Have a 2006 V70 2.5T 126,000 miles perfectly maintained, oil changes frequent and consistent (50/50 oil) shocked to learn head gasket is gone. Check engine light came on and oil is not just oil.

Seems to me something must have lead up to this situation. I had complained to repairer that I felt car was too hot, but temperature gage never verified this belief, all appeared well.

Any similar experiences?

 

did you ever have it overheat / lose coolant etc?

 

No not to my knowledge
Temp gauge always normal, coolant always seemed fine
But I thought it was running too hot by feel

 

It is very rare that coolant gets into the oil in a Volvo engine. The oil passageways are just too far away from the coolant passages in the head gasket area. For a head gasket to be a problem - the most common cause is overheating. Overheating is always caused by a part failure - radiator, hose, coolant bottle, or a slow leak with an inoperative low coolant warning. The first symptoms of head gasket damage is usually compression gasses getting into the cooling system causing overheating or coolant loss.

Exactly what code caused the check engine light on come on? What do you think is in your oil?

 

I don't know what's in the oil, looked brown or rusty
Car not yet at mechanic
Your list of coolant parts seems a good place to begin
thank you

 

If you pulled the dipstick and it "looked brown or rusty" I'd bet this car takes many short trips and may be infrequently used. Rather than is driven at least 30 minutes every time the car is used.

That brown/rusty stuff is normal condensation/rust on the dipstick common with short trip cars. . If the car is driven longer - the oil/engine temp boils off the moisture.

 

You are right!! head gasket fine. Its the mass air meter
realize drive time short, although car does get to full temperature
only 126,000 miles - looks like new