head gasket

[lone chippy]

Hi

can anyone tell me how much it cost to replace a head gasket in a v90 3 litre estate , it is a 1996


Thanks

[JamesB]

Now this is a coincidence.

I've just got back from a drive in the 960 and am wondering if my head gasket is on the way out. The temperature needle, which has hitherto been rock-steady at near enough vertical, was fluctuating in the top quarter of the gauge, although it didn't quite make it into the red, and would drop to vertical again on occasion before heading up again.

Also I've noticed a slightly lumpy idle over the past week or so, particularly on startup - I've experienced something similar just before the head gasket on an Saab 900 went South. I've not had time to check the coolant level yet, as the engine is still hot, but will do so first thing in the morning.

So is this likely to be my head gasket? Or should I look elsewhere?

If it is the head gasket, how many hours' labour (either a silly main dealer rates or at a more reasonable specialist) are we talking?

Apologies to Lone Chippy - I'm not trying to hijack your topic, but I figured we're essentially asking the same question, so I didn't want to start a duplicate thread. If yours has gone, can I ask what the symptoms were?

Cheers

James
'96 960 3.0CD

[Mike_Brace]

We've never done one but it won't be a cheap job. I'm sure the gasket set is round the £100 mark and I can't see it being less than a full day's labour + skimming the head + new belts. I hope someone will be able to give you a better idea.
Regards James B problem it could be dodgy thermostat or temp sensor or other causes. Coolant loss would suggest head gasket but not proof on its own.
Mike

[migrator]

Local non franchised garage cost for head gasket replacement (including all parts and skim of head) recently was £475.00.

[JamesB]

Migrator, could I ask what the labour rate at your garage was?

Spoke to the local Volvo dealership this morning, Tollbar in Teddington, who were exceptionally polite and very helpful. It's a £1200 job, according to the chap there although that's at a labour rate of £95 per hour.

I have an excellent local garage staffed by Polish mechanics who charge £40 per hour, which might just about make the job worth doing, given that the gasket set is only £25 or so AFAIK. Watch this space ...

Cheers

James

[neil stevenson]

At that price you could afford to travel some distance and get it fixed else where and save a bundle of cash.
Travel up to Scotland. have a few days in a B & B and get the job done there.

Neil Stevenson.

[johnjp]

Or Poland!

[classicswede]

well that makes my £25 an hour cheap!!

[JamesB]

Well my friendly local garage (the one with the Polish mechanics) has quoted £550, which is rather more acceptable. Still waiting for a response from mkg3000, who are the local Volvo independent specialist, and then I'll make a decision.

As for driving up to Scotland to have the work done, I guess it's just s*d's law that this didn't happen when we were in Edinburgh for the best part of two weeks last month ... At £25 an hour, though, I'm tempted to make the trip to Wales!

Cheers

James

[migrator]

Hi James,

I do not have the invoice to hand but I reckon the charge was less than £30.00 per hour. They did admit that this was the first of these lumps they had ever worked on. It is a family business and I was introduced to them after an RAC recovery.

Pity about Edinburgh as I use another non franchised garage there. Staffed by 'Chentlemen' from the West coast and a number of ex Volvo folks. They are (or were the last time) also less than £30.00 per hour and are happy to use kit that you supply yourself. Loan cars are also thrown in if organised in advance.