An hard period for me and my Volvo 240

Hi! If you remember, some days ago, I had a problem with the fuel pump and
the relay. I solved the problem: was the relay.
This mornig while I was checking the liquids (oil and water) I saw a leack
of water from the expansion tank. While the engine is turning from the
expansion tank up (there is a valve I think) water came out expecially at
high rpm. It's a clear sign of head gasket failure.
Now I never change this part and I'm searching for detailed istructions.....
Thank. Andrea

 

The diagnosis needs to be confirmed. The pressurized expansion tank makes
the behavior somewhat different than in most cars and head gasket failures
that aren't associated with serious overheating are rare in this engine.

Others may have a better idea, but I suggest starting with a cold engine and
adding coolant mixture to the expansion tank until the level is up to the
'cold' mark. Start the engine and rev it gently a couple times. If you see
bubbles and the level drops, bring the level back up; repeat as necessary.
At idle (before the engine starts warming up) place the palm of your hand
over the opening of the expansion tank. If you feel pressure steadily rising
over a period of five seconds or so - worse yet, pulsations - it is a bad
sign for the head gasket. Otherwise the head gasket is probably okay. Shops
can test the coolant for combustion gasses to positively confirm the
diagnosis either way, but this test has always been 100% accurate for me.

If the gasket is not bad, you still have a problem somewhere. My first
concern is the pressure cap, which is notorious for cracking around the
circumference. The caps are color coded for pressure, so if you replace it
be sure to get the right one.

Mike

 

Thank you very much for your answer.
Tomorrow morning (CET) I'll try to test the pressure with the hand...after a
prayer
At moment I'm going to prepair a list of items that I'll need for the gasket
failure. The cost (www.partsforvolvosonline.com) is not very high: about 150
euro for timing belt, water pump, expansion tank cap, head gasket set....but
I have few informations to do the head gasket substitution.
So I'm going to buy a repair manual on e-bay.
<I need it because I don't know for example, how to block the crankshaft and
so on.

 

Final diagnosis: Head gasket failure

 

D'oh!

 

You might want to check out www.fcpgroton.com

I order my 240 parts from there. Fast shipping and cheap. Got a new
overdrive solenoid for 95 bucks.

 

You might want to check out www.fcpgroton.com

I order my 240 parts from there. Fast shipping and cheap. Got a new
overdrive solenoid for 95 bucks.