Head gasket

A.Baker · Post by **A.Baker** » 24 Jan 2010, 09:53

I have an opertunity to pick up a 99 S70awd cheep. It needs a head gasket so they say. Are there any suprises i should look for?

Post by **charlyW** » 24 Jan 2010, 11:55

With any Alloy engine there is a chance that the head has warped get this checked out

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 24 Jan 2010, 12:49

Just a head gasket sounds cheap, but there is a lot of labor involved to remove the head and put it back on correctly. The exhaust cam is VVT which takes extra care.

The real problem is the cause of the gasket failure, usually a valve starting to go which gets super hot and then cooks the gasket.

Even if you DIY the head removal/installation, the cost of milling the head and replacing a few valve seats (remember, there are 20 valves), will cost an extra few hundred dollars.

Post by **jblackburn** » 24 Jan 2010, 13:01

Also, with any AWD Volvo, there are the typical AWD system things to look out for.

1) does the car actually still HAVE a rear driveshaft. Many have been removed as the system starts to fail.
2) Transmission fluid level & condition
3) Strange tire wear patterns
4) Strange growling while driving/noises when turned sharp.

Since I don't know how far gone the car is, there's no telling if you can test those noises through an actual test drive.