Is there any sure fire way of telling whether or not you've got a cracked head as opposed to just a blown head gasket. I guess my real question is is that being an amature car mechanic is there anyway possible that I can remove the neccessary parts to get in there to see? I am 100 miles for the nearest volvo dealership and I would like to try and start fixing things on the car myself. I bought the car and managed to crack the plastic on the radiator and have always had an oil leak from where I can't seem to find. I believe it's the turbo line. I bought the car as a second car and am intrested in fixing it myself rather than paying for guess work and spending a whole lot of monies. I've done that every time. This time I'd like to try something else. White smoke emitting from tailpipe. idles badly and the will flood with gas and turn off If I try and move the car. Only overheated once and the this. I've always kept a good watch on the coolant but I am not sure what happend. Buy the manual? Have a freind supervise the process whom can actually do it himself but again I'd like to try it out myself. Have replaced some parts..compressor, timing belt with no problems just not sure about this one. Sorry so long, thanks for any help.


John Reid
Vovlo s60 t5 2.3 cyl turbo.

 

You can get a block test kit to check for exhaust gasses in the coolant bottle.
I have yet to see a cracked block from overheating.
But I have seen melted pistons from overheating.