1999 XC70 Won't Start - Might Turnover?

lebaowth · Post by **lebaowth** » 23 Sep 2013, 12:40

My wife drove our car with a slow coolant leak and it appears the leak increased dramatically in the course of the 35 mile highway drive. As she was exiting the highway, it seems to have lost power and coasted to a stop.

It had to be towed back to my house and was certainly low on coolant. The hood carpet was saturated and the OBD II had thrown two codes, P0300 and P0302 (which are both misfire codes, one general, one more specific).

I have to assume my ignition coils are causing this issue? Could it be they got wet from hot coolant steaming and saturating the hood carpet and then dripped down into the coils? Thats my best guess now.

I'm also concerned about the low coolant. The battery is fully charged and the starter makes an odd, high pitched noise. When I look at the timing belt before I turn the key and after, it is obvious the cams are moving and the belt is moving, which makes me think the engine is turning over.

But it is a much higher sound than normal. Is that what it would sound like if the engine was turning but none of the spark plugs were firing? What could be happening here? Any guesses?

Thanks

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 23 Sep 2013, 13:42

If the engine sounds like it is turning over faster than normal do a compression check.

...Lee

Post by **abscate** » 24 Sep 2013, 12:13

Ugh. The symptoms describe an overheated, blown head/gasket engine almost too perfectly.

Compression test next.

lebaowth · Post by **lebaowth** » 24 Sep 2013, 17:18

Thanks for both of your thoughts - head gasket scares me a bit - we'd just replaced the water pump and timing belt

Why would the engine turning over too quickly lead one to a head gasket? I'm sure I don't fully understand. If it was bad enough to stop the car running while exiting the highway, do you imagine it has done more damage than just the gasket?

Post by **abscate** » 24 Sep 2013, 19:11

Its the other way around.

Overheat warps the head, which then leaks, no/low compression, fast cranking.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 24 Sep 2013, 19:16

lebaowth wrote: we'd just replaced the water pump and timing belt

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Check the timing.

Blessings,

BKM

**

Post by **rspi** » 24 Sep 2013, 19:37

The first thing I would check is the oil level. If the oil level is good, check compression. No compression will allow the motor to spin fast, like no plugs are in it. Does the "LOW OIL PRESSURE" light come on when you turn the key before you start it?

You can also drain the oil to see if coolant is in it. If not, put it back in the motor.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 24 Sep 2013, 19:41

rspi wrote:No compression will allow the motor to spin fast, like no plugs are in it.

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If the timing is off should it not cause the motor to spin fast as the valves are not timed to create compression?

Blessings,

BKM

**

lebaowth · Post by **lebaowth** » 24 Sep 2013, 19:51

I see... those are all really helpful points

I think maybe I'll see if I can get AAA to tow it to a local shop and find out what I'm up against... still on the fence about repair or sell for parts and buy something else.

180k in really great shape otherwise - new timing belt, water pump, new pvc system, newer michelins... what is that worth with a blown head gasket and coolant leak?

If it is only the head gasket, I've read I'm in for $600-800... does that sound right?

Post by **abscate** » 25 Sep 2013, 08:04

I think 1100 is probably an upper end estimate - but I bet your labour rate in OH is better than ours

Thats 2-3 car payments, so for a sound body and other mechanicals, worth fixing IMHO