I'm looking at an 850 turbo wagon with 5sp manual. It's being auctioned off real cheap. The engine doesn't run however. Explanations are that it overheated badly. Owner says no compression on any of the cylinders.

What kind of damage can I expect internally? Would it just be a blown gasket and maybe rings (I'm guessing if all clyinders have no compression)? What else can get destroyed by over heating? I'm just trying to figure out worst case scenarios and maybe best case.

The car is going super cheap so even if the motor can't be fixed, the rest of the volvo is worth more than a couple hundred in parts. A motor around here isn't that expensive either. I'd like to fix it if its not a huge expensive undertaking but I'm trying to figure out what are the possibilities of damage.

Thanks

 

Probably a head gasket, but until you open it up, you won't know for sure. See if you can do a leak down test to see if any other seals are bad.

 

You might want to have a backup plan in place...as in another engine. Keep that in mind when the bidding starts.

This is my engine that blew a head gasket and sat for 6 days before I pulled the head. Water is wicked on exposed steel.

 

good point on the exposed steel. The engine hasn't run in quite a while but turns over freely apparently. I'm trying to see if today if possible.

 

No compression on ANY cylinders would have me looking for a broken timing belt!!!!

Bet you got bent valves in every cyl.

 

I'm already thinking replacement motor but I would like to pull it apart and see how it ticks. If part prices are reasonable, I would have a go at rebuilding it.

 

Very smart observation. Good call.