I've lurked for several years now, and I want to thank the posters on this and other forums for their expertise in helping keep my '98 S70 GLT going for the past nine years.

My dilemma is this: While I have really enjoyed my car, it recently developed a head gasket leak. It was losing coolant with no discernible leak, and threw an occasional misfire code. When I pulled the plugs I saw that the middle two were clean - consistent with steam in the cylinder.

I've seen the instructions with pictures online of how to change the gasket, and it is not a job for the part-time shade tree mechanic. My car has ~244,000 miles on it.

I ask you, the experts and fellow S70 afficianados, should I:

1. Sell the car whole to someone who has the experience and will to replace the gasket and whatever head work is necessary.

2. Turn it into an organ donor, that it may keep other S70s alive and well. it has many covet-able parts on it - Main window switch, door locks, SRS, computer bus and cards, one year old radiator...

3. Take a chance and try to do it myself. YOLO and whatnot. Gain valuable experience in the mysteries of double overhead cam timing. If it doesn't work, Option #2 is still viable.

Your opinions are welcome, and if advice is taken it shall be non-binding on the advisor.

Thank You

 

#3 As I noted on Matt's site.