1998 V70 T5 headgasket trouble

stoutlogic · Post by **stoutlogic** » 06 Jan 2006, 19:01

This is my first experience owning a Volvo. Bougth the car about a month ago with 111,000. Wagon is fully loaded, leather interior in very good shape as well as the exterior black paint. She drives well minus what appears to be the usual rattle from the plastic tailgate and the orange check engine light which holds a P0455, large evap leak code.

Anyway the short of it is I have what seems to be two problems, first the P0455 code and second and more concerning is water /coolant in the oil, not good. Compression test shows two ajacent cylinders are low, about 50psi compared with the other three which are 180psi.

Has anyone had experience / advice on replacing the headgasket on this engine? Will I need any special tools other then the usual? I don't want to get into it and find I need Volvo tool # *&^%&&!. My plan is to remove the head and have it check for flattness/ square, machine if necessary and reinstall. While I'm at it I'll replace the timiing belt / tensioner as well. Anything else I should consider while I go her opened?

Thanks
Bryan

angelglo · Post by **angelglo** » 05 Feb 2006, 04:20

stout. i had the same problem. i actually had low compression on all my cylinders. i had bought head gaskets for my 97 850 glt but i then found a 98 v70 motor with 58k miles on it. i drove it today to work and it runs great. i bought the motor for 1000.00. i figured this was the best way to go since doing the heads was going to cost at least that on a motor with 143000 miles on it. it took me a couple of month of about 1-2 hours a day to get it out and together. i work every day so i didn have alot of time. anyway, not to had to r and r motor if you have mechanical skill. its just time consuming.

angel

stoutlogic · Post by **stoutlogic** » 06 Feb 2006, 11:50

As with most things in life its more a matter of time. But I think today is the day I begin the teardown. The machine shop said they could turn the head around in a day or two. Will be replacing the head gasket, head bolts, timing belt, water pump, tensioner pulley, thermostat, both front and rear camshaft seals. Anything to consider while I have it disassembled?

My biggest fear is the car will continue to nickle and dime me to death even after I make this major repair.

Time will tell