95-850- 225K Head gasket leaking

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 24 Apr 2015, 17:41

95-850- 225K...Well the worst news...the leak I am having is clearly the head gasket. Under pressure, you can see the anti-freeze exit the gasket on the driver's side, just under the heater hose nipple. At this milage, it does not make sense to invest the $$$ to fix, as it needs new brake calipers and tie-rods. Any 'fixes' that are available? Can I re-tighten the head? I did this in an old Mercedes of mine...but I don't want to do it if it could snap a bolt or create more issues. Are there any additives?

Post by **cn90** » 24 Apr 2015, 21:05

External leak is very rare and yours is this rare case.

At 225K, it is a toss-up. These engines will go to 300K easily.
If you are short of budget and have a lot of time then yes, replace the HG.
If you have budget and tight on time, then you can sell the car to junk yard for $400 or so. Then buy a newer car such as 2005 2.5T cars for about $5K etc. Stay away from 2001-2003 models with ETM issues.

Anyway, if you decide to tackle it, use only Volvo OEM head gasket. DIY is below:

Volvo 5-cylinder: How to Replace the Head Gasket

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Apr 2015, 11:07

Given the location I would be really sure that it is really the head gasket seam and not a problem that is actually at the nipple or the heater hose.

...Lee

loub · Post by **loub** » 25 Apr 2015, 12:44

On Oct. 3,2014 with my 94 850 N.A. I had the coolant fan seize up and the engine over heated. Coolant was bubbling out of the reservoir and leaking severely from behind the timing belt cover. I did not want to spend much time or money on a vehicle I did not care much about.I bought a product called "K-Seal" at O'Reillys and put it in with more coolant. I had to monitor the coolant level for about a week and a half. The car survived the winter. I had 155,560 miles in Oct. and now have 159,340 miles and have not added coolant in months. I am satisfied the problem was temporarily resolved for about $15.

AlanS · Post by **AlanS** » 01 May 2015, 18:44

Knowing that I will not be installing a new head gasket, I used Bar's Gasket stuff...one bottle, into the cooling system...60 miles later, still no leak. Crossing my fingers and taking it for a long 'highway' drive tomorrow. If it holds up...maybe I can squeeze some more miles out of this thing.