Head Gasket

[Tomos850]

Has any one had a head gasket repair recently, how much should I fork out for parts + labour? (approx), 850 Estate auto 2.5 10 v. 1996.

[t5 pete]

euro parts sell a full gasket set for arond £50 most of the time the head will be skimed so add another £40-£60 theres other little bits you will need but there not too expensive also you will need to fit a new timing belt and surpantine belt

[timbo_1975]

I would add- just make sure whoever does the job has done one before, as they are not as straight forwards as most other engines.

Releasing the cam carrier must be done carefully- they are very tight on the dowels, and i have seen them snapped in two if you go levering away willynilly.

They will need to get the proper Volvo liquid gasket (or the loctite equivilent) and a long-hair roller to put it on with. And follow the instructions to the letter. Do not paste it on like custard in a trifle!

Also the proper tools to release, and refit the cam carrier against the valve springs are essential to avoid damage.

Tim..

[Jod T5]

Also the proper tools to release, and refit the cam carrier against the valve springs are essential to avoid damage.



Yes very much so, if you have a Haynes manual it will show you how to make the tool out of some endless thread.....
Also do not remove the cam sprockets, these will need specialist alignment too..

Cheers
Jod

[Dangerous Dave]

Should be a lot easier than the turbo engine, as there's nothing fiddly to get stuck with down the back of the engine!

[Dangerous Dave]

I know I'm gonna get slated for this, but when I took my cams out, I had to remove the sprockets to change the oil seals, and when I put them back on, I aligned them using the indentation the bolt heads had made on the sprockets (and obviously marking which sprocket came off which cam and a general alignment mark)

[Dangerous Dave]

They will need to get the proper Volvo liquid gasket (or the loctite equivilent) and a long-hair roller to put it on with. And follow the instructions to the letter. Do not paste it on like custard in a trifle!


I read somewhere that vauxhall dealers do the same liquid gasket at a fraction of the volvo price. Dunno if anyone can confirm this.

[TenaciousC]

Hi

I was quoted over a grand for the job so decided to attempt it myself. You can read here (http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16020).



It took me a long time to do... due to inexperience.... probably about 5 days in total (spread over a number of weekends). This was a 20v engine, so it took a while to recondition and grind in the valves. A 10 valve engine will be a lot quicker!

On top of a cylinder head kit (from ebay), I needed new timing belt, new head bolts, volvo liquid gasket, a deep valve stem seal removal tool and a deep valve spring compressor. On top of that had to fashion a cam alignment tool and the head compressor.

Personally I found the hardest part removing the ancillary components such as the exhaust and inlet manifolds. I also managed to get the cams muddled up when putting it back together (God knows how)! In total I think I spent about £350 on the above parts and tools and sold the car after for £450.

It was a nice project for the summer though, and good experience, but it isn't a job to tackled lightly.

Good luck with it.

C

[Tomos850]

Very interesting, thanks Guys. Lot's of useful advice. When it needs doing best to get someone whose done one before!!!

[Alan M]

And use genuine parts too easpecially if you are keeping the car.

[Dangerous Dave]

And use genuine parts too easpecially if you are keeping the car.

What Al siad......

PM Rufe, he works for Volvo and gets a members discount off genuine parts.