1993 940 New head gasket failure

Post by **98T5** » 14 Mar 2014, 22:29

OK, I did everything by the book except take the cylinder in to the shop and have it checked for flatness. but being that I didn't have the time or money to do that. I checked it myself and it was level in various areas so I proceeded to reinstall the head gasket. after I got the whole thing put back together and fill it up with water/antifreeze, I notice a small trickle of coolant by the knock sensor of the head. that was the only place it was a tiny leak so I figured after the car warmed up that leak would seal itself, well it didn't, instead it got worse until I could see oil beginning to come from the same spot as the water, that was strange, so I killed the engine and wipe the area down and tried it again t make sure it was what I thought it was...and sure it enough it was the "chocolate milk" mixture of oil and coolant coming from that spot. So I'm already re-ordering another head gasket and planning to redo the job later in the month...but my question is this....did my head gasket fail that fast? is that even possible?

fyi - I used a very small bead of gasket sealer on the head gasket but only to keep it in position when I re-installed the head. I was told by another volvo mechanic that would be ok, so I did it. was that ok? did he give me bad advice?

Post by **98T5** » 14 Mar 2014, 22:33

Also, when I cranked the car it purrrd like a kitten so I know it's not a crack in the block.

Ethan Rode · Post by **Ethan Rode** » 15 Mar 2014, 01:35

Of course it failed, your cylinder head is warped. A new gasket won't change that. By not having the head checked and milled, you missed the most important step "in the book" while doubling your cost and downtime.

Post by **98T5** » 15 Mar 2014, 08:41

*whew! thanks!!!

At least I know now that it was what I "didn't do" as the cause. I zapped all the bolts off prettty quick last night and just need to take out the head bolts and it's out so I can drop it off first thing Monday morning.

NOW, my next question. when I take the head to the machine shop, will I have to take the cam and all the valves out before they do what they need to do, or can all that stuff stay intact?. I really don't wanna have to take down the entire head.

Any advice is appreciated.

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 15 Mar 2014, 09:04

No need to strip the head. They're just going to shave some off the bottom of the head. In a pinch here's an interesting link:

Post by **98T5** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:21

GOOD NEWS!!!!

I don't have a warped cylinder head at all!!! ...I knew my trusty DIY attention to detail didn't fail me when I measured it well over 50 times and it was level everywhere...THE PART DID...upon closer inspection after I pulled the head back off, I see that the spot where the water was coming from was not covered fully by the gasket at all(factory flaw?)...I had asked about the head design on a different thread and the reply was that my head was "special" and could be used in various model engines, that's why I had certain holes plugged up with factory plug metal..but right there at the spot where the water was leaking, the gasket takes a slight turn in design and leaves a "half circle" of coverage over that water hole...the part number for the gasket from ipdusa.com is #101390 http://www.ipdusa.com/products/7477/101 ... t-b23-b230. I ordered another one this morning before I pulled the head and I know I'm NOT gonna use it now. so what is the deal here? is there some other kind of gasket that fits this model.

I will post pics of where it sits right now when my wife gets back with the camera. the head gasket is not ripped in any way either.

Any advice is appreciated.

Post by **98T5** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:44

HOLD THE PHONE!!! I just noticed the fatal boo boo I made...the damn gasket was installed backwards....

..

.now I know what those tabs on one side ARE for now...

DOH!

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:46

Did the head come off the block you're using? Did you try to order a head gasket that matches the head?

lummert · Post by **lummert** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:47

98T5 wrote:HOLD THE PHONE!!! I just noticed the fatal boo boo I made...the damn gasket was installed backwards.... ..

.now I know what those tabs on one side ARE for now...

DOH!

Beginners luck?

Post by **98T5** » 15 Mar 2014, 13:48

AND I'm still not going to take it to the machine shop. I'm going to trust my gut that this head is flat because other than that one spot there were no leaks period.

So now I wait on new gaskets in the mail while I change the oil...

...live and learn..