For $500-800 it might be a good buy. A consistant misfire in one cylinder will produce a code, you don't have that. You need to go back with a scanner and check all codes, do NOT erase any. A dishonest dealer will erase the codes before you look at it and the CEL will not come on until there are multiple engine starts with the same code.
Yes, it could be a head gasket in pretty bad shape. Or a completely clogged PTC so the vacuum does not drop to idle level and causing the fuel pressure regulator to run rich.
Did you check the tranny fluid? If it is brown, don't bother. But if it is bright red, wonder if the dealer flushed it so it would shift.
In other words, I don't trust dealers. The prior owner should have more mechanical guesses than just coils or MAF. Why were the spark plugs not changed?
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Klausc, a Volvoholic
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