While was making an evening run up to Stevens Pass to do some night skiing, my '98 V70XC started giving me the flashing check engine light. Not long after, the RPMs started to drop, and I lost power. Thermostat didn't move from its regular position, fluids were fine, but something did not smell good.

She started back up, but couldn't make it more than about a hundred feet. This was about 2 miles from the Stevens base area...

Got her towed to a highly reputable Volvo shop in Seattle, and the lead mechanic called to tell me that "something unusual" happened in the engine. Complete loss of compression in 3 cylinders, 3 plugs oil-fouled, 2 plugs fuel fouled. Sounds like I'm gonna need a new motor.

Any ideas as to what could cause something like that? Warped head? Valve issues? I have no idea, so any thoughts would be appreciated.


Cheers!

 

Sounds to me like a head gasket blew. I could be wrong though, but if the car was mine and in my garage, thats where I would start. From there what happens would be all up to what I see going on in there. While I am at it , if it were time for a timing belt/waterpump etc. or close to service, I would replace those items....Pcv clogging is another issue on volvos I like to address anytime I am there, and I would also clean up the etm. I know the maintenance issues are not your problem but if you opt to do the job yourself with the money saved taking care of these issues at the same time will make your engine run like new for a long time.

Back on topic...It would be really hard for me to pin point your problem with out a good visual inspection on the internals of the engine.