So I was finishing up servicing the steering knuckle and bought a new dipstick the handle had broken off the old when I changed the oil last time (~900 miles ago always use Mobil 1). Any way I pull the old one and the dipstick is loaded with foamy/milky crap and it looks like a blown head gasket to my semi-experinced eyes.

I pulled the cap off the valve cover and it looks clean so I am a little confused but as far as I can tell I am done driving the car and will be pulling the head. I will check the spark plugs tomorrow morning just to be 100% sure that the car can not be driven. The weird thing is that car did recently start using just a little coolant but I thought it was just the lower radiator hose. The car runs great and I never would have guessed it was a blown head gasket.

Did I just get really "lucky" and catch this early? Is there a bars leak fix that is actually recommended to try? I want another 70,000 miles from the car (200,000 miles) so I think I know that it probably needs to come apart. The timing belt is due in 9,000 miles and I think it needs the flame trap cleaned as well so I ordered the following tonight for the project:


FCP Groton:
1997-1998 Volvo V90 OEM Timing Belt Overhaul Kit
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Cylinder Head Gasket Set
1997-1998 Volvo V90 90 Degree Thermostat (OE Volvo)
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Flame Trap Kit
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Flame Trap Clamp
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Flame Trap Housing
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Hose Clamp (Oil Trap Hose-Inlet)
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Flame Trap-Metal
1997-1998 Volvo V90 Sealant-Valve Cover/Oil Pan

IDP:
14 x 6842347 - Cylinder Head Bolt
1 x T1022 - Angle Torque Gauge
1 x 1161059V - Chemical Gasket
1 x 1397546 - Lower Hose
2 x 30044 - Hose Clamp (32-44mm)

What did I forget to order and what else can I line up. I would like to be reassembling the car next weekend if things go well.

Thanks,

Will