volvo aq145a (no gasket) and oil sludge question

[doctnj]

Well my volvo overheated badly and it was "diagnosed" by a boat mechanic to have a cracked head with out pulling the head etc. This past weekend I tore the engine down and removed the head carefully to inspect what was left of the gasket. Only thing is I found NONE! both the head surface and the block was shiny. A slight residue around a couple ports but nothing else. There was evidence of moisture in the # 4 piston and valves but no other issues. It is a 79. Every other item that was taken off had a gasket or seal. Any one ever heard of this?

Also. When I pumped the oil out it was very thick and grey. How do I clean all the sludge out of the pan and engine with out pulling the engine to remove the pan?

 

[sqbtr]

Re: volvo aq145a (no gasket) and oil sludge question

Can you post some pics?

 

[doctnj]

Re: volvo aq145a (no gasket) and oil sludge question

Well, the head is at the machine shop being tested and the block is at the lake. To give a little better discription. Both surfaces were shiny as though they were still clean from the presence of a gasket but there wasnt one. All the other parts were "stuck" somewhat because of the old gasket and had to have a little pressure to break them free. The head on the other hand was basically just sitting on the block after the last bolt was removed. I carefully lifted it to inspect what might be left of the old gasket but found no trace of one. Its crazy. I had two other mechanic friends of mine right there when I pulled it off and no one could believe it. I had the boat for a year and it had been running fine until i blew a coolant hose and the engine got hot. It still ran fine just got water in the oil and continued to run hot. We will see what the machine shop says after the head is tested, milled, and put back together.

 

[fossill]

Re: volvo aq145a (no gasket) and oil sludge question

Thats hard to believe all right.