Hi-


940 turbo wagon is overheating.

This morning car started up made a funny winding sound (husband thought it was turbo warming up since is was about freezing this morning). We had not been driving more than 10 to 15 minutes and the car starting overheating and smoking. We stopped to put more coolant in and it basically ran back out--still smokey (Gauge had been in the red about 5 minutes prior to putting fluid in tank) Now as soon as we turn it on the gauge spikes past the red zone. It stalled out and we were stuck on side of rode..let it cool then started it up and it shuddered some..white smoke..winding noise (I guess similar to when power steering fluid is almost gone) -- we did that just to make it back home.

Help anyone....please.
Jen

Sorry to hear about your predicament. And sorrier, to tell you that this is not good a sign at all...

By definition of use, the coolant should not have "had been in the red about 5 minutes" in the first place. This suggested a leak somewhere. You need to get the mechanic to check on the leak. Originally, it can be anywhere from just a faulty/worn hose to anything else in the engine block.

But I figured leaving it that way and running the car "about 5 minutes prior to putting fluid in tank" just made it worse. As confirmed by the "the gauge spikes past the red zone"...

Please have it looked at, by a Volvo mechanic to avoid any further damage to the engine. The good news is however, the 940 engine is quite tough and all, but well, it may have its own limitations...

Anyway, moved you into the right forum. Maybe someone here can tell differently...
:)

Thank you for getting me in the right place! :liebe011:

Is it possible to look at the thermostat or something you can do to tell if it's faulty?

Here is more information:

I also think the gasket (head gasket) needs to be replaced. I see alot oil residue under the engine.

I started the car (it took alot to start) and it did not spike to red....but then gradually began to creep up. I turned it off before it got too close to the red zone.

I checked the oil...no indication of water. (nothing beading up on the dip stick)

Still white smoke.


Thanks for ANY help.
Jen

Well, worn gaskets would easily be in the list to look at... coupled with the white (blueish, too??) smoke...

My bet is the head gasket is blown. Happened to me, no water on the dip stick, changed the thermostat and put fluid in the radiator and tried to start the car. The fluid came back out the radiator fill. The easy fix to try first is to replace the thermostat and fill the radiator , cross your fingers and see what happpens. The only difference in your story and mine was my check engine light came on, I was doing 70 mph at the time, I gave it gas to move around a car and headed for the break down lane, the car lost power and before I could pull over I heard a pop and looked in the rear view mirror to see a cloud of white smoke shoulder to shoulder two lanes wide and 30 to 40 ft high. Cars were making panic manuvers to get through it. The pop was the radiator hose blowing off taking the radiator nick with it.

Good luck....be sure you tell us what you find as your problem

Thanks-

Question: when you tried to start the car after doing all this...what happened? I mean- did the car start? Any hissing sounds?

That's my plan then..... I went by Advanced Auto Parts and ordered the thermostat and purchased the gasket for it. Bought some more 50/50 antifreeze so we will see tomorrow. The part should be in around 7:30 am.


Thanks and if anyone has more input. Im all ears....I would love to keep this car...but I have 3 kids. I won't be able to handle putting LOADS of $$ in it right now. I love my turbo wagon......hopefully we can save her.

Thanks
Jen

My car would not start, when it turned over the piston, where the gasket was breeched, pushed out antifreeze. It was rather obvious that damage was done. I didn't tear the motor down, so I can't tell you if any additional problems existed with the motor and turbo other than the head gasket. My solution was pull the motor and put a 5.0 Ford motor in it. I have never denied that I may be just a touch off plumb, it was my solution but it may not be for everybody.

Wedwagon