). Looking at picking up another '98 XC. Guy says the engine is "blown", according to his mechanic (who apparently knows a lot about Volvos). Car starts and runs, then starts smoking a lot after a little driving, through the cabin even. (it's not the heater core)The mechanic told him it is a "lower gasket" that would require pulling the engine to replace. I am having a hard time believing that..it's been over a year since I last worked on one of these, but memory tells me there aren't any "lower gaskets that require engine removal". Seals maybe - rear main - but no gaskets. It was hard to figure out what was wrong, but my best guess is that something is leaking onto the exhaust and burning off.
Now the question - is the oil pan gasket right above the exhaust? I can't remember. A better guess would probably be a seal (or two [or three]) leaking oil onto the turbo - cam, oil cap, or even a turbo seal of some sort (don't remember much of what's back there). Clogged up PCV. Car probably just needs a little attention at 175k miles.
Anyway - opinions?
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