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What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

posted by  rice240 on  Fri Feb 12 18:14 CST 2016
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last visit: Tue Aug 26 10:51 CST 2014
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Sad News. I am the original owner of a 2004 XC90 2.5T AWD. White with Charcoal. 275,000 miles. Looks GREAT. Leather is perfect. Started running rough. Cylinder 4 is dead. Compression test says 0. Cylinder 5 is at 80. The rest are 135. Volvo dealer said head gasket but it was never broken down.

The car is just to nice to junk. It has a lot of miles though. What to do?








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    What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

    posted by  Frank19382 on  Sat Mar 12 09:00 CST 2016
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    last visit: Mon Feb 10 20:19 CST 2014
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    I had a similar scenario with my '88 760 that occured at around 65 or 70K miles... Bottomline is that I took the car to Kuykendall's Volvo (Garlyn Shelton now) in Waco and had them replace the cylinder head. I drove the 760 for the next 15 years amassing a total of 315,000 miles before parting ways...

    A new XC90 is ~$50K...say a $1K/month car payment... Guestimating ~$4K to repair yours...and keeping a car you know....I'd repair it and drive it for the next 8-10 years...

    Frank








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    What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

    posted by  rice240 on  Mon Feb 15 10:23 CST 2016
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    last visit: Tue Aug 26 10:51 CST 2014
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    What is so frustrating is that I have meticulous notes and receipts since new. I changed oil every 5K with Mobile One and only ran premium fuel. I drove the car to NM from Houston area and had to buy some questionable gas and then coming home is when it happened. Not sure that did it but that is the only thing that I can think of. I heard that the bad gas can actually make the car burn hotter. It was 85 octane. They don't even have that where I live. I had also just replaced lots of suspension bushings etc before the trip!








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      What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

      posted by  riverbend on  Mon Feb 15 18:10 CST 2016
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      last visit: Wed Oct 22 15:29 CST 2014
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      If it makes you feel any better I'm in the process of putting $1000 worth of parts and machine work into a valve job on a '67 122. Granted, I'm replacing the cam, lifters, timing gear, and timing cover (modified for a lipped oil seal) too, but the point is to keep it a reliable car to drive. Being a ~50 year old unrestored car, it probably isn't as nice as your XC90, and for sure it is not as quiet.

      Tasca Volvo will sell you a cyliner head for about $2000. Lets say the shop charges you another $2000 to install it and replace the timing belt, tensioner, serpentine belt, make a boat payment, etc. For $4000 are you going to be able to get a car as nice as the one you have ?

      It is a big chunk of change, but I think for $4k you are looking at a 10 year old Chevy Impala. Not that Chevy Impalas are bad cars, but... With 200,000 miles on the clock it is not surprising that it needs some engine work. At the end of the day, it is your call.

      Greg







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        What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

        posted by  rice240 on  Mon Feb 15 18:16 CST 2016
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        last visit: Tue Aug 26 10:51 CST 2014
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        I know… I have my original purchase 1990 240 as well. I will spend any amount on that one! I guess the XC90 is "cool" enough yet.








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      What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

      posted by  KlausC on  Mon Feb 15 13:12 CST 2016
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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      One or two tankfuls of 85 octane will not degrade the engine that rapidly. Yes, the lower the octane, the hotter the burn, which is why the old engines will 'ping' on accelleration and in hot weather. 50-100K miles for 85 octane at sea level will probably get the valves worn and start eating away at the head gasket.

      I realize that you kept very good care of your car, most modern day non-Volvo nuts would have driven it into the ground at around 150K miles. So, contact a couple of shops and ask them what they would charge to replace a head - remember, the engine stays in the car.

      If the head is warped, possible, then getting a reconditioned head or finding a good head and refurbishing it yourself is an option. No option will be 'cheap', but at least you will have a known car.

      --
      Keeping it running is better than buying new








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    What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

    posted by  KlausC on  Sat Feb 13 13:40 CST 2016
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    I took a look at Houston's Craigslist and the prices are all over the place for the XC90. Some of them are trashed and with half the mileage as yours. But, for $3K you could pick up a nice looking 2005 with unknown mileage:

    http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5446335394.html

    A replacment head gasket will probably charge out at around $1200, fixing the valves on #4 and #5. The other readings of 130 are a bit low, but I assume that the engine was cold and it was a dry reading.

    Actually, you did get your money's worth from this car, if that is any consolation. If you have records of what has been replaced and maintained, that would be a plus to someone who wants to buy and repair the car. Odds are that that would be slim to none given the mileage and the number of XC90s on the market.

    If you decide to run the engine, please pull the electrical connector for the fuel injector on #4. No need to pour fuel into the crank case.
    --
    Keeping it running is better than buying new








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    What should I do- Blown Head Gasket XC90 2004

    posted by  riverbend on  Fri Feb 12 20:57 CST 2016
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    last visit: Wed Oct 22 15:29 CST 2014
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    That's a tough one. If it is just bad gasket and the head isn't warped, it is probably worth rebuilding the head and replacing the gasket. If the head is warped, you will need a different one that has been reworked. Neither of the choices are particularly easy or inexpensive (respectively), even if you do the work yourself. IIRC, the tricky bit is getting the cams reinstalled correctly.

    Pick a number, what is it worth to put the car back on the road ? What do the repair estimates come in at ?

    Let us know the numbers and what you decide. I suspect some of us will be facing similar issues in the not too distant future...

    Greg







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