Hello Volvo S40 Group!

Help/advice needed!

I was driving my wife's S40 T5 a last week and the engine stopped on me. Due to a known (small) coolant leak and initial troubleshooting, it looks like I might have over-heated the engine (even though I was loosing coolant, inside temp gage indicated nominal operating temperature. I have since learned that the inside temp gage does not accurately reflect this).

Initial repair costs (labor, parts, machine shop work on the old head and other items) are at/around $1500 - $1700 and possibly more once the engine teardown starts. Engine has about +/- 112,000 miles on it. Could there be more hidden damage?

Would I be better off just buying a new (used, rebuilt, whatever) 'core' engine for around the same price? I am currently out of work (unemployed) so I will have to use my limited scarce funds carefully? I can't afford to pay for the repairs only to learn halfway through that more items will need attention. I just bought the car (pre-owed) last June so I can't walk away from it or part it out.

I live in Orange County (LA area), are there any reputable replacement Volvo engine providers out here?

Thanks in advance!

 

Can I ask where was the coolant leak?

 

coolant reservoir tank had a crack in in.

 

I take it after cooling off the engine will not run?

I'm guessing you have been told the head is warped and you need it machined flat again?

Overheating can do damage to other parts that rely on coolant to survive like the cylinder walls.