I have a 2011 Volvo C70, convertible with 87,000 miles. The car has been very well maintained. We blew the head gasket a few weeks ago. Car did not over heat. I had my mechanic look at it and he believes that a new head gasket and timing chain or belt may possibly be all that it needs. The engine spins over freely, but no compression. My dealership will not look at it even if I agree to pay up front and sign a hold harmless. My mechanic does not have the necessary specialized tools that are required to fix the car properly. The dealership told me to junk the car. I do understand that no-one can know what other issues may be present until they take look inside the engine. If someone was willing to speak to my mechanic, he could fill them in to what he has diagnosed. Any suggestions? I'm located in New Orleans. I know that this is a costly repair and the car may not be worth repairing, but I hate to just scrap it. Any suggestions on a mechanic in my area?

 

I doubt it's a blown head gasket. I don't think I've ever seen one cause no compression at all. If your timing belt jumped (usually because the serpentine belt shreds and gets sucked into the timing), that causes bent valves and no compression.

 

+1 on the timing belt. Usually a blown head gasket will mix oil/coolant or possible create a minor compression leak in the event of a rare blow out between cylinders. This sounds like your timing belt went and took out the exhaust valves. To repair that will require the head be removed and then serviced by a machine shop to make sure its not warped and to install/seat new valves. The only complexity is if there is any piston damage. That can be checked using an inspection cam (bore scope).

If I were to venture a guess as to repair costs, I'd expect about $3000 - $2000 labor and $1000 for parts/services to repair the head. If there is piston damage then that's a bigger complication depending on which pistons, whether the pistons can be replaced without removing the engine from the car etc. Not sure what the dealer saw to say junk the car - if the car is in good condition, its worth about 11K which is way more than the cost of repairing the valves or even swapping in a used engine.

Where in New Orleans are you located? Did you check out this link:

https://www.volvomechanics.com/near/new-orleans-la/

 

If you think the head gasket is compromised, look at the coolant to see if there's oil mixed in or look at the oil dipstick to see if coolant is mixed in. You would still get some compression even with a blown HG. Don’t scrap the car just find another mechanic. I love my 2011 c70.