Volvo 960 Problem

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Mar 3, 2019 | 10:41 PM

volvonewb97

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Joined: Aug 2018

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Volvo 960 Problem

So...my brother (who officially owns the 960 I've been going on about) just pointed out to me that there was some smoke coming out of the back of the 960. I think something is very, very wrong with the car.

I've had this feeling that something's wrong with it for several months. I don't want to even drive it anymore, but because of the following factors:
1: I have to go to school and work seven days a week
2: I do have another car, but it's inoperable
3: I have no money to repair either car at the moment
4: Public transit in my area leaves a lot to be desired and is out of the question for when and where I work
5: My family does have other cars, but I'm not on their insurance

I don't have much of a choice.

What should I do about it? Thanks!

Mar 4, 2019 | 12:24 PM

va740twagon

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Joined: Apr 2005

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I would suggest you check a couple of things which could be indicators of a blown head gasket. Check the quality / condition of the oil on the dip stick. Is the oil just brown oil or is it foamy or milky or bubbly as if it has antifreeze mixed in with the oil? And check the condition of the antifreeze in the coolant recovery tank. Is it green antifreeze or does it have brown oil mixed in? And is the tank highly pressurized or not? Any of these would indicate a compromised head gasket. And if either of these conditions are met where oil and antifreeze mixed together, especially antifreeze in the oil, you really shouldn't drive it. My 960 had what turned out to be a blown head gasket and at first it was just a miss, oil and antifreeze were OK. Then it got to where one day it had antifreeze in the oil, which I knew immediately at that point that it had a compromised head gasket. I caught it quickly enough that it didn't seem to do any damage to the engine. Got it repaired and I've put about 15-20K miles on it since then and it's not using oil, no smoke, runs great in fact. I think these engines are pretty robust but if you keep driving with a blown head gasket, it won't be long for the graveyard. My 2 certs.

Last edited by va740twagon; Mar 4, 2019 at 01:38 PM.

Mar 4, 2019 | 07:57 PM

lev

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Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 4,540

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The only sign of trouble is possibly some smoke coming out the tail pipe, could be steam, could be slight or under some other condition.
The "factors" you mention have nothing to do with this car.
You should get the car checked out, sounds like you just don't like it for reasons unrelated to its condition.