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With many a 700/900 series Volvo turbo approaching and overtaking 200K I am sure many of these cars need head gaskets. Symptoms for two of my cars a 1989 740T and a 1991 940T were similar, and both eventually needed head gaskets. Of course I was in deep denial before I succumbed to the truth of head gasket replacement. My symptoms were a radiator hose suddenly blown off and coolant emptied. Replaced hose and clamp. It ran cool until another CA hot day and then the coolant overflow hose burst. Fixed and went on for another 200 miles. Then of course the heater valve broke at the plastic juncture. More antifreeze and more fixing until head gasket. The funny thing is you don't see much antifreeze seeping and power and performance is still pretty good... But the engine builds up steam that displaces the coolant somewhere. The jiggle test will show buildup of gases when the engine is warmed up. My radiator hose got tight with gas. On my other car the thermostat blew out so I thought it was that, but no it was the head gasket. Frankly all these motors would benefit by a new head gasket at around 200K as regular maitenance! I've learned. The red blocks can take an almost unreasonable amount of heat abuse and with a freshened head and new head gasket, run beautifully.
Almost always I change the timing belt, pulley, waterpump, radiator and some hoses and sometimes the crank gear as long as you are in there. Then you feel renewed and seriously ready for another 50K.
I'm sure all the 740/940 fans out there know that great deals are around the corner for those willing to challenge and defeat the red block head gasket monster the major scourge of so many overheat and stumbling and smog problems.
Comrades, I have learned. I have stopped buying excessive amounts of coolant and water wetters and such. Just knuckle down and change that head gasket and live long and prosper...
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