Volvo Repair: 1995 Volvo 850 - Head gasket?, crank shaft, metal shavings

Question
QUESTION: Hi Roger,

I have a 1995 Volvo 850 with some issues.  In November of 2008, the car was leaking about 6 quarts of oil in 5 days.  The car was brought in to have the oil leaks diagnosed and it was determined that the valve cover seal, cam shaft seal, crank shaft seal and several o-rings were all bad, with the valve cover and cam shaft seals being the majority of the problem.  This shop actually ended up damaging my car somehow in the course of this and caused my check engine light to come on.   The car had run fine prior to being in the shop and had never had the check engine light on.  After several days, the car was repaired.  Initially, a diagnostic scan had revealed code 3-1-4 (Cam Shaft Sensor)  This part was ordered and replaced and was apparently not the issue.  The shop said it was the intake sensor.  This was replaced.  Through the course of this, I discovered about a dime size hole in the intake hose which was temporarily sealed with silicone.  Two days later, the car was brought to a different shop to repair the valve cover seal and cam shaft seal and it was determined the head gasket was about to go.  I was told it is due to the age of the head gasket (car has close to 180,000 on it) and that metal shavings are coming off.  Currently, the check engine light is on again, but I had a scan done and it's the intake sensor again, which is causing it to run a little rough. Aside from that issue, the car runs fine, however, when the oil is checked, you can see a frothy light brown color which i was told is moisture.  I am trying to get the car in to our local technical college as they do not charge labor.  The director over there has heard this as well and mentioned something about once the head gasket gets fixed, the valve cover can go and then you are looking at an engine rebuild.  Why would that be the case or what is meant by this?  Any info you can provide would be great!

Thanks!

ANSWER: The director needs to get his fact straight before making a bold comment on a car he has no idea on fixing.  Head gaskets do go bad and from the description you are giving me, sounds like it is starting to go.  The valve cover is sealed by a chemcial gasket so it doesnt "GO".  That is why people need to take their cars to Volvo Technicians.  All these clowns think they know what they are doing and they just basically mess customers cars up.  case in point, Joe's garage sealed something with silicone.  Typical Butcher shop behavior.  Personally, I would try to find a real Volvo shop and get their opinions.  Most shops will check the car out for free.  Roger

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Roger,

You are 100% correct; the seal was a hack job. I should have given you more information...  When the car was diagnosed with the head gasket, I stopped driving it and got another one.  I am just looking to get the car in a  position where I can sell it in good conscience.  I am planning on ordering the intake hose to replace that and had instructed the shop not to repair it at that time.  The seal was a temporary fix. I also agree with you about Volvo techs, but the closest one is over 100 miles away and I am concerned the car would not survive the trip. From what you have heard, if I have the technical college repair the head gasket, do you think I might have other issues such as the valve cover the director had mentioned, or would that likely happen down the line after many more miles were accumulated?  I know you can't be certain without looking at the car, but if the gasket is just starting to go, does it seem like after that was replaced it would be in decent mechanical shape?

I appreciate your help!

Answer
Elsa, I dont know what this director is talking about.  The valve cover doesnt go bad.  It is sealed by a chemical gasket.  Its up to you on fixing it and selling it or you can sell it as-is and disclose the problem.    You wont get as much for the car but its entirely up to you.  Put it this way, the technical college is a learning school.  Would you want a junior doctor operating on you or would you want the master to do it?  I would make the trip to a Volvo tech and drive slowly and watch the temperature.  Up to you though.  Roger