Time for new engine? Cost?
 

My car shop servicer is telling me that the reason the oil on my 850 T-5 keeps drying up is that the car needs a new engine. He found an engine for $1000 that has 100,000 miles on it. We just put a new water pump and timing belt on THIS engine. The total cost for replacing the engine came to $2800 (parts + labor).


My husband thinks that is very expensive.
Thoughts? We live in Richardson, Texas.
The car is paid off.

Here's the car's history :

Currently ejects white smoke and leaves drops of oil. Check engine light is on. Not sure how oil keeps burning off. Shop guy says "engine is no good....is old...".

Past 2 years -

Replaced 2 oil hoses, oil pan cap
Replaced manifold
Replaced fuel system - twice, once at Citigarage then my current shop
Window motor
Little parts around spark plugs
Sensors
Timing Belt & water pump

Woder whats the mileage on it? These engines are known to last for quite a while but the only week link I see on T5's is the turbo which starts to leak and blow the oil into the intake resulting in what you are experiencing.....white smoke and CEL light. So, with what ever info I have here from you, I would suggest to get it double checked for the condition of turbo and then go from there.
$2800 sounds to be on very high side asa compared to couple of hundered $ for gettting the turbo fixed.
Good luck!

The mileage is in excess of 200,000. The odometer has not worked for at least 3 years (got the car from my husband).

The master seal on the engine needs to be replaced/fixed.

* want to keep the car

** Just want to get 2nd opinion on problem & cost.

*** Need name of reliable shop in the DFW area that knows Volvos ***

I got mine rear Main Seal done for about 600$ including parts and labour - Just to give you an idea. The seal is only 30$ at volvo stealership.
For other problems you mentioned, just check the turbo and the PCV (positive Crancase vetilation) system and make sure its not clogged and you might be able to drive the same motor for few more years if not decades..

$1800 to swap out the engine sounds like a rip off to me. Sounds like about $1,000 too much in my opinion. Unless he is doing more than just swapping out the engine. See if he can get the engine for you for $1,000 and then find somebody else to swap it out. $1,000 for the engine with 100k on it sounds like a good price.

Thanks for the advice!

Do you live in Dallas/Ft Worth? I need the name of a reliable Volvo shop.

JimKW -

Just have to tell you - I LOVE your logo next to your name. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and we transplanted Pittsburghers go NUTS when the Steelers win a SuperBowl.

* Know a reliable shop here in Dallas/Ft Worth?

Wish I could help, but never been to that area. I grew up about 25 miles south of Pittsburgh in a small town called Belle Vernon. Left there in 1969, but still have family there. Never quit rooting for the Steelers though.