Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Closed weekends7535 15th Ave NW, Ballard, Seattle
All Vovo, Quality Service RepairVolvo repair
Ballard · Seattle
(206) 789-0736Book service

Engine repair & rebuilds

Volvo engine repair & rebuilding in Seattle.

Engine work for all years and models of Volvo, from a stubborn oil leak to a full rebuild. It starts with finding out what's really wrong.

Open Mon–Fri, 9–52-year parts warrantyAll years & models
A green two-door Volvo 242 parked on 15th Ave NW outside All VovoA 242 that's still at it

Volvo engines have a reputation for going the distance, and plenty of the ones we see are well past 200,000 miles. When one starts smoking, knocking, leaking or running hot, it deserves a careful diagnosis before anyone talks about big repairs.

Sometimes the fix is a gasket or a seal. Sometimes the engine is worn and a rebuild is the right call. We do both, and we'll tell you which one you're looking at.

Engine work we do

  • Diagnosis firstCompression and leak-down tests, a code scan and a close look before we recommend anything.
  • Head gasketsOverheating, coolant loss and white smoke traced, then fixed properly.
  • Oil leaks & sealsValve cover gaskets, cam seals, rear main seals and oil pan gaskets.
  • Cylinder head & valve workValves, guides and stem seals when the top end is the problem.
  • Engine rebuildingA worn engine taken apart, measured and put back together with new bearings, rings, gaskets and seals.
  • Misfires & warning lightsRough running and check engine lights traced to the real cause.

Repair or rebuild? You get a straight answer

Not every tired engine needs a rebuild, and not every car is worth one. We tell you what we found, what your options are and what each one costs, so the decision is yours to make.

A bare four-cylinder engine block on a red engine stand in a workshop, its four cylinder bores freshly honed
A block ready for assembly

Know the signs

Signs your engine needs attention

Not sure it's worth a visit? Tell us what you're noticing and we'll tell you straight.

  • The check engine light is on or flashing
  • There's blue or white smoke from the exhaust
  • It's burning or leaking oil
  • You hear knocking or ticking that wasn't there before
  • The temperature gauge keeps climbing
  • It's lost power or runs rough

Reviews

Seattle Volvo owners say it best.

Read more reviews
"My Volvo was meant to be a "back-up car," when my other car was in the shop. The repaired Volvo is so enjoyable to drive that it's become my mainstay car. They are amazing!"
Barb K.

Good questions

Engine Repair & Rebuilds: what people ask us.

Do you rebuild Volvo engines?

Yes. We rebuild engines in classic and modern Volvos, and we'll tell you first whether a rebuild makes sense for your car.

My Volvo is using oil. Does it need a rebuild?

Not necessarily. Oil use can come from leaks, valve stem seals, the crankcase breather system or the turbo. We find the cause before recommending anything.

Is it worth rebuilding the engine in an older Volvo?

Often, yes. A solid 240 or a classic 1800 with a tired engine can have a lot of life left in it. It depends on the rest of the car, and we'll give you an honest read.

Book service

Let's get your Volvo in.

Tell us what's going on and we'll set a time. Engine Repair & Rebuilds for every Volvo, any year.