I'm investigating the likely cost of a major repair. This car (1994 940 turbo) has a warped head and a bad heater core. It starts but overheats within a block or two of driving. What would one expect to be the total cost for parts and the number of hours of labor by a very expert independent Volvo mechanic. I really have no idea. Thanks.

 

if the head is warped, your best bet is to find another head off a turbo 740/940. installing the head with a new gasket is about a $1000 job at most shops around here, but shop labor here is $100/hour.

heater core is ugly, that requires tearring the whole dashboard apart, many hours of tinkering. my son managed to do it in a 3 day weekend on a 960 (slightly different).

 

The heater core replacement to our 740 cost $1000 and took a few days but I don't know the actual hours. After looking at the job I did not want to do it. As for the head how do you know it is warped if you did not remove it. It could just be a blown head gasket.

 

Replacing the heater core isn't as bad as it looks. Took me a good day to pull apart my dash, remove, and install the new heater core with basic hand tools, good lighting, and a flexible attachment for my screwdriver. When I tackled the job, it really wasn't as bad as the internet made it out to be! I had to get the airbox pulled apart later on, and I managed to remove and install everything in under half a day. It was one of the more satisfying jobs I've done on my car.

By the way, how do you know your car has a warped head? Could it simply be a bad thermostat that's causing your car to overheat? A warped head would indicate coolant disappearing very quickly, and/or coolant contaminated with oil.

 

Also don't forget coolant in oil - no wonder I had almost 6 qts. of oil in last change. Seriously though - this heater core replacement - has anyone in the forum taken any pics that would be helpful? Looks like a three day job as long as I don't break anything else.
Older plastic is not as forgiving as new - doesn't help being outside in mid-to-lower 30's.
Has anyone ever taken fuel pump apart -Regina system I think - tank has the only pump in it. what is difference between Bosch and Regina single pump systems? Also glad the New Zealand chap wrote about the relay being front and second in and 5 prong. This unit has an open spot where the big white one should be. Also if a bang on the gas tank gets the car running does this mean bad pump? Already replaced bad relay. Thanks for input.

 

Another question - the back brakes - how hard is the rear brake rotor/drum to adjust. I know the caliper is a split caliper but do not know about the drum part - parking/emer. brake. Again any input appreciated. Kind of like to know time frame - hate drum brakes.
Thanks,
Tom

 

cant say I've ever adjusted the drums for the parking brakes on any of my 240/740/940s. the parking brakes work a LOT better if you go backwards 5 mph or so and use the parking brake to stop, repeat this 2-3 times.