We took our 2004 xc90 T6 (77,000 miles) on a 200 mile Summer vacation, and several days later the engine barely made one rotation on turning the key - I could hear the pistons moving slowly in the engine. Tried it twice more and the sound sped up a bit but no ignition. Local Volvo dealer got no codes, - charged the battery, replaced the spark plugs and couldn't start it either. They claim to have tried putting transmission fluid into the cylinders to lubricate it and that has not helped. They are thinking it might be one of the two head gaskets and estimate 26 hours of labor. Does this sound right? Any other ideas of what it could be?

Thank you.

 

No. There's only one head gasket so I have no idea what they are talking about. They should have done a compression test and cylinder leakage test before guessing a head gasket.

 

They did a compression test and got 120# / cylinder dry, and 180# per cylinder wet.

 

check fuel pressure.

 

That's kinda low, but if its low across all cylinders it isn't a head gasket. Head gaskets are not hard to diagnose and I don't think that's your problem. Cylinder leakage, fuel pressure, spark all need to be checked.

 

Thank you ES6T -- my usual mechanic changed the plugs and that didn't help. Fuel line? Could be, I don't know if they checked. They are not getting any codes for the computer.

One thing that may or may not be related is a slow coolant leak over the last 6 - 8 months. maybe 1 - 2cups lost over the course of a week's worth of driving. Nothing visible, no white smoke or any leaks on the ground. Nothing showing up on the tranny fluid dipstick, oil cap or dipstick either. Haven't actually tested the glycol for hydrocarbons.

I don't feel like I have any options except to have pay the $4300 for them do the head gasket because the car wont start.

 

You can take it elsewhere for another opinion. I very much doubt it has absolutely no codes, but even if so, they should be able to tell for sure if the head gasket is leaking.

 

Thanks again ES6T & DoubleBug. Anyone know of Volvo-specfic certifications for shops or mechanics that I might ask about prior to having the car towed for a third time?

Thanks.

 

A dealer tech should have no problem being sure about a head gasket diagnosis. If all they check codes, replace plugs and do a compression test, that is not a complete diagnosis. I would try to get more info on what they have done. I've seen plenty of head gaskets leak. I've never seen it cause a car to not start. Even with those compression numbers, it should start but may run poorly.