Hi I have decided to try to replace my head gasket by myself on my 1985 245 turbo. I was wondering is there anything else I need to do when I replace it. I have heard something about machining the head. Is this necesary and what is this? Also please tell me anything else that should be done. thanks :)

Charles 1985 245ti 134K

If you've got time up your sleeve, spray the exhaust studs with penetrating fluid every day for as long as you've got patience. I did it for 3 weeks before taking mine off, and they were easy.

Alan Clarke

Everything is covered below and I would like to add changing cylinder head bolts and cleaner your oil separator box a.k.a. flame trap box or whatever you want to call it ( the black box that holds your flame trap plumbing). i did mine last month.Good luck..
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ReySC.. '86 744 GLE (Daily Driver),94 944T 87 244 DL . http://groups.msn.com/Reysc/myvolvophotoalbum.msnw?Page=1

The head needs to be planed flat at an auto machine shop. They should only need to remove 0.010 or 10 thousansths of an inch, approximately. More than that indicates the head was REALLY warped. Ask for their evaluation of the head. Try to give it to them in as clean a condition as possible- use lots of degreaser, like Brakleen by CRC. That'll save you $$.
The hardest part probably is getting the exhaust manifold nuts off. These 8 nuts will cause you more headaches.... the best way to approach them is lots of PB Blaster, then SPLIT the nuts with a small chisel. DOn't even try to remove them until the nut is released from the stud by splitting it. If you break the stud, the machine shop will have to replace it and that costs more money, especially if you snap it off flush with the head.
Get a complete gasket set from FCP Groton or similar, and buy a Fel-Pro brand head gasket- they are superior and for the turbo, you always want the best.
Figure on replacing the waterpump and timing belt too unless they're new. Install new front engine seals (you'll be replacing the cam seal anyway, right?)
If this takes more than a day or so at the machine shop, cover the top of the engine to prevent rust due to exposure of the internal surfaces. Never let water sit on the exposed engine block.
With the turbo, you might find it easier to disconnect the exhaust and remove the turbo, manifold, and head together- you'll need a little help because it's heavier but it should make it easier to get the manifold nuts off. Have a place ready to set it down- like a table covered with newspapers or something to protect the bottom surface of the head.
Enjoy!
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

Hmm. Or you could just have them hot tank (or whatever's safe for an aluminum head) it. When I took the sedan's head to the shop, they said they normally do that before they work on it. Of course that has the added bonus of removing any built up carbon and other nasty stuff.

On both my sedan and my friend's 760T we were able to remove the head without pulling the turbo. The studs came off fine too. I also had the shop pull the studs so I could put new ones in. The big problem that was presented was fastening this one exhaust manifold stud. Even so, I suppose it's less hassle than pulling the turbo.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo

bad head gasket as you where asking about compression i gather this is the suspected compression problem would you repost if it fixes it as i mentioned the head gasket to you in a post i would like to know thanks and hope it fixes it good work

As long as you got the head off, take it to an automotive machine shop to have the valves reground and new seals installed from the headgasket set, the head may need to be planed flat. Should be about $250 or so. That's what it cost me here in Texas. Car runs so SMOOTH now. Worth it.
el Raidman

You can not grind turbo valves. The turbo valves have a hardened
stelite(sp?) coating that is destroyed by grinding. You may be
able to replace the valve seats if there is wear but if the
valves don't clean up and look new just from cleaning (not grinding)
they should be replaced. Disposal of the valves is also exciting
since they've got liquid sodium in them....
chris

Only the exhaust valves should have the sodium in them (and sodium is solid at room temp..).

According to the Bentley manual, the coating is only on the exhaust valves on the B21FT. The B230s have the coating on both intake and exhaust valves... however the Bentley claims again that you can hand lap the valves just fine.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo
'84 245 Turbo