Hi all, great forum here. I'm new to Volvos but not cars. I picked up this 98 V70 XC with 200k miles cheap because it has a strange overheating problem. It only overheats when you are going over 45 mph or so.
The PO did a lot to the car. Timing belt, brakes, PCV stuff etc.
He said he just got tired of working on it when this started happening. It is completely normal, until you drive over 45. I did a compression test, and 4 cyl were about 175, and other was 160. Cyl #5 actually smelled like coolant when I pulled that plug, and it had what looked like dried coolant on the threads, as well as the washer being corroded.
He did remove the t-stat but only to take that out of the equation, i tested it and it does open.
From the things he did, and the plug/cyl that smelled like coolant, it seems to point to the head gasket right?

 

Hello, It sure does sound like a bad head gasket. I've read of a jig which is needed when removing the cams from the top of the head. I THINK it simply keeps the camshafts squarely seated so the bearing surfaces don't get marred but I don't know. I also read one post where a fellow said he just removed the head "normally". Check the transmission fluid in that '98. Kira

 

About to order the head gasket kit, anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

You can likely read the info in the 850 section which will guide you through the process. I picked up a S90 that had a broken water pump. The perpeller was snapped smooth off and lying in the motor.