Hello all! I have a 1992 Volvo 240 with 44K miles. Two fill-ups ago I started using non-ethanol fuel because it became available nearby and my car wasn't designed to use ethanol fuels. I thought it would help protect my classic. Halfway through the second tank I blew out my head gasket. Using a borescope I see that it failed between cylinders 1 and 2. The metal ring blew out between them. There was no loss of coolant so no overheating occurred. Was this just an unfortunate coincidence?
It's coincidence. There's no reason that gasoline lacking ethanol contamination would have anything to do with your head gasket failing. In fact as you note that's the fuel the car was designed for. You have to expect things fail on a car over 30 years old, even a Volvo 240.
Honestly yeah. I don't think that gas would make a difference like that. Maybe oil,but not gas. Granted a volvo is a pretty good car, but it a 92. Things get old and wear out
