My friends "babied" 96 850 with 125K miles suddenly started leaking some oil!!
Dealer says its a combo of oil and antifreeze and that the head gasket is suspect!! Problem is this.........my friend maintained this 850 from new like a swiss watch and NEVER abused it or overheated it!! What gives??? Is the 5 cylinder known to "just" let a head gasket go??? Cost to repair about $2K and he's figuring on dumping the car!! The car runs/drives like a dream so there is no MAJOR gasket blow. Is this just an annoying thing and the car can go another 100K or are 850's known to just "pop" a gasket like the Foard Taurus???

Why are you guys saying that the 850 does not have a head gasket ?

I haven't taken the head off of an 850, but I'm looking at a parts manual for an 850 and it does show a head gasket. I've also checked several other sources and they all confirm a head gasket. It does not make sense that, on a production vehicle, there would not be a head gasket. Even the most exotic of endinges have a head gasket. The only engine that I have ever worked on that did not have a head gasket was a Crosley.

Of course the 850 has a head gasket!!!

Are you guys confusing valve/camshaft cover gasket with the valve gasket. That valve/camshaft cover gasket is actually a liquid, roll-on gasket.

But the actual head gasket is just that, a head gasket.

Correction:

"Are you guys confusing valve/camshaft cover gasket with the valve gasket."

should read:

Are you guys confusing valve/camshaft cover gasket with the head gasket.

You can check if there is coolant in oil by opening oil filler cap. If oil is light-brown and foamy, there is coolant in oil (bad news).

Finally, I agree with everyone: Volvos dont have head gasket problems. At least, less than Toyota Cressidas.

So the dealer told you the problem is a head gasket that duzn't exist? I have been reading three Volvo boards for more than a year and have never heard of anyone else with this problem. So it is not only not common on this motor, it is apparently unheard of.

How can you tell if the dealer personell are lying to you?










Their lips move!




Good luck.

Told my friend to go for a 2nd opinion from an indy! When I asked him if the dealer service was busy, he said they were SLOW! So hey....if ya want your car to be PERFECT........sure...we'll reseal your 1 drop of oil per day leak for $2000!

Get yourself a "block test kit" to confirm. NAPA has them for about $60. Basically, it senses any CO2 (exhaust) in the radiator and will change color.
This will confirm whether it's a head gasket.

Bob

Get a second opinion-- head gaskets are not typically an issue with 850s. Also Confirm that you are losing coolant. Apparently there is a test available at the local shop where they will check for coolant leaks, as well as test for head gasket leak from the exhaust (some checmical reaction) which would show if coolant was burning in the engine block. Also look for white exhaust smoke indicating coolant burning.

Lunchman
'95 850 Turbo, 131,000 mi, bilstein HD

Because there is no gasket, 850's don't have many problems. The factory uses a glue for a gasket and it must be expertly applied, not a DIY job. If it is not a turbo, check the PCV for cleaning.
I have a hard time believing that oil AND coolant are leaking from the same place. Is there coolant in the oil already? I would find another mechanic and get a second opinion before I sell my car and buy and Audi.

Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 88 245(165K mi)