Driving my 2006 V70 wagon, stopped for a moment and heard a clicking sound . Headed for home and low coolant light came on. Tried to make it home (pouring rain) and car signaled to "pull to safe spot" . I did and it slowly died. Coolant now pours out in water pump area . Car turns over but does not fire. Sounds as if the water pump took out the timing belt and ruined engine. I guess my real question is ...Should I bother to even have it towed to a mechanic to verify that it's not just a water pump ? Opinions Please.

 

If the timing belt comes off it does not ruin the engine - 99% of the time a new set of valves is all that is needed. (plus belts, gaskets, etc) Granted that might cost up to $4000 retail - but at least the bottom half of the engine is reusable.

Sorry for your loss.

 

If you hve tools, moderate skills and the time, you should be able to check for internal damage on your own. Start by pulling off the timing belt cover and see if all looks intact and turn the crank by hand (with a breaker bar etc) to see if the belt is turning the cams (you may need to access the lower pulley via the trap door in the front right fender well - to do so remove the tire and the plastic door should fold back). Next you can pop out the spark plugs and do a compression test (vids on Youtube). You can also see if Autozone etc or a local parts shop loan out a compression gauge and possibly an inspection cam.