Why does it seem like there are so many blown HG's with S60?

[volvooh]

I am helping my son with a car purchase. He is focusing on the S60- post 2003 MY. It seems that a lot of these listed for sale have blown head gaskets. Is this an issue for this car? If so, I'm not sure its the best car option for him.

[abscate]

Maybe the sportier model gets driven by those with less situational awareness ?

[June]

I just ate a head gasket job on my daughter's 2007 C70 2.5T. I was told by the dealer that they see lots of head gasket failures on the 2.5. Apparently some octopus hose wipes them out... Octopus hose? Sounds like a Ford thing to me . June

[Rattnalle]

Not a thing over here I thinn. Sure it's happened but it's not common to read about it.

[abscate]

Every car my Dad bought for his kids had a blown engine. If you wanted wheels, you learned to build an engine.

I miss you Pops, but not when I pick up a wrench

[June]

Really I think a non turbo S60 is a excellent option for a first car. Teen + turbo = wreck. At least with the Volvo us parents have some peace of mind. Yes my daughter has wrecked slightly the C70 and went from terrified to drive to a lead foot like me . It's that turbo power that's so addictive!!!!

As with my daughter, the hoze blew and the ding-a-ling drove it home that way. $7000 later it has been completely gone through and every rubber coolant line changed as well as water pump, timing belt, and PCV system for good measure.

So this octopus hose is a known failure point with age according to the dealer and one good run without coolant and boom the head gasket is toast... I was not saying the 2.5T was a bad engine, it's these cars are old and people don't tend to do preventative maintenance and then it's too late! June

[oragex]

It is rare a HG on a 2.3, 2.4 or 2.5 after 2001. But chances to get a neglected car are always there, or worse, using tap water mixed with coolant, causes limestone deposits and improper top end cooling. The non turbo also has the issue with the intake air thermostat (not same as the coolant thermostat), unfortunately it causes the engine to get hot air at the intake with easy to understand consequences. Only the non turbo had this design with a cold/hot intake air valve (also on the european 2.4 non turbo S80). My top end was getting really hot until I fixed that part, still the hg stayed in one piece - really impressive, a Honda (I like the old Hondas) would have thrown a couple of hg and top ends by now

These engines also need a timely pcv service

[RickHaleParker]

You see a lot of blown head gaskets because people try to use their cars like an appliance. They expect it to work maintenance free.

You should be able to pick up one with a blown head gasket for a song. If they are looking for you to bail them out, look elsewhere.

Here is a prime example of somebody wanting a bailout.

2006 Volvo S40, 200,000 miles, $1200.

[abscate]

That’s not for sale, that’s my daily driver at work...

[June]

That’s not for sale, that’s my daily driver at work...

I think you're boss is trying to tell you something ... June