The nearest large city is Santa Rosa with many independent Volvo mechanics, all more than an hour away from home.
" Stay away from your "mechanic" as he obviously have no access to Volvo repair manual or internet to search for youtube videos on how to do a job."
He did estimate, without reading a flat rate anywhere, from his non-volvo experience, a minimum cost for the head gasket R&R is $1200, and a maximum of 1500. That looks about right from my Google-Fu, for an independent in my area. Santa Rosa would probably be a couple hundred dollars higher in the range ~1400-1700 + my time along with family or friends to shlep me back and forth. He contracts with police, fire, school, and ambulance vehicles; I'm having fun evangelizing for Volvo's as I consider their engineering solutions some of the best for living with day in and day out as an owner.
"a dye in the oil"
Now that sounds like an interesting idea. I will make that suggestion for disassembly and diagnosis. Thank you
"That is not how you diagnosis an oil leak." … In the turbo oil lines...
I agree on reflection. It is my understanding that of the three potential problems mentioned, spooling the turbo with an inappropriate amount of oil is the one item that could be damaged. the cam seals and the head gasket, if leaking, would not be harmed.
"By the way, when was the timing belt and water pump last changed? They are due."
All service items have been done according to schedule, with the exception of the PVC kit installation. And that will be done at the same time, or sequenced after the oil leak is repaired. A wise old Italian once quipped that the question is never how fast you want to go but how fast you want to spend
. I do have a couple minor issues that I have not repaired, like the rear hatch plastic flopping around, and the radio and gear shifter lights out, but I'll get to them when budget and time allow.
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