2004 S60R Blown Head Gasket Maybe Cracked Head Dealer Says 4500 + 3500 If Cracked

[Aayomofo]

I'm new to this thanks a head of time for any help, so here I go... can repair money=build money 2004 S60 R Volvo=worth keeping? Sell? or not to sell ?

Recently bought a Volvo, 1st owned for me. It was purchased for my girlfriend, thinking about the name Volvo has created for itself about being a very safe car and how she drives the interstate to work everyday. S60 R 115,000 miles had no credit so searching through endless car lots only to stumble upon this thought Diamond in the rough. 10,000.00$ with 30% credit refinanced with a credit union to around 4% after paying on it for a couple months. Still owe 9,000.00$...

Changed timing belt, oil trap, and some suspension stuff totaled upwards of 3,500.00$ through Volvo dealer thinking we were going to be driving a next to new car. Noticed a small oil leak, waited for money to fix. Noticed a big oil leak, oil had mixed into the coolant reservoir but not showing mixed on the dipstick. Drive-able sounds fine no loss of power. Volvo diagnosed the rear cam seal leaking 410.00$ coolant flush 140.00$ and then they said that they think with the oil in the coolant reservoir the head gasket is blown 4,500.00 and if it is cracked another 3,000.00 .... OMG VOLVO I don't know what to do ... Record low temp. here in Tn. went to drive my 02 Honda Prelude and it busted a gasket i guess, someone asked if I had enough antifreeze and I responded I'm a Floridiate lol but haven't gotten it in to diag.

So still 9k in debt with the car note, 5k maybe 8k worth or repair to get back on the road any only had 1k saved to spend on the cam seal leak... I'm hoping someone is really good with math on here and can solve this problem but still show your work lol. Im also a very helpful jack of all trades master of none laborer, would love to mop shop or learn to turn a wrench under the hood properly in trade for service haha...

Please someone help me I'm at a loss ...

[Tightmopedman9]

I'd try and get a second opinion on the work required and a new estimate. Although, if your head gasket is blown badly enough you could be risking the entire engine by driving it at all.

If you feel ambitious you could do the work yourself, however it is a big job. If you had to replace the entire head you could do the job for under $500. Without a new head you could do it for less than $200.

Sorry I don't have much more than that to offer, but I will say getting someone else to work on your car is expensive and even more so at a dealership. Invest the time to learn the car and you can fix stuff yourself in the future.

[Aayomofo]

I'd try and get a second opinion on the work required and a new estimate. Although, if your head gasket is blown badly enough you could be risking the entire engine by driving it at all.

If you feel ambitious you could do the work yourself, however it is a big job. If you had to replace the entire head you could do the job for under $500. Without a new head you could do it for less than $200.

Sorry I don't have much more than that to offer, but I will say getting someone else to work on your car is expensive and even more so at a dealership. Invest the time to learn the car and you can fix stuff yourself in the future.

I could prolly buy a lift for the price we are going to have to pay to fix it ... lol I wonder if I had the money to pay to have it fixed it if it would be worth it to keep the car or if the money i would be spending could go to the right shop to build the engine up

I could prolly buy a lift for the price we are going to have to pay to fix it ... lol I wonder if I had the money to pay to have it fixed it if it would be worth it to keep the car or if the money i would be spending could go to the right shop to build the engine up

and where can i find a trusted pro euro racing shop in mid tn to ask about it. ?

[dougy]

I'm new to this thanks a head of time for any help, so here I go... can repair money=build money 2004 S60 R Volvo=worth keeping? Sell? or not to sell ?

Recently bought a Volvo, 1st owned for me. It was purchased for my girlfriend, thinking about the name Volvo has created for itself about being a very safe car and how she drives the interstate to work everyday. S60 R 115,000 miles had no credit so searching through endless car lots only to stumble upon this thought Diamond in the rough. 10,000.00$ with 30% credit refinanced with a credit union to around 4% after paying on it for a couple months. Still owe 9,000.00$...

Changed timing belt, oil trap, and some suspension stuff totaled upwards of 3,500.00$ through Volvo dealer thinking we were going to be driving a next to new car. Noticed a small oil leak, waited for money to fix. Noticed a big oil leak, oil had mixed into the coolant reservoir but not showing mixed on the dipstick. Drive-able sounds fine no loss of power. Volvo diagnosed the rear cam seal leaking 410.00$ coolant flush 140.00$ and then they said that they think with the oil in the coolant reservoir the head gasket is blown 4,500.00 and if it is cracked another 3,000.00 .... OMG VOLVO I don't know what to do ... Record low temp. here in Tn. went to drive my 02 Honda Prelude and it busted a gasket i guess, someone asked if I had enough antifreeze and I responded I'm a Floridiate lol but haven't gotten it in to diag.

