98 S70 T5 Head gasket replacement cost

[mar601]

I searched but couldn't find in previous posts. I need to prepare myself for what to do if I the test for combustion gases in my coolant is positive. The car runs great, no "white smoke" from exhaust but I have been losing coolant over the past several months with no apparent hose leak (expansion tank goes low after 300 miles or so).

Anyway, I have a local shop here in Indianapolis that does excellent work but want to ask...
(1) what can expect to pay to do a complete head gasket replacement (typically?)
(2) compared to other cars, is it an easier, average or more difficult job on the S70?

thanks -- wish me luck
23 years I've owned it. Only 168K (I'm a homebody).

[Sveedy]

Prices vary across the country, but I'd guess a shop would be in the $1800 range. A few other bits and pieces have to be purchased as well to do the job, plus there is the potential for " job creep ", so keep that in mind. Guessing again, but you could probably do it yourself for around $300 in parts etc. Not a hard job on these cars if you're mechanically inclined and have a weekend.

[mar601]

Ok Thanks. That's very much within reason for me. Nope, not a diy anymore. Good thing is the car runs great but no more driving it if I get a positive combustion test. I'm in Indy -- have a great shop I use but may be open to quotes. ?

[scot850]

The most important is finding a shop you trust and is not afraid of Volvo's. They are not any more difficult to work on but many general independent shops suddenly become stupid when working on them.

Mission creep is always the issue. If the water pump and timing belt should get done while in there as well as the PCV? Most of the parts are accessible or mostly disconnected in the case of the PCV, water drained for the water pump etc.

Hopefully it is only the thermostat and not the head gasket. I had issues when I replaced the radiator on my car as it took multiple runs to get the air locks out of the system. Filling with the front wheels off the ground I have found helps.

Good Luck!

Neil.

[mar601]

Thanks Neil. I saw on an invoice the thermostat was replaced just 2 years ago but I'll still replace it and test the old one. I did the timing belt, water pump and PCV as well pretty recently. I don't know much about air locks. All I know is that when the hose blew off (3 or 4 times to date), I would put it back on (while hot) and refill the 50/50 universal coolant that I carry in the car. As I said before, each time I could see the coolant bubbling and boiling. The hose only blew off after longer trips, 20 - 30 minutes.

I wanted also know....
My heater works fine but can the core still be bad?
THANKS.

[Sveedy]

Heater would still work, even with a small leak. Check under the drivers side carpet for moisture.
You could just add a second hose clamp along side the existing one, and that would most likely stop it from coming off.
Only problem is that the pressure might then blow something else out that isn't as accessible as that top hose.

[erikv11]

Blowing a hose off doesn't really fit with any other explanation - it's the head gasket, I'd give it a 99.9% probability. That combustion gas testing will make the call however, not some goon on the internet!

Totally agree it's in the $2k range at a shop. Parts cost for the DIY route is more like $650; that's assuming you (1) also do the complete timing belt service since all timing parts are removed along the way, (2) pay a machine shop to resurface the head and (3) don't skimp on the quality of the seals and other necessary parts.

[abscate]

If you do it twice you sure are faster on the second pass. And the parts are FreeCP!

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[Twarr12000]

Just a personal opinion - I wouldn’t do a head gasket repair without getting the cylinder head surfaced. Make sure the shop knows to NOT mess with the cam side. When I take one in I always mention it.