Head gasket failure cost on a T5.... sigh

[BigV]

I think the seller must have seen me coming because after covering less than 1k my car overheated a couple of weeks ago and started spewing out water too..... I have Just found out that it is the head gasket on my car is shot.

The car is on something like 160k, so I guess that is fair wear and tear... although there were no signs of HG failure when I bought it (mayo in oil or white smoke other than a bit of condensation).

However what really shocked me was the price of doing the repairs.... £900 ish (same as I paid for the car btw)...... and that is with a local mechanic not a garage or main stealer.

Seems ££££ing expensive, are the T5 engines hard to work on? I know the dealer only gasket parts are a stupid price as well..... any after market stuff worth fitting?

If I decide to get it fixed everything will have to come off and the head will need skimming........ so what other bits should I get done at the same time? I'm thinking cambelt & PCV system?????

[princepugh]

If I decide to get it fixed everything will have to come off and the head will need skimming........ so what other bits should I get done at the same time? I'm thinking cambelt & PCV system?????

If there's no evidence of service history on these items and you're planning to keep the car for a while then yes, definitely. Both could obviously save you another expensive outage.

[Jamest5r]

I think the seller must have seen me coming because after covering less than 1k my car overheated a couple of weeks ago and started spewing out water too..... I have Just found out that it is the head gasket on my car is shot.

The car is on something like 160k, so I guess that is fair wear and tear... although there were no signs of HG failure when I bought it (mayo in oil or white smoke other than a bit of condensation).

However what really shocked me was the price of doing the repairs.... £900 ish (same as I paid for the car btw)...... and that is with a local mechanic not a garage or main stealer.
Seems ££££ing expensive, are the T5 engines hard to work on? I know the dealer only gasket parts are a stupid price as well..... any after market stuff worth fitting?

If I decide to get it fixed everything will have to come off and the head will need skimming........ so what other bits should I get done at the same time? I'm thinking cambelt & PCV system?????

That is a hell of alot of money mate, you could get it done here in the midlands for about £500 all in. Shop around is all i can say.

Get the gasket kit from Rufe on here(main volvo dealer, but good discount) don't try any other part or you will doing the h/g again alot sooner!!!

[james]

hi there yes £500 is what ive been quoted and thats a family member doing it pffff

ive been told by a reputable volvo mechanic that the headgaskets on these 850's take a long time till they 'go' from when they first start slightly misfiring,ive no idea i'm a bodyman

i think t5 pete has done these maybe he can help he knows alot about volvo's

hope this helps and good luck

[tylerman]

Sometimes the radiator fails which causes the oil and water to mix giving the same symptoms as head gasket, so make sure it's the right diagnosis.
Good luck :-)

[Dangerous Dave]

Bloody hell, £900. Glad I was able to do mine by myself.

[Tomcat]

How much?...Jeeeezzzzzz you should defo speak to RUFE for parts prices, yiou won't get a better deal. Although I had one done by a garage a long time ago I think I'd definatley have a bash at doing one myself, they're not that complicated.

[Dangerous Dave]

I think I'd definatley have a bash at doing one myself, they're not that complicated.
LOL, I'm still recovering from the mental torture I went through when I did my headgasket.

[TenaciousC]

I think the seller must have seen me coming because after covering less than 1k my car overheated a couple of weeks ago and started spewing out water too..... I have Just found out that it is the head gasket on my car is shot.


I agree with tylerman. Check your diagnosis before making any rash decisions. I was convinced my HG was gone :

The two symptoms were emulsied oil (mayo) on the dipstick and boiling water in the expansion bottle

and it turned out to be a faulty cap on the expansion bottle and condensation in the oil caused by short journeys cold weather (a feature on these engines). Cost me £12 to fix. I was much relieved.

You can read my rantings for a laugh here http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19717

Cheers

C

[BigV]

I agree with tylerman. Check your diagnosis before making any rash decisions. I was convinced my HG was gone :

The two symptoms were emulsied oil (mayo) on the dipstick and boiling water in the expansion bottle

and it turned out to be a faulty cap on the expansion bottle and condensation in the oil caused by short journeys cold weather (a feature on these engines). Cost me £12 to fix. I was much relieved.

You can read my rantings for a laugh here http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19717

Cheers

C

It is 100% the headgasket according to the mechanic. The car overheated as well (temp gauge right up in the red, burning smell etc). by the time Imanaged to get it home it was spewing water out everywhere when the engine was run. I had noticed some power loss prior to the breakdown but I assumed that was due to getting used to the remap I had done....

I can't do the work myself unfortunately... I have no tools, no where to work and no mechanical skills :rolleyes2

Been quoted £200 for parts, 300 for head skimming/testing for cracks and the rest is labour I guess.

I would love to know where I can get it done for £500..... the other places we asked said 1k+.

[smithy]

I think the seller must have seen me coming because after covering less than 1k my car overheated a couple of weeks ago and started spewing out water too..... I have Just found out that it is the head gasket on my car is shot.

The car is on something like 160k, so I guess that is fair wear and tear... although there were no signs of HG failure when I bought it (mayo in oil or white smoke other than a bit of condensation).

However what really shocked me was the price of doing the repairs.... £900 ish (same as I paid for the car btw)...... and that is with a local mechanic not a garage or main stealer.

Seems ££££ing expensive, are the T5 engines hard to work on? I know the dealer only gasket parts are a stupid price as well..... any after market stuff worth fitting?

If I decide to get it fixed everything will have to come off and the head will need skimming........ so what other bits should I get done at the same time? I'm thinking cambelt & PCV system?????

where in the country are you from

[BigV]

Coventry (west midlands)


How much?...Jeeeezzzzzz you should defo speak to RUFE for parts prices, yiou won't get a better deal. Although I had one done by a garage a long time ago I think I'd definatley have a bash at doing one myself, they're not that complicated.

thanks... just emailed him, hopefully they can beat what I have been quoted so far.

problem is if the engine is going to bits I might as well have the belts & pcv etc changed at the same time, which adds to the cost.

[Chad]

We are based in birmingham, we could do the head for you if your struggling to find someone.

[Jamest5r]

If i were you mate i would get the parts from Rufe as you can't get them cheaper anywhere else, then go to Chad's garage he's only in Oldbury about 20 miles from you and Chad will look after you at a very decent price i would imagine