Well, the worst has come - head gasket or cracked sleeve

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 23 Aug 2022, 09:13

After noticing coolant that wants to rush out of the tank + upper hose being expanded and firm to the touch, I decided to do a block test - results are exhaust gasses in coolant tank.

The engine is a non-turbo 2.4i 140hp variant auto. What are the chances this is just a head gasket and not a cracked cylinder like the R series?

I also had low-er compression on cylinders 1,2,3 as follows:
cyl 1 - 180psi
cyl 2 - 160 psi
cyl 3 - 160psi(or thereabout, could be 170 I kind of forgot but between 160 and 170)
cyl 4 - the strongest champ at 210 psi - this is healthy
cyl 5 - 205 psi - still healthy.

Post by **jonesg** » 23 Aug 2022, 13:46

I say gasket.
Because its cheaper.

Post by **abscate** » 23 Aug 2022, 18:10

Gasket. These blocks don’t crack.

Post by **BlackBart** » 24 Aug 2022, 11:23

dikidera wrote: ↑23 Aug 2022, 09:13 I also had low-er compression on cylinders 1,2,3 as follows:
cyl 1 - 180psi
cyl 2 - 160 psi
cyl 3 - 160psi(or thereabout, could be 170 I kind of forgot but between 160 and 170)
cyl 4 - the strongest champ at 210 psi - this is healthy
cyl 5 - 205 psi - still healthy.

But not half, and not zero. I agree with these guys above.

Post by **scot850** » 24 Aug 2022, 15:30

Actually they do crack. I was going to look at a 06 XC90 2.5T but was asked by the Volvo dealer in Edmonton to delay as they had found an issue with the car during inspection. Turned out it was a cracked block at the back.

They ended up putting in a higher mileage engine and then wanted me to buy it at the same price! Walked away quickly.................!

Neil.

Post by **kallekula** » 25 Aug 2022, 07:28

Take it apart and have a look. Guessing doesn’t lead anywhere.

Post by **scot850** » 25 Aug 2022, 19:48

Agreed. If you have access to a boroscope you could pull the lugs and take a look at the bores for any signs of damage.

Neil.

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 26 Aug 2022, 05:30

I'll have it at a shop soon, just need to take care of a few matters. But most shops told me the same story - not unlikely to have cracked the block and not the head gasket. And then sourcing a new engine means risking buying it with the same damage.

Post by **BlackBart** » 26 Aug 2022, 07:41

I don’t see the cracked block unless it froze with the wrong coolant mix in it.

What else would cause that?

Post by **jonesg** » 26 Aug 2022, 10:11

BlackBart wrote: ↑26 Aug 2022, 07:41 I don’t see the cracked block unless it froze with the wrong coolant mix in it.

What else would cause that?

theres an inherent weakness between middle cylinders, more common with R variants.