Folks,

I have a 1995 850 Turbo wagon with 186K miles. I recently noticed that I have been losing coolant and also that I have white foam on the dipstick, but not on the oil filler cap.

How do I go about determining if this is a head gasket or something else (radiator, water pump) ? I have read that 850 head gasket problems are fairly rare so I don't want to jump to conclusions.

Thanks,

Chuck

 

by "on the dipstick" you mean that the oil in the pan is frothy, or that you're just getting some residue on the top of the stick?

if the engine oil is contaminated you shouldn't drive it like that.

i've only been reading these forums for a couple months, the length of time i've had my 850, and it seems like there is a rash of headgasket problems lately. myself included. =/

 

If you don't drive the car much or do alot of short trips it might just be condensation building up on the dipstick.
Usually if the headgasket go bad the oil will look like chocolate milk.

 

I have same problem. Oil looks a little frothy at bottom of stick. My wife drives car only 3 miles each way to work. But I also have a radiator leak. New radiator is being installed today. I am going to change the oil tomorrow, so hope that is the problem, NOT a headgasket.

 

Check your coolant and see if there is oil in it. If there is any it will rise to the top of the overflow. If there is oil in your coolant your rad is bad.

 

Have your cooling system pressure-tested, preferably at a shop that specialises in Swedish/European makes.


JPN

 

Had the rad pressure tested and it leaked bad. Had it replaced, went to pick up the car and got about 1/10 mi from shop and it died. Would start right up, but not idle or drive. God only knows what now.

 

Have the trouble codes pulled. If '93-'95, you can do this by yourself, without any tool/tester. For '96-'97, have a visit to an auto parts shop such as AutoZone and request them to do the diagnosis via OBD-II. OBD-II is also available on '94 & '95 models, not sure about the '93 though.

Let us know if you want to know how to pull & clear codes; your car must be '93-'95. Also, there is a chance that the shop forgot to put back some electrical connections to the relays; there are a few relays on top of the radiator. Check their connections just in case.


JPN

 

OK got car back yesterday. They said they checked all wires and connections. And now it runs fine. My guess is they forgot to hook something up, or broke a vacuum line. Found the prob and fixed it. Chnaged oil and filter last night, so will now check and see if it still has coolant in oil. HOPE NOT!

 

It shouldn't.

For your future servicing ref:

https://volvoforums.com/m_48928/tm.htm

Following scheduled maintenance is the best way for preventive maintenance and saves money too.

Best holiday wishes to you,


JPN

 

While checking the oil, I noticed a choc. milky appearance to the oil. There's no white smoke coming from the tailpipe. The coolant level has not changed but noticed oil dipstick vapor. What do you think?

 

If you take alot of short trips then it might be normal in the colder weather.
Take a nice long trip and see if it gets better.

 

And when was the last time the PCV system was serviced?


JPN