I need recommendation from any one who may be able to help me. I recently bought a Volvo 340 F reg from ebay, it was a bargin and in mint condition seeing it had a years tax and MOT. Since having the car I have changed the break pads, disks, top hose and water pump.
The problem I am finding is that black gunk keeps appearing in the water expansion tank, it feels of an oil consitency but the oil level is not decreasing. During the last oil change we looked to see if any water had entered the oil but none was to be found, which is a good sign I hope.
The water pump has been changed and only good antifreeze is being used. Is there are possibilty that the head gaskett has gone, if so, would it be a major job to change or would it mean that the lower seals may be distrured.
I am not brilliant when it comes to the technical side but would appreciate any suggestions from anyone. I don't want to get rid of the car and really don't want to pay for a re-conditioned engine.
Please help.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Oliver Kinchin
Black Stuff in Expantion Tank!!
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Oliver Kinchin
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 16 Mar 2005 09:10 pm
- Location: Birmingham
Hi Oliver and welcome to V3M!
Sadly it is possible that the head gasket is going. You would have to get a fair bit in the expansion tank for the level to drop in the sump - so it may not be immediatly apparent from the oil level that the oil is going somewhere it shouldn`t.
I would keep an eye on it.
Are then any other symptoms such as pinhead air bubbles in the coolant or running a bit warm?.
I assume from your mention of lower seals that your 340 has the 1.4 engine - it is easy to change the head gasket on this as it is a simple pushrod design with no OHC and timing belt to worry about.
If you are careful and follow the procedure in the Haynes manual, you will not disturb the seals. It`s a while since I`ve done one but it was about £20 for a gasket set and about £40 to get the head skimmed.
You`ll need to budget for a torque wrench and a valve spring compressor if you don`t have these already - apart from these you just need a socket set. ( you could send the head for skimming with all the valve gear on it but you will be charged big bucks for it to be stripped and re- assembled)
Should be no need for a recon engine!!
Hope this helps
Will
Sadly it is possible that the head gasket is going. You would have to get a fair bit in the expansion tank for the level to drop in the sump - so it may not be immediatly apparent from the oil level that the oil is going somewhere it shouldn`t.
I would keep an eye on it.
Are then any other symptoms such as pinhead air bubbles in the coolant or running a bit warm?.
I assume from your mention of lower seals that your 340 has the 1.4 engine - it is easy to change the head gasket on this as it is a simple pushrod design with no OHC and timing belt to worry about.
If you are careful and follow the procedure in the Haynes manual, you will not disturb the seals. It`s a while since I`ve done one but it was about £20 for a gasket set and about £40 to get the head skimmed.
You`ll need to budget for a torque wrench and a valve spring compressor if you don`t have these already - apart from these you just need a socket set. ( you could send the head for skimming with all the valve gear on it but you will be charged big bucks for it to be stripped and re- assembled)
Should be no need for a recon engine!!
Hope this helps
Will