Gutted

[concrete]

Sadly my 2004 XC70 looks like it’s got to go. It would appear it’s got a head gasket issue and I just can’t warrant spending the money on it. Of course, this is most annoying having spent £850.00 in December on service, mot, cambelt and brakes. Plus the £400.00 of Michelins I put on it last month.

Reason for posting is I was wondering if there are specialist Volvo breakers (I’m north Essex) where I might be able to sell it who might give me a reasonable price. I’m not one for just trading in cars, or selling it so some poor sod ends up with the problem. It’s a D5 lux model, so lots of goodies worth taking off it.

I’ve had it 12 years and wanted it to last another three and the plan was to move to an XC 60. Sadly finances at the minute means something cheaper until then, but I’ll defintely be going back to a Volvo, this one was the best car I’ve ever owned.

Thanks for reading.

[Whyman]

Probably cheaper to get it fixed than buy another decent car that may bring its own problems.

Having spent £1,250 in the last few months on it why not get it fixed an run it for the next few years as planned?

[sv70]

That really is a kick in the balls,but i think you are too optimistic if you think a specialist Volvo breaker will pay anything near what you think you you deserve to get ,they will only pay carrots like most breakers,with you spending that money getting the major jobs done,as said wouldn't it be more cost effective just to shop about and get the head problem fixed,even if your head was knackered,i would at least price it up,unless you already have,and you could have a problem with a replacement car which could put you back to square 1.If you do decide to get rid i would post pictures on here or the bay and sell it with the problem for a fair price,i'm sure there are people reading this forum who can do mechanical works and would relish the challenge.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by concrete

Sadly my 2004 XC70 looks like it’s got to go. It would appear it’s got a head gasket issue and I just can’t warrant spending the money on it. Of course, this is most annoying having spent £850.00 in December on service, mot, cambelt and brakes. Plus the £400.00 of Michelins I put on it last month.

Reason for posting is I was wondering if there are specialist Volvo breakers (I’m north Essex) where I might be able to sell it who might give me a reasonable price. I’m not one for just trading in cars, or selling it so some poor sod ends up with the problem. It’s a D5 lux model, so lots of goodies worth taking off it.

I’ve had it 12 years and wanted it to last another three and the plan was to move to an XC 60. Sadly finances at the minute means something cheaper until then, but I’ll defintely be going back to a Volvo, this one was the best car I’ve ever owned.

Thanks for reading.

These engines don't blow head gaskets for fun , unless severely neglected with poor coolant or have been overheated due to a coolant leak . It is always more economic or not much more to fix the problem than get another car ..

[Ian21401]

If you like the car so much and wanted to keep it for another few years before changing it, repair it. Seriously check out the cost of repairs. You’ve spent money on it already and would simply be throwing that away if you got rid of it. Almost surely to be less than the cost of something which could come with it’s own problems. You will see from other threads on here how people have resurrected apparent basket cases to live again. I don’t know much about D5 heads but surely it is repairable somehow at less than the cost of another useable car.

[concrete]

My mate has quoted me £1550.00 if it’s head gasket and if something more sinister it’s gets frightening. Car has been looked after correctly and he is surprised it’s doing what it is. Pressurising and losing water periodically. I know what you guys mean about possibly buying another car with problems and it has crossed my mind.

[concrete]

Forgot to say, the car doesn’t overheat.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by concrete

Forgot to say, the car doesn’t overheat.

have you tried a new pressure cap on the bottle? I've known of several cases over the years when this has been the problem ..

[Ian21401]

£1550 to £2000 estimate to repair. What reliable car could you get for that. Anything that price, with the possible exception of an enthusiast maintained old Volvo, could have all sorts of issues.

[concrete]

Originally Posted by Clan

have you tried a new pressure cap on the bottle? I've known of several cases over the years when this has been the problem ..

It actually split the bottle and it was replaced along with the cap a month ago. We’ve been discussing it this morning and on the piston heads forum there’s a guy with exactly the same issue. His started in 2015 and in 2018 he was still driving around in the car with it still doing it. I’m tempted to just run it as it only loses water on motorway/dual carriageway driving. I’ve got another vehicle I can use for that. Decisions decisions.