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Wondering what to do? 1998 S70 blown head gasket Topic is solved

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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wheelsup
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Re: Wondering what to do? 1998 S70 blown head gasket

Post by wheelsup »

Are blown hg's starting to become a thing as these cars age? Just curious.
1995 850 GLT Wagon w/ 200,000 miles

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Clemens
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Post by Clemens »

Maybe, but I don't think so. It is probably a mileage/age thing, but alot of people still have their original gaskets.
Summer: 1996 855 R
Winter: 1994 855 T5M
Donor: 1995 854 10V

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

I still think there is a relationship between running P80's on regular gas, and in particular turbos where the engine bay is hotter. The lower octane makes the cylinders hotter and I believe the cause a greater chance of valve failure or head gasket.

Same with transmissions, particularly the 5 speed auto. Not changing the oil in them (a Volvo mistake but now recommended every 50,000 miles but still 'optional' which is stupid!) and surprisingly after 10-20 years they fail. I look on 5 speed auto trans like the move from mid-efficiency furnaces that run for many years with little servicing, and high efficiency that need an annual service to keep running. It is all about maintenance.

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

rnelson1044
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Post by rnelson1044 »

Update on "wondering what to do; blown head gasket."
Job all done; have fuel to spark plugs; have spark at plugs; cam sprocket timing marks line up correctly on timing belt cover, no fault codes, BUT no start. What have I missed?

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Sveedy
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Post by Sveedy »

Is it cranking over, or just plain dead... ?
Try to learn life's bad lessons vicariously through others.


1996 850 Turbo GLH ( Goes Like Hell )
1999 V70 GLT

rnelson1044
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Post by rnelson1044 »

Sveedy, I have located and corrected the problem, thanks to Robert DIY on YouTube. I had re-assembled the cam sensor at the rear of the exhaust cam incorrectly. As many times as I have removed and replaced that thing over the years when having to replace a leaking cam seal, I had never reinstalled it incorrectly....until now! Anyway, once corrected, engine fired right up and all looks good.
Thanks for the comments.

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

That is great news!!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

rnelson1044
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Post by rnelson1044 »

Update: head gasket replaced; head renewed; engine runs just great. The job was a pain in the b*** to complete but I'm glad I did it.

scot850
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Post by scot850 »

Thanks for the update and the great news! Well done!

Neil.
2006 V70 2.5T AWD Polestar tune
2000 V70 R - still being an endless PITA
2006 XC70 - Our son now has this and still parked in our garage
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited
2015 Kia Sportage EX-L - Sold
1993 850 GLT -Sold
1998 V70 XC - Sold
1997 Volvo 850 SE NA - Went to niece in California - Sold
2000 V70 SE NA - Sold

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Oly850
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Post by Oly850 »

I’d definitely fix it. Get a manual & the special tool (you can borrow @ auto parts store) to take off the head clamshell and you’re in business. It’s not an easy job, but if you have a dry garage you can fix it, maybe with some assistance.
Looking for a V90 to be my next Volvo, at the very least a T5.

2017 XC90 Inscription - My best Volvo by far, but Ex-wife departed & I had to sell. 😕
2001 S80 T6 - rebuilt trans, head gasket, fixed & sold
1997 V70 - kid car, sold
1996 850 GLT - found under bridge, 2 year refurb project, commuter car, kid car, T-Boned - SIPS saved passenger. Totaled.
1997 VW GTI VR6 - exceedingly fast.
1971 VW Type II/231 - it was pointed out by management that the children would be killed in it.

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