97 v40 head gasket advice please
Discussion
Hi all, i suspect the head gasket has blown and have a few questions that hopefully you will be able to help with.
fisrt of all, the reasons i think it blown are:
1, a horrible mayonase type substance on my oil dipstick,
2, every now and then when warm, if you stop the motor for a couple of minutes then restart it, it takes a few attempts to fire up.
now if it is the case, although she drives fine and generally this is not a problem as i have suspected it for a while now, if i change the gasket do i need to have the head skimmed? i have never had any head gasket go before so this is all new to me. if i do, how much could i be looking at for skimming? and does anyone recommend anyone in the ipswich/suffolk area for the work to be done. I dont really wanna spend loads as the car really aint worth a great deal nowadays due to general second hand prices falling like a stone.
any advice really apriciated.
rick.
fisrt of all, the reasons i think it blown are:
1, a horrible mayonase type substance on my oil dipstick,
2, every now and then when warm, if you stop the motor for a couple of minutes then restart it, it takes a few attempts to fire up.
now if it is the case, although she drives fine and generally this is not a problem as i have suspected it for a while now, if i change the gasket do i need to have the head skimmed? i have never had any head gasket go before so this is all new to me. if i do, how much could i be looking at for skimming? and does anyone recommend anyone in the ipswich/suffolk area for the work to be done. I dont really wanna spend loads as the car really aint worth a great deal nowadays due to general second hand prices falling like a stone.
any advice really apriciated.
rick.
[quote=Rick#55]Hi all, i suspect the head gasket has blown and have a few questions that hopefully you will be able to help with.
fisrt of all, the reasons i think it blown are:
1, a horrible mayonase type substance on my oil dipstick,
2, every now and then when warm, if you stop the motor for a couple of minutes then restart it, it takes a few attempts to fire up.
now if it is the case, although she drives fine and generally this is not a problem as i have suspected it for a while now, if i change the gasket do i need to have the head skimmed? i have never had any head gasket go before so this is all new to me. if i do, how much could i be looking at for skimming? and does anyone recommend anyone in the ipswich/suffolk area for the work to be done. I dont really wanna spend loads as the car really aint worth a great deal nowadays due to general second hand prices falling like a stone.
any advice really apriciated.
rick.
[/quote]
The mayo could just be condensation and the starting issue could be fuel related? - A few simple checks for you to do:
First and foremost, is the car using any water?
Does the heater work?
Is there any temperature movement in the temp gauge - particuarly when the engine is on load?
First, check the coolant expansion tank (Coolant Resevoir bottle) - is it sooty or does the coolant look black? if so then exhaust gas is getting into the cooling system, a pretty sure sign of the head gasket starting to fail.
The starting issue would normally indicate a headgasket if it was cold, this is because after the car has been sat up and cooled down the pressure in the cooling system will relieve itself through the gasket leak into the cylinder taking water with it this will cause the car to run rough for a few seconds whilst the water is burned off from affected cylinder.
My 850 which has the same basic engine design but with an extra cylinder (I bought it with a shagged HG caused by a faulty water pump, and fixed it) started and drove fine when I picked it up - it just used a huge amount of water and would start to overheat every few miles .
Second, do a pressure test - when the car is cool, open the expansion tank cap,and then replace it. Now start the car and give it lots of revs and switch it straight off - go imediately back to the expansion tank and very slowly relase the cap, whilst doing this, get your ear as close as possible and listen for a hiss - if there is pressure in cooling system, this again is a pretty sure sign of it failing.
If this is the case, I wouldn't worry too much about it until the car's water use becomes excessive or the heater stops working. When/If you have the work carried out, I would do/change the following as a matter of course:
Water Pump,
Cambelt and tensioners (I would go for either genuine or Gates)
Skim the head and have it pressure checked for cracks and warping (not an issue usually unless it has been overheated badly)
Re-seat the valves
Fit a "Payen" Headgasket -(the best there is - buy the set and replace all the gaskets)
Where are you based? I can put you in touch with a Volvo specialist who will take a look for you.
Hope this all helps - if it is the HG it doesn't sound too bad for now and will probably last a good few months before getting worse
fisrt of all, the reasons i think it blown are:
1, a horrible mayonase type substance on my oil dipstick,
2, every now and then when warm, if you stop the motor for a couple of minutes then restart it, it takes a few attempts to fire up.
now if it is the case, although she drives fine and generally this is not a problem as i have suspected it for a while now, if i change the gasket do i need to have the head skimmed? i have never had any head gasket go before so this is all new to me. if i do, how much could i be looking at for skimming? and does anyone recommend anyone in the ipswich/suffolk area for the work to be done. I dont really wanna spend loads as the car really aint worth a great deal nowadays due to general second hand prices falling like a stone.
any advice really apriciated.
rick.
[/quote]
The mayo could just be condensation and the starting issue could be fuel related? - A few simple checks for you to do:
First and foremost, is the car using any water?
Does the heater work?
Is there any temperature movement in the temp gauge - particuarly when the engine is on load?
First, check the coolant expansion tank (Coolant Resevoir bottle) - is it sooty or does the coolant look black? if so then exhaust gas is getting into the cooling system, a pretty sure sign of the head gasket starting to fail.
The starting issue would normally indicate a headgasket if it was cold, this is because after the car has been sat up and cooled down the pressure in the cooling system will relieve itself through the gasket leak into the cylinder taking water with it this will cause the car to run rough for a few seconds whilst the water is burned off from affected cylinder.
My 850 which has the same basic engine design but with an extra cylinder (I bought it with a shagged HG caused by a faulty water pump, and fixed it) started and drove fine when I picked it up - it just used a huge amount of water and would start to overheat every few miles .
Second, do a pressure test - when the car is cool, open the expansion tank cap,and then replace it. Now start the car and give it lots of revs and switch it straight off - go imediately back to the expansion tank and very slowly relase the cap, whilst doing this, get your ear as close as possible and listen for a hiss - if there is pressure in cooling system, this again is a pretty sure sign of it failing.
If this is the case, I wouldn't worry too much about it until the car's water use becomes excessive or the heater stops working. When/If you have the work carried out, I would do/change the following as a matter of course:
Water Pump,
Cambelt and tensioners (I would go for either genuine or Gates)
Skim the head and have it pressure checked for cracks and warping (not an issue usually unless it has been overheated badly)
Re-seat the valves
Fit a "Payen" Headgasket -(the best there is - buy the set and replace all the gaskets)
Where are you based? I can put you in touch with a Volvo specialist who will take a look for you.
Hope this all helps - if it is the HG it doesn't sound too bad for now and will probably last a good few months before getting worse
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