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Old Jan 12th, 2018, 15:47   #1
pierremcalpine
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Last Online: Jan 3rd, 2024 15:43
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Toronto Canada
Default Your Opinion? Head Gasket or Cracked Head?

Hi gang,

I came across an S40 for sale for pennies but there's apparently a head issue. I've cut and pasted the email that I got back from the seller providing more detail on history and work done to date.

I've already got a V40 that I'm quite happy with but Im pretty confident that I can fix this thing pretty cheaply and resell for a modest profit.

What I'm trying to get a better handle on risk-wise is, assuming this car previously overheated (let's say because the rad leaked maybe) what is the likelihood that the head is still good and just needs to be resurfaced vs. head being cracked and needing to be scrapped?

For any of you who have had to get into this kind of work, what kind of $'s did you put into having head assessed by a pro and/or having head reconditioned?

Any info you could provide would be appreciated.

P

Email from seller:

251Km

It is a Volvo. So it has its usual small perks related to this model.

It has never left me stranded, it started -30c without any issues. I needed a bigger car so instead for sinking more money into the car I purchased a station wagon.

It has been in the family since 1 or 2 years old, was purchased from Volvo Villa.

It had regular maintenance at Volvo and then Green and Ross.

I bought the car two years ago from my aunt.

I did:

tune up ( plugs, wires, air filter, cabin filter )
timing bel, tensioner, water pump
serpentine belt
thermostat, housing, seal
coolent reservoir
radiator and related hoses ($600 )
control arm
transmission service with Volvo full synthetic oil
replaced the remote controls
always used full synthetic oil
breaks have been serviced

and probably more just have to look up the details


car has a head gasket issue. I was loosing coolant, but no real dripping under the car. changed all parts related to coolent loss, see above, but as it continued, the last resort is the head gasket. I usually used up a jug of premixed coolent in about 2 weeks. I was quoted by my mechanic about 500 to fix the gasket, mostly labour, as the gasket is not expensive.

usually Volvo issues:

the heater relay, sometimes blows the warm air faster sometimes slower on its own, but heater works. not worth to service because it will happen again according to Volvo, so as long as the heater works, leave it alone.

cd player does not work, radio is fine. replacement unit is 40 bux at the used Volvo place

cigarette lighter does not work, replacement is 10 dollars plus labour

power antenna stem came apart, motor works, reception works, I have the parts

it has been sitting so discs have to be machined and breaks checked but car starts, runs and and drives
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2003 V40 1.9T B4204T4, 197,000miles (sold but alive!), 2004 S60 2.5T, 160,000miles, 2010 V70 3.2, 125,000miles, 2002 V70XC 2.4, 175,000miles

Click here for my x40 and V70 P3 repair guides
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