coolant in #3 cylinder

Nikodog · Post by **Nikodog** » 20 Jun 2025, 11:50

2005 2.5t - 220k miles. Started getting misfire at startup codes on cylinders 1 and 3. Just pulled the plugs and found coolant in #3 but #1 looks fine. Are head gaskets a common thing on these cars or it is more likely a cracked head?
Thanks

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 20 Jun 2025, 12:22

I think the question that you are trying to ask is " I am not sure what to do with this car. Can ot be as easy as Prius headgasket and good for another 100k or I am in deeper waters?".
Answer to your question: it is not common to see such issue with T5 engines. Somewhere something went wrong-overheating, not changing coolant...For any of such instances-"autopsy" is the only way to know for sure. You can gamble and replace only headgasket, but without checking geometry of head and block you might possibly waste time and money. If willing to repair this car-do it right the first time or just find other car and use this as parts donor.

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 21 Jun 2025, 00:43

Both are equally as likely, I am speaking from experience. My case was head gasket, but quite a few people had their stock 210hp 2.5t crack liners.

Check BLOCK warpage and for cracks in liner.

Post by **abscate** » 22 Jun 2025, 04:28

Are the p2 engines more prone to cracked liners? Definitely pull head, I would say head gasket is much more likely

Post by **scot850** » 22 Jun 2025, 04:44

P2 engines for some reason seem to be more prone to block cracks than older engines. Both can get head gasket failures with age and overheating. Stuck or sticking thermostats can contribute to that.

The guys have mentioned the liner issues. It happens but is not what I'd consider common.

I was looking at buying a 06 XC90 from a Volvo dealer maybe 8 years ago. It had only about 80k miles on it. They contacted me to apologize that when they put it though there inspection the block was cracked. They fitted a used engine with higher miles and wanted the same price for the car. I declined.

Neil.

Nikodog · Post by **Nikodog** » 23 Jun 2025, 14:39

Thanks for all the feedback. I think it will be going to the scrapper. It's just not worth putting more money into it. It seems like there's more than a fair chance it will more than just a head gasket. Even if it was just ahead gasket, with 220k miles I would want to rebuild the head if I have it removed. We've only had it a year and there's increasing evidence it was not well maintained at all before we bought it. I had to replace the PCV system and drop the pan to the oil return. Had to replace the fuel pump because there was so much garbage in the tank and several other jobs. I like the xc90 and like working on it, but don't think this is the one to keep. Maybe I'll try a bottle of block sealer to get a few more months out of it while I find something else.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Jun 2025, 17:37

If it drives you can probably get more than scrap value as a project car.

Vova585 · Post by **Vova585** » 24 Jun 2025, 20:17

You probably will be offered $500 for the car by scrap yard. I would say just put it for the same value for sale and hopefully in 1-2 weeks someone will be willing to buy it and restore. You are in PNW and not in NY(truth be told my 01v70 is still holding greater than newer cars in salt brine) so it probably looks pristine underneath if you were doing basic maintenance