99 v70 xc... bad valve.. recommendations

[Generic1]

I've got a 1999 V70 XC, and recently began experiencing misfire in cylinder 4.

Due to bad fuel in a recent fillup, I thought that might be prob, so I changed filter, treated fuel, to no avail.

Next, changed plugs, coil in 4, and checked injectors... no change in 4

Took to a mechanic friend of mine, he tested the wiring to injectors, coils - both fine, and compression in each cylinder

All tested at 180, except 4, which barely hit 20 if that...

So.... what's next? Is there a reasonable fix? I can't rebuild engine if that's the only solution..

I am not mechanically savvy enough, and cannot justify the expense on this car with etm issues and o2 as well. That would be thousands of $$ on a car that's not worth it. (body and interior good, 160K, no drive shaft)

If I cannot reasonable repair it, would parting it out be sensible or selling at an auction? It will run, in fact do interstate speeds quite well still... Just asking the forum, as I've not been in this position before.

Thanks for any insight!

[Ozark Lee]

Bummer,

You likely have a burned exhaust valve which, by itself, is a cheap part but the labor and the gasket kit starts to add up since the whole head needs to come off to fix it. If you can fix it yourself then you can likely have the whole job done for under $500.00 so long as the head isn't otherwise damaged. If you need to pay someone to do the job you are at decision time.

It all comes down to how much you like the car and how tolerant you are of buying a replacement.

If you buy a used car from an individual and with no warranty then you never really know what you are buying and the whole process of repairs starts all over again while you sort it out.

Best of luck no matter which way you decide to proceed.

...Lee

[zhenya]

Lee pretty much hit all the important points, but I'd think, even having a mechanic do the work, that you might be able to get a valve job done for under $2k - and that should include a new headgasket, timing belt, etc. An entire remanufactured head can be bought from Clearwater for $450, or you can have the valves ground locally for probably not much more.

Now I know this sounds like a whole lot of money, but the alternative isn't much better - you're probably looking at getting $1k, max, for the car as it sits now. It's unlikely anything you buy for under $5k or so is going to be all that much better than what you have now - let alone a car with a known history and a new head! I've burned a valve in a Honda at 150k, it happened to a friend with a new-ish Subaru earlier this year at 120k - in other words - it happens.

[Generic1]

Thanks for all your help.. I have decided to repair the car, it's in the shop now.. Thanks again!

[zhenya]

Great. I hope it works out well for you!