Hilton Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 As many of you know, I recently replaced the head gasket in my 1997 850 GLT. (See this thread http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.php?showtopic=67152 ) Upon completion of this project, steam is still streaming from the dipstick and has a miss on the number two cylinder. According to the machine shop, the head checked out okay. The only thing I can think of is the mating surface of the block or a cracked cylinder wall. Does anybody else have any idea what else could cause this? Has anyone else had this problem?How much is a new block, used block, forged block, etc. Essentially, what options do I have.Thanks in advance,Hilton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussB Posted December 30, 2006 Report Share Posted December 30, 2006 steam coming out the dipstick would indicate a cracked block Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r0k0 Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 you do know that Volvo Motorsport sells brand new blocks which you have the option 2.3L or 2.4Land they come with hi performance pistons, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfeener Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Sounds more like a broken piston; either the rings themselves or more likely the lands on the piston that hold the rings in place. The tipoff is you're getting smoke pouring out of the dipstick tube which indicates combustion gases are blowing past the rings and into the crankcase where the pressure blows it out the dipstick tube. I would first do a compression test which I'm betting will show near zero on number 2 cylinder. In either case, unless you're going to do this work yourself, it's time for a new engine. If you can do the work yourself, I'm betting a new piston in the number 2 hole will take care of it. Remove the head and the oil pan. Cut the ridge at the top of the cylinder. Disconnect the connecting rod for the number 2 piston and push it out the top. I'm betting you'll have a lot of little pieces failing off the piston as you push it out. If you go to this trouble, might as well do all the rings and rod bearings while you have it apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted December 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 you do know that Volvo Motorsport sells brand new blocks which you have the option 2.3L or 2.4Land they come with hi performance pistons, etcI checked out their site, and the block is $4,795.00. That's more than I paid for the car almost two years ago. I'm going to pull the head off and see what's what. I'll do it tomorrow and post pictures of what I find.Pfeener, I don't think I've got smoke coming out of the dipstick, I think it's steam. So much steam in the crankcase that it's whistling coming out from next to the distributer. There are drops of water on the dipstick itself. I don't think I'm going to check the compression. I think I'm just going to pull everything off and turn the engine over by hand until the second cylinder is at the bottom. Thanks for the replies, I haven't done anything drastic, I still have my arms... as of yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Broken pistons would be very rare and would not have anything to do with "steam".Look around for a used engine or a "short block" from a auto parts store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfeener Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Yep, if it's steam and not smoke, I concur, it has nothing to do with a piston or rings. If it's steam, there's a leak between the coolant and the oil. Could be a leaking head gasket, but more probably a cracked block or head. If you're going to remove the head again, I would examine the head gasket closely for wrinkles or gaps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwackme Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Rule #1 of diagnosing problems involving work you did.... what was the LAST thing you did?You had the head off previously correct?Looking at Laird's block picture, the water jackets are wide open on the Volvo block, and the head gasket has a HUGE amount of exposure to the water jacket. You really really need to do a fantastic job installing the head gasket, sealing it and torquing the head gasket down to make 100% sure the seal is perefect.One tiny flaw in your workmanship on this, improper sealant, bit of dirt, etc when doing that job and you can easily have a nasty coolant leak into SOMETHING... crankcase, cylinder, outside, whatever.So you need to really review your work, and upon reinstalling (assuming no catastrophic damage) be very careful about doing it correctly. It aint a chevy or ford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted December 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Okay! First I thought this was the problem.Then I determined it was just a scratch.When I looked at the head itself, this is what I found.I'm no expert, but this could have been a source of difficulty. Then again, I've seen it happen on Fords and SBCs and they ran fine for a couple hundred thousand miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird Posted December 31, 2006 Report Share Posted December 31, 2006 Something got pinched during install, what is it? That is likely the culprit. There seems to be some support for spraying the head gasket with "copper spray" or even paint. Compostion head gaskets should be installed CLEAN and dry. Head bolts should be new and lightly lubed and installed in CLEAN (run a tap down if you can) block holes to get proper torque readings. Your cylinder walls look fine. I would try reinstalling the head following Uwackme's (and of course my) sage advise and go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted January 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 I'm sure it's the cause of the problem. It's hard for me to get sarcasm to come through in written form.It's part of the hard plastic line that goes from the passenger side of the intake manifold to in front of the turbo inlet. The line shattered when I attempted to pull it loose. I replaced the line with silicone and must have missed a piece. Oops.Well, I'm man enough to admit my mistakes. I'm overjoyed that I'm not searching for a new block.For future reference, the upper and lower parts of the head, camshafts, intake manifold and exhaust manifold can be removed by one person in just less than four hours.Happy new year everybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laird Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 For future reference, the upper and lower parts of the head, camshafts, intake manifold and exhaust manifold can be removed by one person in just less than four hours.Happy new year everybody.And redone by same for the cost of a new gasket set and another 8-10 hrs labor. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfeener Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 I would change the oil & filter a couple of times; once before you start it up and again after it runs for a short period of time (10 - 15 minutes. Antifreeze in the oil system is bad news. It will cause the wrist pins and rod bearings to sieze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussB Posted January 1, 2007 Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 And redone by same for the cost of a new gasket set and another 8-10 hrs labor. ...and another set of headbolts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilton Posted January 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2007 ... and a new intake manifold gasket too. Half of mine stuck to the head, half to the manifold. I think I may order some new exhaust and turbo studs while I'm at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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