Problem is the white / blue vapours gradually increasing..

stokerjoker · Post by **stokerjoker** » 16 Jun 2012, 15:21

Hello, name is David, first time Volvo owner.
I have just been given a 1999 v70xc AWD from my son in-law. It is a long story, so I will start nearing the end.

The problem is the white / blue vapours gradually increasing as the engine warms up to temperature, (three to five mins after starting), loss of jacket water from expansion tank. There are no external leaks. I have checked compression pressures, between 169-180 psi, condition of spark plugs are a nice clean burn colour, peeked into combustion chambers, piston tops are a good colour in there too,and no sign of oil or jacket water. There is no emulsification of the oil in the sump, oil fill cap or of the jacket water in the expansion tank.

When the engine was started up it ran smoothly, no hunting or missfire. There were no vapours out of the dipstick tube. I have checked and cleaned the oil trap, returns to the engine are clear. As are the lines to and from the oil trap. Ducting to and from the turbocharger have been checked and cleaned (light oil deposit on the compressor side). Turbocharger removed and inspected, heavy deposits on compressor and exhaust blades(both sides cleaned, gently), to the best of knowledge it is the orignal. There are no signs of leakage from the turbocharger seals and no apparent cracks in either casing.

Is it possible on these engines for the head gasket or cracked head to leak without cross contamination?

Any idea's from fresh minds, as my bald spot is getting bigger from scatching my head.

Thanks David.

Post by **misha** » 16 Jun 2012, 15:33

stokerjoker wrote:...Is it possible on these engines for the head gasket or cracked head to leak without cross contamination?

It is possible on every engine....it just depends where the head gasket has blown or damaged.Not usual scenario without cross contamination,but it happens.

stokerjoker · Post by **stokerjoker** » 16 Jun 2012, 16:05

Thank-you for your reply Misha

Engines I have worked on that have a leaking head gasket had signs of cross contamination. Having said that, I have never worked an engine with overhead camshaft. I have noticed in pictures of the head gasket is complex compared to engines I am used too.

Would there not be signs of leakage in the cylinder or colour change on the spark plugs?

Post by **misha** » 16 Jun 2012, 19:44

As far as i heard...those engines have some sort of liquid (or wet) head gaskets(i'm talking about original Volvo head gaskets).That said....when you open it in order to install it...you have ONLY about 20min to complete head instalation.After that,it is unusable.Or... it stands for a valve cover...i'm not sure.

Maybe i'm wrong.Wait for a reply from other members who actually performed head gasket replacement.

Do you have extra pressure in the expansion tank(coolant tank)when engine is running ,like bubbling ...for example?

One thing is for sure....when you have blue smoke comming from the exhaust...engine is burning oil.When you have white smoke from the exhaust (in hot weather) it's burning coolant(you allready mentioned that you have a coolant loss from the expansion tank,but not visible outside leaking...so it's burning coolant).Black smoke from the exhaust means that engine is running very rich.

Are you loosing the oil besides the coolant,or it's just coolant?

If there are no visible coolant leaks and the expansion tank keeps loosing the coolant and you have white smoke from the exhaust....then the engine is burning coolant and that would be a head gasket failure or cracked head/block.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 16 Jun 2012, 20:10

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Hi David,

Please read this most recent Post in its Entirety:
It contains a lot of information on Headgasket repairs in a Bottle besides LINKS to troubleshoot potential Headgaskets and a LINK to a very detailed Headgasket Repair on the 70 Series Volvo
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 9&start=14

Is this a start of buildup into PCV...
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=49218

PCV Repair
As promised pcv system repair on a volvo 5 cylinder

Blessings,
BKM
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stokerjoker · Post by **stokerjoker** » 16 Jun 2012, 21:34

Thank-you again Misha.
I appreciate any information I can get.
No, there is no bubbling in the expansion tank.
I agree that the white vapour is steam, the amount of blue is very little, but is enough that it can be seen.
Oil loss does not seem to that noticeable.

stokerjoker · Post by **stokerjoker** » 16 Jun 2012, 21:48

Hello BKM,

Yes I have seen the PCV by jblackburn, very nicely done. I read the post before I started into checking the oil trap.

As for the leak down and water test, I have not done so as yet. I will have to get a pressure tester and if possible, the water test kit.

Thank-you very much for the info links.

David

Post by **misha** » 17 Jun 2012, 15:56

stokerjoker wrote:...No, there is no bubbling in the expansion tank.
Oil loss does not seem to that noticeable.

No bubbling,no cross contamination....i really can not figure out how it's burning coolant then & where the problem could be.

One thing is for sure...it's head gasket failure or a crack somewhere in the engine.But i can't say where....it needs some further investigation.

I would take the head off and check.When you open it you'll know exactly what is wrong.

Wait for other members to chime in and look what they have to say about it.

Good luck!

petax · Post by **petax** » 23 Jun 2012, 17:32

Just bought an 850 T5R and I have the exact same problem, with the exception that I only get the steam on a cold start (after more than 6 hours parked up). Other than the steam, and slowly losing coolant, one would not know there were a problem. I can't do the work myself, I am okay with a tool kit, but have no drive nor workshop. That means serious dollars if it is as bad as it probably is!

NB. Far from bubbling in the expansion tank.. I have a vacuum when it has cooled down.

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 23 Jun 2012, 18:24

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This maybe helpful petax!

How To Tell If Your Head Gasket Is Blown

Fixing Tough Head Gasket Leaks

Member JWHunterinTN here had Steel Seal work for a year. Yours do not have any oil so it may work and last even longer
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =9&t=47929

Blessings,
BKM
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