D5 (D5244T to 2005) Sign of head gasket problem.

[shiningliao]

Hi,
I am just about to buy a Volvo S60 (2002 @ 120k miles). Examining the car shows the collant expansion tank have sign of a bit oil !!!!!

That is a sign of head gasket might be broken... is this correct?

I heard Volvo S60 should go much more than 120k before having such problem. Is this correct?

Should I forget about that car?

Appreciate any comment at here. Thanks.

[John_C]

Personally I'd walk away.

Cheers,
John

[JIM C]

Inclined to agree thats it would be a good idea to walk away and look for something as fault free as I can get. Impossible to tell if its just the head gasket or at worse a cracked headed. Costs thus are could be very variable depending on the fault.

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

Yes, you would be better off walking.
Unless the price offered is so good as to cover you for an engine build and it is being sold by a Volvo dealer with a guarantee..

Plenty of other good condition cars available...

Des. . .

[shiningliao]

Thanks for all the advise. Thanks.

The price of the car is good, but not good enough to fix the head gasket problem or else.

What I would like to learn from here is a bit of Volvo D5 diesel engine knowledge.

I told the garage that it seems they haven't done the service this car for long time because of the engine is very black. They told me that is normal for diesel engine. I wasn't really believe what they said at first..... but after, I learned it is true (by visit different garage and check different diesel cars) that diesel engine oil get balck very fast. It's normal.

For the oil sign in the coolant expansion tank, salesman told me that is normal as there are different type of coolant.

I see the coolant colour is dark blue.... is this type of coolant for diesel engine have such sympton?

Another thing is. I would like to hear the experience of everyone. Is Volvo S60 D5 a realiable car? I thought Volvo diesel engine can last something like 250k +... at least this is my impression. If this particular got head gasket problem, then Volvo seems not so robust as I previous thought.

Any comment on D5 engine experience and technical side will be great appreciated.

[shiningliao]

I have searched through the whole forum. I cannot see anyone discuss about D5 engine gaket issue. It seems D5 engine is quite good.

Some posts got diesel engine head gasket issue or cracked headed issue but these all non D5 engine.

I am going to visit Volvo dealer and ask...

[JIM C]

Best of luck. The D5 is a cracking car. Keep us posted.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by shiningliao

Thanks for all the advise. Thanks.

The price of the car is good, but not good enough to fix the head gasket problem or else.

What I would like to learn from here is a bit of Volvo D5 diesel engine knowledge.

I told the garage that it seems they haven't done the service this car for long time because of the engine is very black. They told me that is normal for diesel engine. I wasn't really believe what they said at first..... but after, I learned it is true (by visit different garage and check different diesel cars) that diesel engine oil get balck very fast. It's normal.

For the oil sign in the coolant expansion tank, salesman told me that is normal as there are different type of coolant.

I see the coolant colour is dark blue.... is this type of coolant for diesel engine have such sympton?

Another thing is. I would like to hear the experience of everyone. Is Volvo S60 D5 a realiable car? I thought Volvo diesel engine can last something like 250k +... at least this is my impression. If this particular got head gasket problem, then Volvo seems not so robust as I previous thought.

Any comment on D5 engine experience and technical side will be great appreciated.

It's not normal to have oil in the coolant, and Volvo only use one type of coolant in the diesels. I'd find another dealer who's not a liar.

The D5 is a reliable engine but like any make of car can suffer from from the occasional faulty component. There isn't a 100% fault free make of car on the planet.

I'd compare a few if your not used to the car and find one you feel 100% happy with. I drove about 6 of the same car before I chose one I was happy with.

Roy

[John_C]

The comment about the oil in a diesel getting dirty quickly is true though, every diesel I've had including a modern common rail one has had filthy oil shortly after a service.

Must admit I've never heard anyone trying to blame different types of coolant for oil residue in the expansion tank before, that's priceless (and, as others have already said, a lie)

Cheers,
John

[shiningliao]

Took car to Volvo dealer for the possible gasket problem check... result shows the coolant pressure is normal.

As for the oil in the coolant tank.... the most likely answer is.... some idiot put the oil into the coolant tank.

I've flushed out the all the coolant. It's clear. Probably been cleaned before. Just the sign still left in the coolant expansion tank. I am replacing the tank...