So still 9k in debt with the car note, 5k maybe 8k worth or repair to get back on the road any only had 1k saved to spend on the cam seal leak... I'm hoping someone is really good with math on here and can solve this problem but still show your work lol. Im also a very helpful jack of all trades master of none laborer, would love to mop shop or learn to turn a wrench under the hood properly in trade for service haha...

Please someone help me I'm at a loss ...

oh man sorry to read that, i hope it turns out good for you...

1. does your caR have or had any mods ?

2. did those experts do a carbon in coolant test?

3. do you a have a misfire in the morning when it is cold and then it goes away?

if all of the above are NO's, it "Might" be just your oil cooler on the back of your oil pan..

here is a better forum for your R...also let them know where you are from in that forum...and let me know how it turns out.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/forumdisplay.php?51-R-Forum-(2004-2007)

[Mesoam]

a blown head gasket or cracked head will make a very noticeable change in drive-ability...

[Piston Slapper]

Just wondering... why is this in performance modifications instead of maintenance?

[Aayomofo]

That was my question. I am wondering if we could just spend 5k towards having a pro shop build it back up rather than paying 5k to the dealer just to fix it. It is completely stock. Drives like nothing is wrong with it but dealer says its a head gasket and maybe cracked head with the oil showing in the coolant... no coolant on oil dipstick though. I think I want to sell it but not sure if someone will pay what its worth, any techs want to buy? lol

[bum2kev]

It sounds like the oil cooler is leaking which is common. if its driving fine I would say there is a good chance your block and HG are fine. If you know how to change your own oil you can change out an oil cooler.

Blue is the oil drank plug red is the oil cooler, held on by 4 bolts. you would need to get 2 new gaskets.

[Burn-E]

Agreed, really does sound like the oil cooler.

However, if it has mechanical issues people will pay what it's worth, they just won't pay what you owe.

What part of Tennessee are you in? We have a couple of guys on the forum who live down there, including a mod who is a tech who lives in Nashville.

Reach out to Ihatespeedbumps and ask him if he can recommend a shop or if you live close enough, who knows, maybe he has time to give you a second opinion.

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/user/19867-ihatespeedbumps/

[Gideon35T]

Buy a Haynes manual for $40 and go from there. Even if you needed to replace the radiator, head, headgasket, oil pan, and everything else related to oil and/or coolant you'd still be <$1,500.

(Also, I agree that you should check your oil cooler FIRST and go from there. I'd just go ahead and replace it regardless honestly.)

[Aayomofo]

Im in Mid Tn.

wow thank you all for such quick responses as this is time sensitive due to lack of transportation lol... We love the car. It is beautiful, handles great. Turning radius sucks but it is the awd lol. I will ask the service tech at the dealership about it being the oil cooler. I've been warned about euro cars being expensive but 4500 for a head gasket that in a honda would be what 600? I had no idea of the price gap for getting service done.

Would i be able to drive it to another shop or lot in said condition without causing serious damage ?

Do I count my losses and bow out as a reg Joe that has no lift and go with a Honda or S10 pick up for cheaper maint. ? If so any offers?

Im a stay at home dad for the time being so I have an open schedule. I have worked as a beginner tech for Mazda, oil tech for Best one, Quality tires, maint. mech. for Scepter Aluminum including arc welding, also labored for masons so Im not afraid of manual labor lol . too much to list jack of trades master of none.

limited tools and no lift.

If anyone has a performance shop that needs an apprentice, could let me use a lift and guide me in repairing my and others vehicles properly, I could be your shop b***h, do boy / apprentice lol. I also have a 92 si prelude. I love the ideas of the mechanics that goes into racing development and have had strong interests in engine mechanics throughout my life and would love to be able to know what im doing and master a trade Im passionate about. Just putting it out there ya never know haha

Thank you all again for your time... AA

[Burn-E]

Which dealership are you going to in which city? If you're in Middle Tennessee then only 2 dealers are out there:

Darrell Waltrip in Franklin

Volvo of Nashville

[Aayomofo]

Which dealership are you going to in which city? If you're in Middle Tennessee then only 2 dealers are out there:

Darrell Waltrip in Franklin

Volvo of Nashville

We have been to both

[bum2kev]

did they run a compression test?

[Burn-E]

^^^^ This would answer everything you need to know as far as the status of a cracked cylinder or a HG failure.