2nd Head Gasket in 12 Months | Rant and Advice Wanted Please Topic is solved

[erikv11]

Timing will be easy on this car! Especially since you are pulling the head. Full speed ahead.

[jeffs850]

I've done more head gaskets than I can count on both hands and never had a problem .. I didn't really see it listed .. But .. with all work being done when doing the head gasket , not one person listed replacing the head bolts ... When a head gasket goes , you have to remember the bolts are being stretched . So if you do all the work / or shop does , put it together you are using already stretched bolts .. so how is it that it can be torqued correctly ??? Regardless weather you have had or never had a problem , go the extra mile and replace the head bolts .. Just my 2 cents ...

[RickHaleParker]

When a head gasket goes , you have to remember the bolts are being stretched .

Head Bolts are stretched when they are installed. Stretching Head Bolts a second time will streach them past their design limit. That is why you should never reuse head bolts. Doing so is one way to end up with snapped Head Bolts.

[erikv11]

Yes good point jeffs850, always replace the head bolts. It should be a given but definitely worth it to state the obvious.

[nickelghandi]

Resurrecting this thread.

The HG leak is officially back. I am blowing exhaust and oil into my cooling system. Just failed the bubble test with the magic color changing fluid.

No overheating and no misfiring yet though it does feel a bit rough if let sit overnight after running the evening before. Thinking some coolant is coming back and making its way into the combustion chamber, but not enough to set a code yet. I will likely do this job myself this time and use only Volvo parts. Looks like $800-$1200 by the time I get a few tools and account for other miscellaneous things.

I have other vehicles so this one is not being driven so as to prevent damage.

[BlackBrick]

I am about to do this job myself. My head gasket is fine, but I need to have the head serviced because my valve stem seals are leaking pretty badly. Also, 174,000 miles, may as well inspect/clean those valves.

I keep reading that the Victor Reinz is the OEM, but I've also heard issues with VR, and some guys have seen a distinct difference between VR and OEM. It's expensive, but I've bought all Volvo OEM parts. (Tasca has the best prices, IMO) $75 for OEM head bolts, $75 for OEM head gasket, $75 for OEM valve stem seals. Plus all the other parts. $300+ I've spent just on parts, which is way more than those $100 VR kits, but I don't want to do this job twice.

That mechanic probably used a cheap head gasket, and that could easily be the issue. Or not torqued the bolts correctly?

Sorry for your $2000 loss. I've lost probably $1000 over the years not buying OEM. Lesson learned.

[RickHaleParker]

I am about to do this job myself. My head gasket is fine, but I need to have the head serviced because my valve stem seals are leaking pretty badly. Also, 174,000 miles, may as well inspect/clean those valves

One can replace valve stem seals without removing the head. One uses compressed air through the spark plug hole to hold up the valves up as one removes the springs and replaces the seals. If compressed air blows up through the valve guides, something else is not right down lower, the head does need removed and checked.

If compressed air comes out the dipstick or the PCV, it is getting past the rings, stuck or worn piston rings.

[BlackBrick]

One can replace valve stem seals without removing the head. One uses compressed air through the spark plug hole to hold up the valves up as one removes the springs and replaces the seals. If compressed air blows up through the valve guides, something else is not right down lower, the head does need removed and checked.

If compressed air comes out the dipstick or the PCV, it is getting past the rings, stuck or worn piston rings.

Thanks, I know that, but not sure if I'm comfortable with doing that, since I could mess up and drop something down in the cylinder. I also figured I may as well pull the head with 174,000 miles and check the valves and get them cleaned/fixed up. This also gives me an excuse to replace my exhaust manifold with an R type as I get ready to go stage 2.