[B]Head Gasket Gone[/B]

[foggyjames]

I have a friend in Sunderland who is an amateur Volvo enthusiast (with quite a collection) and very capable with a set of spanners. If you get stuck, I could ask him if he's be willing to look at it for you.

cheers

James

[yragyrag90]

Ok, so earlier this week I phoned around a few places, after getting a few responses of £450+ I was starting to lose faith.

I then called Autofix, in Shiremoor, and spoke to a mechanic who sounded like he really knew what he was on about. He told me a bit about the engine and the procedure and quoted a figure of around £250 (including skimming). So it's all booked in for tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have it back by early next week.

Do you think he'll swap the cam belt as standard procedure or would I have to ask him to do that as an extra?

[honestjoe]

I would have it changed even it is not that old..The main reason being (and i "m not absolutely sure of this)..Your cambelt would not be covered by the work done as it is supplied by you/the car..If they fit a new one for you it will be covered by garage..it should not increase the bill by much as the engine will already be prepared for new one..also if its over two years old i would be in no doubt to have it changed..it will save you another job further down the line hj.

[foggyjames]

£450+ is silly money. These cars are easy to work on, and a skilled mechanic could easily have the job done in an afternoon (plus time to have the head skimmed). I think our record (granted, we know them pretty damn well...) is 2 hours for engine out, oil pump change, and engine back in.

£250 sound very reasonable. Given the price of the cambelt, it's basically rude not to have it done.

cheers

James