Engine: 2.5: Head-gasket failure ?

[MADBLUE]

A couple of months ago I acquired a 1998 V70 2.5 10v. After about 15mins of driving, the engine overheats. The temp gauge goes to max, coolant boils, however the engine fan does not kick in.

If the internal heating is put to hot, the fan put on full blast and the car is driven steadily it doesn't overheat. Also if it's left to stand for a couple of days, on startup the engine is slightly rough but after revving for about 10 seconds clears itself.

I took it into a local garage and they say it all points to the head-gasket having failed. Is there something else I can try before assuming the worst ?

[JamesV70R]

Check the thermostat isn't stuck shut, that might be the cause. Also check the fan relays work - use the "Search" function as I'm sure its all been covered before.

Are you loosing any coolant, and are you getting clouds of steam from the exhaust when the engine is hot? My brothers Peugeot 106 was firing steam rings (like smoke rings, only steamy!) from the exhaust every few seconds when his went a few months back.

[surrey_man]

thermostat is less then £8 from GSF always worth replacing when buying a new car

[KBB]

I would be investigating why the cooling fan is not coming on!

[MADBLUE]

Thanks for the hints and tips so far. Will have a proper look over the car at the weekend.

Assuming the worst what's the normal cost to get the head gasket replaced? The local garage estimated in the region of £1.5k which sounds on the steep side.

[JamesV70R]

Also the garage can do a "sniffer" test - they put a small probe in to the expansion tank and test for combusion gasses.

To help us help you though:

Are you loosing any coolant?
Is the car excessively steamy, even when warm?

If the answer is "No" to both of the above then its very unlikely the head gasket has gone, and its more likely to be the thermostat which is a 5 minute job in the driveway, costing no more than £10.

[surrey_man]

Ouch £1.5k they giving you a replacement head in gold

Cam belt kit it's £93 ish from gsf gen volvo o e I don't think more then £150

Then lab charge at £60 a hour about 2-4 hours so no more then £500 all in

You can do a conpression test (tools £30 halfords) that will tell you if heads gone

[RiPsTa33]

1.5k for a head gasket is a ridiculous price

[Luxobarge]

£1.5k for a head gasket isn't a price, it's a message.

And the message is: "We don't want the job".

Go to a good independant mechanic, it would only be a few £hundred, and that's IF it's the H/G gone. Which it probably isn't.

It's probably a stuck-closed thermostat, which will be a total bill of less than £50, or do it yourself as it's really easy, part will be £10 max.

Cheers

[MADBLUE]

Yes been loosing some coolant, and yes exhaust is white and steamy when cold. Once up to temperature not so bad but still a little white, so pointing towards head gasket.

Got a new thermostat in case, but can't get the housing off as bolts too tight -will need to get an adaptor to use my socket.

Read some good reports on 'Steel Seal' so have put a couple of bottles of that in, so let's see if that makes any difference.

Left on tick-over for an hour (for Steel Seal) and fan never came on, but temp. on gauge never went past mid level. At what stage should it kick in ?