Found out today I've got a blown head gasket
Just did this about 18 months ago. At that time
had the head checked for flatness & cracks and they did a valve job at the time, too.
A good shop recommended by GSXR and others in town.

Been losing some coolant. No overnight pressure in overflow tank--thought it was
just a leak somewhere. Did a coolant pressure test and it held pressure.

Did a leakdown test- no bubbles or sound in coolant
but air leaking between cylinders Also, air is leaking out the turbo from all cylinders.
Air is leaking from #4 to #3 a lot. But the air doesn't leak from #3 to #4--

Bad head?

Frustrated Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

Is the Air leaking to the Exterior of the Head or leaking into the Cylinder?

I don't know all the details of the previous job so I might be suggestion something that you actually did or checked.

Was the surface of the Block checked to see if it was warped. And, was the Block surface in good shape and clean.

Were the Head Bolts reused?

Could the Coolant leaks be previous to the new Head Gasket issue?

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Air is definitely leaking into the cylinders on either side.

Checked for flatness & cracks when the valve job was done.

New head bolts, but as I was putting them in halfway through I
realized I forgot the washers!! So I pulled them out and put them back in
correctly. Maybe that's the cause of my problem?

Also, after the HG was put in, the car sat for a while before it was started
while I worked on other stuff.
Someone told me he likes to get the gasket in and start it the same day
and that makes a better seal?

Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

Here are the photos of the head before and after the last HG leak.

Inside Rooster's WVO head

Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

Did you wait at least ten minutes between torque step 2 and 3, and again between step 3 and 4 ?
This is critical to allow the "torque to yield" bolts elongation/set time.

FYI:
On the cylinder head I torque, paint mark, torque, paint mark, torque, paint mark, etc, every fastener, using a different color for each step.
1980 240D CRACKED cylinder head + cavitation damage
This eliminates concern from possible "under" or "over" torqued fasteners.

I hope I am wrong (deceived by a poor quality picture).
Looking at your picture, it appears the cylinder head face was sand blasted ?
Most sandblasting aggregate is too aggressive for the cylinder head, and will remove metal in uneven patterns from the sealing surface/mating surface = ruin the smooth even surface = cause leaks.

Here is a head and block face cleaned the IMO correct way.
1985 300TD head gasket repair


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__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Hunter,
Yes, I did last two 90* turns with the wait time.
I used a tip from another member and put a dot of fingernail polish on each
bolt at 12:00 before the last two torques. Helps to keep you at 90* and
helps keep you in correct tightening sequence.

Five months ago went on a long 800 mile road trip to Mt. Shasta & back
with no problems.

Jeff

__________________
1984 300SD 300,000 miles--two tank WVO setup
2.88 diff & 500SEL anti-squat rear end

I note that you did not answer about sandblasting the sealing surface/mating surface..

Unfortunately if the cylinder head face was sand blasted, premature gasket failure is a common result.

Most sandblasting aggregate is too aggressive for the cylinder head, and will remove metal in uneven patterns from the sealing surface/mating surface = ruin the smooth even surface = cause leaks.

Permissible roughness of parting surface
Lengthwise 0.08 mm
Crosswise 0.0 mm

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Here is more technical data on the topic.
cylinder head surface finish premature gasket failure:

http://www.aagaskets.com.au/PDF/AA004%20Distortion%20and%20Surface%20Finish.pdf

cylinder head surface finish is critical to gasket seal

http://www.engineaustralia.com.au/~engine/sites/default/files/SB024.pdf

Cylinder Head Resurfacing -Surface Finish & Gasket Sealing Theory : MA,CT,RI,VT,NH,ME,NY,NJ

http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/en-US/Technical/Documents/How%20To%20Prevent%20Head%20Gasket%20Failure%20-%20Improper%20Surface%20Finsh.pdf

http://aftermarket.federalmogul.com/en-US/Technical/Documents/Surface%20Flatness%20and%20Finish.pdf

http://www.reinz.com/pictures/39-00331-00_PI_5_MLS-ND-e-low.pdf

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Resurfacing Cylinder Heads & Blocks - Engine Builder Magazine

https://www.google.com/search?q=cylinder+head+surface+finish+gasket+failure&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a

.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/