Timing belt good,!! cracked Radiator& Coolant Leak in rear..

S80T6_P_T_M · Post by **S80T6_P_T_M** » 29 Sep 2012, 08:48

Ok I need help to see if I should proceed replacing parts or will I need a HG job or head job.. I posted on VS.. so if you check the link my whole story is there. (volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/156741-timing-belt-trouble-please-help/page__fromsearch__1)

I have every thing torn down except turbo stuff.. need help determining the following:
Why would the motor turn and sound as if it's the starter spinning only.. I verified the motor is turning over it just sounds scary..

How can I tell if the HG is gone.. I dnt have the compression tester currently.. any other ways? Has a blown HG ever been known to leak right out of the head when water/coolant is added to the expansion tank.. it literally runs out between the motor and trans somewhat near the turbos.. It looks to be a metal pipe tht runs the length of the block..??

How bad is the HG job.. ?? Special tools needed???

Any help is appreciated

mbreed · Post by **mbreed** » 08 Oct 2012, 09:59

That metal pipe comes directly from the water pump. If that's leaking you should start there. I would not attempt a head gasket job yourself. You can run into a lot problems when it comes to the turbos.

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 08 Oct 2012, 10:53

What exactly do you mean when you say you have everything torn down?

This is getting confusing now with three threads on it. I'll go against the grain and say If you have been able to verify cam timing is still lined and correct up you can forgo the compression test for now. Wouldnt do any harm to peek down the plugholes for glycol in the cylinders though! Reason I say this is that it's possible the compression would be absolutely fine and you could still be leaking coolant from the head gasket, so for now skip the compression test.
My approach would be to determine the cause of that leak with 100% certainty before going any further. Figure out a way to get shop air into the cooling system and set regulator at 15PSI. Then look around/listen for where the air is escaping back there. You could also get a cooling system pressure test kit from Harbour Freight (or borrow from autozone) and pressurize it that way, although with that big of a leak you might need an assistant to keep pressure in the system.

You could also remove the oil return pipes from the turbos, then unbolt them from the head. This will give you a bit of room to move them about and look around some more. If the head is coming off then you'll be pulling the turbos off anyway.

Replacing the head is a doable job, I have a pictorial on it somewhere in here but its much more of a pain than the T5.

I will say based on what you've said we are kinda clutching at straws here hopign for a leak. BUT I replaced the HG on my S80 no good reason a while ago because I rushed my troubleshooting. Stress, frozen body parts and spent money I could have done without!

S80T6_P_T_M · Post by **S80T6_P_T_M** » 21 Oct 2012, 11:42

Update: here's where I am I have torn everything off the head except the cam covers. I removed all 6 plugs and they all had water in the cylinders. The very disturbing part is that the head was so hot the plastic plug cover began to melt.. with water in all cylinders is it feasible to continue with a head gasket job? I am positive where the leak is coming from but if the head was that hot it would be a blessing if the head is not ruined. I could continue taking the head off and take it to get checked. But if it's no good it makes me wonder if the block survived. What do you guys think.? I'm well on my way to having the head off but I don't want to waste time with a head that's crap. But there's only 1 way to find out and that's to take it to the machine shop. Any suggestions an advice is greatly appreciated thank you all....

Post by **boosted5cyl** » 21 Oct 2012, 19:36

Sounds like the head is cracked. Pressure test at a shop would confirm although from the sounds of it the cracks might be visible to the naked eye.
You could try and check the block for warpage and cracks..... But its starting to sound like you might be better off swapping the engine

S80T6_P_T_M · Post by **S80T6_P_T_M** » 24 Oct 2012, 07:36

Yeah.. Its sounds very bad.. But Im going to have it checked. I have been shopping for a new engine just in case so I have a few lined up with less milage. So I should know the out come in a few days...