Just to throw a question out there to all you experienced people . . .

2.0L 1993 Manual Turbo estate 150K miles

Replaced head gasket a few years ago and it's hardly used a drop of water since then.

Before going on a 50 mile drive the other day I checked the water and found none in the header. Cant see any drips, leaks or anything obvious so am now a little worried.

I looked in there while it was warming up just now and notice that the level rises as it warms up from the min to almost the max but can't remember if that's normal. Stat opens at about the right time and the aftermarket temp gauge which I cut into the top hose and linked straight to the Volvo wiring and gauge is midway on the gauge as usual.

Don't see any emulsion on the oil dip stick (which I slackly hadn't checked for a while it was almost off the end of the dipper).

I remember being in denial about the head gasket before, right up to when it popped the heater matrix and filled the car with steam (wife not amused).

Any suggestions for diagnosis? Maybe it just got hot due to a lack of oil and pushed some water out? or is that grasping at straws . . .

grateful for any ideas
regards