Hi,
Just had the 3rd manifold gasket fail on my 240.
This last one only lasted 3 weeks about 500 miles.
The dealer is now saying that the manifold must be warped.
Well, I suppose it could be. It all depends what is happening.
If your mechanic is over tightening the manifold nuts, then this could
cause the gasket to distort and fail. Also, if he is not cleaning the
old gasket off the mating surfaces thoroughly, then this can be a
problem.
If the manifold is warped, then you can probably have the face
re-surfaced - even lap it on a surface plate with emery cloth, for a
fraction of the cost of a new one.
So, what are the options?
How much is a replacement manifold, if this proves to be the problem?
Hard to tell with Volvo. Phone your nearest dealer, ask for 'Parts'
and ask them. Make sure you are sitting down at the time.
But a secondhand one from a breaker's yard would be a realistic
option. Prolly about 30 quid.
Could anything else cause this trouble?
How certain is it that the gasket has failed? Presumably you are
suffering the symptoms of an intake leak - typically uneven idle,
maybe a bit of hesitation, perhaps a whistle that is often higher and
louder at tickover. A common problem with these cars at this age is
leaking injector seals (if you are injected), which will cause similar
symptoms. There are other causes of an air leak, too.
--
TSH
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