Steam in exhaust '93 940T

Steam in exhaust '93 940TI'd bet money on the blown head gasket as well. Has the coolant level decreased?

A couple of uneducated guesses:

-blown head gasket

-blown turbo

There doesn't appear to be water in the engine oil or vise versa. No leaks in hoses.

What's causing this? Any guidance on possible causes would be greatly appreciated.

TIA, Felix

I have about 80k on a rebuilt B230FT engine (rebuilt by Volvo) in my 940T wagon. It's been running great. Suddenly, I lost power, engine temp. went way up and I began blowing huge clouds of steam out the exhaust, definitely not smoke.

A couple of uneducated guesses:

-blown head gasket -blown turbo

There doesn't appear to be water in the engine oil or vise versa. No leaks in hoses.

What's causing this? Any guidance on possible causes would be greatly appreciated.

TIA, Felix

Yes, coolant level went down. TONS of steam out the exhaust.

Thanks, Felix

Sorry mate it does sound like the head gasket :( Felix

I have about 80k on a rebuilt B230FT engine (rebuilt by Volvo) in my 940T wagon. It's been running great. Suddenly, I lost power, engine temp. went way up and I began blowing huge clouds of steam out the exhaust, definitely not smoke.

A couple of uneducated guesses:

-blown head gasket -blown turbo

There doesn't appear to be water in the engine oil or vise versa. No leaks in hoses.

What's causing this? Any guidance on possible causes would be greatly appreciated.

TIA, Felix

Blown head gasket for sure.

That's highly unlikely, there aren't any coolant seals, just oil seals. The coolant is in a jacket surrounding the oil cooled center housing.

A big thanks to all who helped me diagnose this problem!! I'll now get to work replacing the head gasket and hope there was no serious damage done from the overheating.

Regards, Felix

Well, the head came off. I didn't see any problem with the head gasket but when I showed it to the machine shop tech he saw the flaw right away. A very small spot around the cylinder ring on the gasket had given way. This was the #1 cylinder and the top of the piston had been washed clean by the incoming water.

You guys nailed it!

Many thanks again, Felix

It's amazing how clean that'll get it, I bet if you look at the cylinder wall and the combustion chamber on the head they'll all be squeaky clean.

Yep, looks like new. Washed clean by the water.

Head has been resurfaced and is now back on the block. Will fire it up tomorrow and hope for the best.

Thanks again.

Felix

Head is on and she runs like new! Took awhile to blow out all the water accumulated in the engine and exhaust (tons of white vapor) but after that the engine just purrs along. Lucky there was no (or minimal) engine damage.

Thanks again to all who helped with this diagnosis.

Felix