Volvo Owners Club Forum - View Single Post - 240 General:

Phil Russell · Nov 6th, 2019, 13:21

Volvo 240, 2l, 1988. Topping up coolant and found a brown oily emulsion floating on the coolant in the reservoir. My guess is that this indicates a head gasket issue. A little oil foam inside coolant cap. Inside oil filler cap is clean, valve gear inside rocker cover looks clean and oil on dipstick looks fine. Car runs Ok but we were told at MOT that there might be a coolant leak ... I may have detected some on the undercover tray (?) under the cam belt cover.
Is my crude diagnosis right or could there be a simpler explanation?
I am not into doing head gaskets ... any idea of approx cost? I would seek an independent garage near me, not main dealer.
All advice welcome.
Thanks, Phil

Nov 6th, 2019, 13:21	#1
Phil Russell Member Last Online: Mar 6th, 2022 09:29 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cambridge	Oil in coolant; head gasket? Volvo 240, 2l, 1988. Topping up coolant and found a brown oily emulsion floating on the coolant in the reservoir. My guess is that this indicates a head gasket issue. A little oil foam inside coolant cap. Inside oil filler cap is clean, valve gear inside rocker cover looks clean and oil on dipstick looks fine. Car runs Ok but we were told at MOT that there might be a coolant leak ... I may have detected some on the undercover tray (?) under the cam belt cover. Is my crude diagnosis right or could there be a simpler explanation? I am not into doing head gaskets ... any idea of approx cost? I would seek an independent garage near me, not main dealer. All advice welcome. Thanks, Phil