How much oil consumption is normal for an 850 (non-turbo)?

This is the first time that I have done an oil consumption test on our

850. There was a loss of about 0.5 quarts (maybe a little less than that) in 1100 miles. This was measured using the dipstick.

There's no oil in the driveway, and the engine compartment is quite clean, so the engine might be burning oil.

What is the normal rate of oil consumption be for a '97 850? As long as this consumption is not dramatically higher than that, I don't want to spend the money for replacing the valve seals right now.

Thanks, Beverly

Reply to
Bev A. Kupf
Loading thread data ...

How many miles on the engine? The 'normal' oil consumption for my '95

850T is zero--but it's a very low mileage car (
Reply to
Henry

Having done 150k in two 5 cylinders ( a 2l 20v and now a 2.5 10v) and servicing several custermers 5cylinder cars, I would say normal oil consumption over a 5-6000mile interval is none. (no discernable movement on the dipstick)

Tim..

Reply to
Tim (Remove NOSPAM.

Hello;

It's not easy to say: First of all: Which engine type (850 2.0 liters or a 2.5 liters, a 10 or

20 valve engine? Mileage? Second: In very hot or very cold climates the engine uses a "lot" of oil, sometimes as much as 1/2 liter every 2000 km's. You should use the oil suitable for your circumstances and driving habits. Third: Pulling heavy loads such as trailers, caravans etc uses up some oil. Fourth: City driving, long hauls through flat terrain, mountain driving, short drives.What kind of driver are you? Is your right foot very nervous? In general: Every Volvo uses some oil in some degree. It is a good sign because then the engine is lubricated. If the dipstick stays at the same level it is just because water and other fluids stay behind in the oilpan!

-Check for foam and residue: Open the filer cap and have a look. Let someone start the engine a look for a darkblueish "cloud". If it's there it should dissapear after a few seconds. Let the engine warm up. Rev the engine and check for blue smoke.

If that's not the case, change the oil for a high grade syntetic oil siutable for the car and your circumstances. You can also try mixing some additive in the oil (Slick 50) to reduce friction.

Gert

Reply to
gert

B5204S and B5252S engines, the first from 0 upto 110k when we sold it, the second at 50k, now at 70k. Both engines have 5k oil and filter changes during the car's time with us, using a leading quality G5/ SJ spec 10w-40 mineral (dino) oil.

Our climate doesnt really require different viscosity's of oil depending on the season.

How do you surmise this? Granted the engine may run hotter if its working harder, but using the correct grade in a healthy engine, certainly in the case of most Volvo units will not lead it to burn any appreciable amount of oil. Personnally I've not experiecned any increase in oil consumption (i.e. measurable on the stick) after certain extreme driving.

Varied and mixed. From short 2-3mile trips at low speed to the shops to extended high speed (100mph+) long distance cruising.

Depends who's driving. Both cars have had varied use from very gentle max mpg driving to being driven very hard- only when fully warmed up mind and with mechanical sympathy. Neither are shy of the red-line.

Foam residue is often caused by short low temperature runs.

Are you totally mad?!

Tim..

Reply to
Tim (Remove NOSPAM.

Both my 20-valve non-turbos, '93 850 with 180,000 miles and '95 with

115,000 miles never need any oil between 10,000 mile changes except when a seal was beginning to leak. The seals usually started leaking while still under warranty or soon thereafter. This must be normal, since the mechanics always found it immediately.

If it is the valve oil seals, it usually will issue a little cloud when you step on the gas after going down a steep grade. Some other seals go to internal areas so no drip does not mean that only valve seals leak.

Make sure that the difference was not because it was measured the second time when there was still oil in the valves and it hadn't drained down yet. The problem may be the drain path from the valves to the pan.

Reply to
Stephen Henning

Thank you all for your responses to my query. Some of you asked how many miles were on the engine -- about 93,000. Also the engine is the 20-valve engine (2.5L).

Here's the thing -- there's no unusual amount of blue smoke in the exhaust -- in fact, there's none that I can detect.

I tried this, with someone following behind. The gradient wasn't very steep, but he didn't notice any cloud of blue smoke (or anything unusual).

This now seems highly likely. Instead of waiting 20 minutes after turning the engine off to measure the oil level, if I wait about an hour, the level is back where it should be.

So, it maybe that there is a problem in the drain path from the valves to the pan. That doesn't sound good. Will flushing with a detergent- based oil clear the path?

Beverly

Reply to
Bev A. Kupf

You wont see any; if the catalyst is in good order and hot, it will burn the blue oil smoke the engine produces- so nothing will come out the back.....

Tim.

Reply to
Tim (Remove NOSPAM.

No, because all oil is detergent based and the problem still occurred. You might try some additives. I like Techron, but there may be some better ones. A mechanic may be able to open those orfices for very little money. Your oil may be too thick also. You may need to change oil and filter more often or use a lighter weight oil.

I am sure that the synthetic oil advocates will chime in, but I use factory recommended oil at factory recommended intervals and have no problems. It makes people feel better to throw money at potential problems though.

Reply to
Stephen Henning

Beg pardon?

Gert

Reply to
gert

I believe he was referring to the comment about Slick 50.

My opinion is the stuff is a waste of money, can possibly clog oil passages, and in that regard I concur with the comment, "Are you totally mad?!"

Reply to
Jim Carriere

Reply to
John Robertson

I have a 97 850 no turbo and in 3000 miles it uses less then a quart. At

3000 miles the oil is changed, usually at a quick lube place.

Perhaps the filters used are not Mann quality, but for 3000 mile change intervals I think they are fine...BTW I have 123,000 miles :)

Reply to
Steve n Holly

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.