99 xc70-keep it or let it go?

arda · Post by **arda** » 05 Dec 2010, 12:57

Admins, just realized I posted in the wrong subcategory. Please move it to P1 section. Sorry about that-----
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The car is a v99 XC70 at 169000 miles. I am the 3rd owner and had the car since it had 152000 2 years ago. When I bought the car I was aware of some of the problems I encountered over the last two years (o2 sensors, pcv) Apart from a transmission flush, I have done all the work on it myself (lower control arms, O2s, oil, PCV, plugs, ETM, various rattles, prop shaft removal) However about 6-7 months ago it started to loose coolant. No signs of leak anywhere. ( must mention that it did loose coolant for a while back when I bought it but it was due to a leaking hose at the bottom of the expansion tank) I studied the leak for a while and with the signs of exhaust smell in the expansion tank, dark color coolant, white smoke at startup, occasional misfires, and finally last week milky oil (after a Mobil1 oil change, arrgghhh) it seems like a head gasket case.

My girlfriend and I live together and use her car most of the time so it is not such a big deal if we only have one car. However, I do not feel good about just giving up on the car. I have put in so much work and I do love the car for whatever reason; I just like it a lot. I feel like I now know the car pretty intimately. However I am aware of the seriousness of a head gasket leak which I am assuming what the coolant loss is due to. I live in an apt complex bldg now and do not have the garage space I used to have. There are a few friends/family I can ask for their help/accommodation for the car though.

The point is, I feel defeated if I let the car go, and sell it for junk price ( I wont lie about the condition of the car)
So fellow forum members, what would be the best course of action here?

RaymanSean · Post by **RaymanSean** » 05 Dec 2010, 19:30

Take the weekend and replace the head gasket. Not that hard and then you get to keep the car.

Post by **precopster** » 06 Dec 2010, 06:22

Realistically try taking three weekends!! It's not a HUGE deal, but when done properly ie. send head away for machining, valve leakage check, clean or replace PCV system, change any broken mounts you may find.

It's really quite easy to spend 30-35 hours on the job plus waiting time for ordered parts you didn't anticipate.