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Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

posted by  TheJohnG on  Wed Feb 23 12:07 CST 2011
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last visit: Fri Jun 7 07:51 CST 2013
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Looking at a 1992 240 Wagon, beautiful. After talking to the owner (original) for a while I discovered that her mechanic said it needs a master cylinder right away.
That's no big deal I'd say. She also told me that her mechanic predicted that she will need a new head gasket within about a year.

My question for those with experience. Can a prediction be made like that about a head gasket, or is the mechanic crazy?

Thanks from a new Volvo fan.








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    Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

    posted by  David Samuels on  Thu Feb 24 09:29 CST 2011
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    I agree with Goatman. That's like being "a little pregnant". If he ran a compression test and found a cylinder low, he has reason to expect some sort of leak, but that alone would not indicated a head gasket. There are diagnostic operations that would turn up a leak between adjacent cylinders, which would indicate a head gasket leak. But at that point, it's a leak, not a leak waiting to happen. Don't deal the deal a death blow yet. Surely the seller will allow you to take the car to another mechanic for a once over. That can include a compression check. If there is any imbalance, if there is any sign of water in oil or oil in water, then yes, a head gasket is looming. Low compression can also be a bad valve though. Which is worse!

    DS








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    Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

    posted by  TheJohnG on  Thu Feb 24 09:07 CST 2011
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    Thanks for the insight gang,
    The decision has been made, no Ford for me.
    Seriously, as much as I like the car I'm going no where near a head gasket problem, that is not the way I want to start my relationship with the car.
    I Found a 1991 that runs like a top and looks cool too.
    I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions.

    Thanks,
    John G








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    Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

    posted by  TONY H on  Wed Feb 23 14:08 CST 2011
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    last visit: Fri Oct 17 16:39 CST 2014
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    BAsed on the History of Ford V6 engines, you can predict that soon after 50K miles the Head Gasket is likely to fail. But that's the Ford engine.
    The Volvo 230 engine does not have that kind of predicted history. There is no way to predict a short time future failure unless he has played some games to buy some time on a failed gasket. Over tightened Head bolts, Added a bunch of Radiator Sealent something like that..


    --
    '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html








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      Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

      posted by  zrubin on  Wed Feb 23 14:56 CST 2011
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      That's a major overgeneralization...which Ford V6, let's see there are a few 3.0L (2V and 4V), 2.5L, 2.9L, 3.8L, 4.0L, 4.2L, 3.7L, 3.5L...I'm sure I'm forgetting several of the older ones too. The 3.8L has a reputation for HG issues but I'm sure many of the others do not.

      Zack
      1980 245DL M46 300k
      1988 745T+ M46 248k







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        Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

        posted by  TONY H on  Wed Feb 23 15:19 CST 2011
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        You are correct, The 3.8L is the one I was refering to. It is in most midsized cars.

        Then again, the 4.0 is a leaker too. Lower intake manifold and Headgaskets are very common on that guy

        --
        '75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me http://home.lyse.net/brox/TonyPage4.html








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    Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

    posted by  chup on  Wed Feb 23 12:43 CST 2011
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    Perhaps ask the owner for the name of the mechanic and find out the reason for the predicted head gasket failure. Even a little leaking from a head gasket is no good. Could throw off compression or leak something like oil or coolant.








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    Help me shop for a 240 200 1992

    uid 40935's pic
    posted by  Goatman on  Wed Feb 23 12:09 CST 2011
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    last visit: Sat Jul 26 20:30 CST 2014
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    Hi,


    If there are symptoms of a bad head gasket, it has failed. Think about a light bulb. Does it burn out half-way?


    Goatman







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