1997 850 Volvo burning oil.

what you should do is a compression test first. You could have bad piston rings, or valve guides.

Also look at your anti-freeze if you have oil in it you have a blown head gasket.

sorry but it could be one of these or a cloged oil breather set up (PVC valve ?)

Hi "socraticquest",

1. What is your oil consumption? (Kilomtres/litre or Miles/Quart).
2. Is there a puff of blue smoke from the tailpipe when you start up after an overnight park?
3. Do you leave a trail of blue smoke as you drive down the road?
4. Is there oil dripping from below the engine compartment?
5. What is the mileage on this engine?

This info will be helpful in finding the cause of the oil consumption.

Are you sure its burning and not leaking it, how many miles on it, you see smoke? How much oil do you use in 1000 miles.

All cars consume some oil during operation and the rate gradually increases as the car acccumulates milage.

How do you know the car is burning too much oil.

How much oil is being lost.

Is the car leaking oil?

Look at the flame trap (Volvo-speak for PCV valve), it may be plugged. One good indicator if you're having flame trap problems is to remove the spark plug cover and see if there is oil on the top of the head near where the PCV hose attaches. The flame trap is located under the intake manifold on the frt of the motor. Do a dry/wet compression test.