and a busted coolant hose to the turbo and started her up. Ran better than ever but started getting oil in the coolant again. Stopped driving right away and I'm ordering a head gasket kit and turbo refurb kit. I don't know why but I'm still convinced its not the head gasket. Could it be the turbo?

I'm going to go ahead and do both repairs, any words of wisdom on how best to proceed?

volvosurfin

1998 Volvo V70 - Head Gasket

Re: 1998 Volvo V70 - Head Gasket