Angela

I have a 1999 Volvo V70 cross country wagon, engine AWDASR (is that right?) that has been at the mechanics for over a month.
It all started with a heater core problem so i took it to the mechanics to get replaced. The next day when i picked up my car i noticed that all the inside was flooded with what seemed like coolant and the oil light when on right as I was leaving the mechanics shop. i turned back around and asked what was going on. The mechanic said that the car was over-heating (from driving it not even a mile?) and that the flooding was from the previous head gasket problem. He had me leave the car for further inspection and one month and 5 new parts later (new: water pump, spark plugs, some belt, other things that my lack of car knowledge doesn't help) my car is still not running.
His final diagnostic was that the head gasket was broken but that in order to get it fixed we would need to replace the entire engine. Really!!?
I don't know if I should believe him or is he just trying to get even more money out of me? I trust that its the head gasket because I was told to check if the oil was muddy looking and it is. But do i really need a whole new engine? I don't know much about cars (well nothing really) but i feel like i'm just being taken advantage of here.

BHart

Run away from that shop! That's a pile of BS he's feeding you.

Your coolant on the floor is probably from the heater area. If it did loose a lot of coolant in the past, and you didn't notice, it could have overheated and warped the head, requiring a head gasket. But you do seem to notice warning lights (make sure you check the source of your oil light being on now) so you would get a low coolant warning if it started to get low.

A head gasket is a major job but it's only the top 1/3 of your engine. No reason to change the whole motor. You need a second opinion from a legit shop with someone who can explain it clearly to you and justify the work required. Best of luck.

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73 1800ES, 80 Mini 1380, 04 Jeep Rubicon, 04 Jeep GC Overland

sulley007

I agree with Bhart, get another opinion and repair shop involved.