My mom has a 1994 850 GLT wagon with a NA 5 cylinder with an Alu head. It overheated (it wasn't hot out...) and blew the head gasket I think. The mechanic says the head has to go out and be 'baked back into shape'. The engine has 140k on it. It has a recent timing belt and water pump AND a new heater core (I digress)..so can someone give me advice about this ? Is melting it back into shape something that can work out ok ? $1900 is an ok price for this (I think that may also cover valve damage which is unknown at this point)? I know the car is not even worth that, but my mom sure likes the car. Any tips would be helpful.
Thanks

 

Go count the number of cylinders again.
If you come back and say 4, then someone stole a cylinder

I've never heard of 'baking' a head. Not that that means much these days.
I have however heard of 'surface grinding'.
Depending on what country your in $1900 could either be realistic or a complete rip off.
90% will be labour.

 

>Is melting it back into shape something that can work out ok ?

Forget it. Walk away from whatever the shop you are dealing with.

I would find a used/rebuilt head; the cheapest would be the junk yard.

What was the cause of overheating? I am asking so that we can prevent your mom from burning the engine again.


JPN

 

sorry it is an aluminum 5 cyl, i forgot about that. so I was told since it is an ALu head it has to be baked to 'unwarp' it. That is 1900 USD. thanks

 

$1900 US ?!?!?!?!
Faaaaaark.
I smell ripoff in LARGE amounts.
I wouldnt pay $1900 here in Australia !

I'm with JPN, call around the wreckers and find a good head or have a look through the phone book for 'cylinder head repairers' and get a reconditioned one.
Might even find a wrecker/reconditioner that will do the whole head swap for you.
From what I've heard, once an alloy head warps, unless it is repaired properly, you will have problem after nightmare after problem until you swap it.

Edit,
Might even pay to call volvo and ask them if they do exchange heads, sometimes they are cheaper than is others.

Edit 2;
Heck for that sort of money you should be able to find another 850 for your Ma.
Then keep the old one, get a head, and do the repair yourself as a learning exercise.

 

That price is about right but most places will shave the head a little to straighten it.