Speedy Auto > Auto FAQ > Cars > Volvo

Volvo: vovlo 740 Gl overheating, blown head gasket, combustion gases


Question
Okay I was driving and my car started overheating. when i popped the hood i noticed that the car was draining water from the hose connected to the heater control valve which had broken. I tried to bypass the hose but now water squirts out of coolant reservoir wheni start the car. Now when I start the car its starts overheating in about five min is there away to stop the overheating?

Answer
Demavis,
If it is overheating so quickly and is pushing out coolant from the coolant bottle cap that would indicate too much pressure and heat from a possible blown head gasket, crack in the head. That pressure possibility blew out the heater valve.
There is a test that will tell if there are combustion gases in the cooling system. That would be the first step. A good Volvo shop will know how to inspect and test the cooling system.
One test uses a chemical that turns color when exhaust gas is present, another is using a H/C C/O machine to test for hydrocarbons.
If the test shows exhaust in the cooling system the head will need to be removed and inspected.