1999 XC70 Engine Seized? How do I tell?

lebaowth · Post by **lebaowth** » 21 Sep 2013, 19:14

Today, someone borrowed my car while we were troubleshooting a relatively slow coolant leak.

Apparently, today, it got much worse. I was at work all day, so I'm inheriting this situation without knowing nearly enough about it. Getting off the highway, the car just stopped and had to be towed back to our house.

There is a very light film of oil sitting on the very top edge of the engine closest to the firewall. The oil looks really good, which surprises me. It is full synthetic 10-40. There is a white crusty residue around the thermostat housing and when I went to add water to the reservoir, it took 3 liters.

Battery is good and when I turn the key, the starter tries but it doesn't sound like it would when the engine turns over. It sounds almost like a higher pitched whine. It isn't easy to describe, but made me wonder if it overheated.

My wife said the temp gauge never went above normal but I wondered how the sensor would react if there was no coolant going through the system? If there is no coolant from which to pull a temp, what would the gauge do?

Any sure fire way to find out? And what is cheaper, a new engine or another used car? Any other options?

Thanks

Post by **erikv11** » 21 Sep 2013, 19:37

Get the front end up in the air and see if you can turn the crank by hand with a 30 mm socket.

There are a range of opinions on new car vs new engine, if it comes to that. If the rest of the car is good, then new engine is usually a much cheaper way to go. I've never done on on an AWD though.

lebaowth · Post by **lebaowth** » 21 Sep 2013, 21:06

Wow... 30MM?

Is there a good source for engines? I'm assuming they'd all be rebuilt at this point? What is a ballpark of labor hours for replacing an entire engine?

Post by **erikv11** » 22 Sep 2013, 10:00

Yep, 30 mm, it is very simple read the first steps of a timing belt DIY e.g. https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=8803.

If you are thinking pay a shop to swap the engine that is a whole different ball game, I don't think it will be worth it. Probably 15 hours book labor? A shop will charge like 3k if they are sourcing the engine, you would just have to call around.

Most engines will not be rebuilt, the standard route is to find one that hasn't been sitting around for very long. I have seen engine suppliers recommended on here, search or maybe someone will chime in, but I would look for a recently wrecked car with 150k or less and evidence that the owner changed the oil. These white block engines run a VERY long time if maintained.

Post by **mikealder** » 22 Sep 2013, 12:09

I guess I was lucky with mine earlier this year (prices are in UK £) engine with 62K on the clock for £300 and the garage took the old lump out and fitted the new one for £200, I was only without the car for two days, looks like prices are far cheaper in the UK - Mike