First time Volvo owner here!

Bought a 2-owner wagon with only 80k miles about 6 months ago and am really enjoying it. Only issue I’ve run in to is some valve rattle mainly at start up that lingers thru warm up. This just started right before I changed the oil. No codes, no check engine lights.

I changed the oil and filter at 86k about 2 weeks ago and it has remained. Now a couple of qualifiers:

1. I used the manual recommended weight of 10w30. The previous owner was meticulous about following schedule and factory recommendations. However, it turns out he was using Castrol and I’ve always used Pennsoil Platinum. I did use synthetic. Am checking to see if he used it or conventional.

2. The weather here has cooled down quite a bit to the low 30’s to the mid 50’s.

Could the brand/type of oil make that big of a difference and cause the noise? Synthetic vs Conventional the culprit?

Is this just a weather issue? Should I change to 5w30 while the weather is “cold” (at least it is to me!)?

Is there another issue I should be investigating?

Possibly use an in-engine cleaner like Seafoam in case there is some sludge?

Thanks all!
cbb

 

Its not about brand of oil, its about your choice of oil meeting the factory specifications per the owners manual. Per the manual, "Engine oil must meet the minimum ILSAC specification GF-3, API SL, and ACEA A1/ B1". All big name brands (Castrol, Pennsoil etc) meet these specs. When it comes to oil weight, the manual also shows recommendations by temperature range. Note that the correct weight for your car is 5W-30 for most climates. If you live where it regularly dips below 0F in the winter you'd move to a 0W-30 or 0W40. If you live where the summer temps regularly go 90F+, then you'd go to 5W40. IMHO, synthetic oil is preferred as they have less sulfer (ie turns into sulfuric acid and other compounts as the oil breaks down) and other impurities so the oil resists breakdown and will produce less sludge that can mess with parts like VVT gears. So bottom line is, do an oil change with the correct oil weight - its likely the 10-30 is too thick for keeping the lifters quiet.

 

Thanks, mt6127!

I went back to the manual and I have no idea where I saw 10w30. I will do a change back to the 5w30 this week. The dealership that serviced it used Castrol full synthetic, so with all things being equal, I’ll go back to that.

Will let you know if my noise quiets down with the change.

thanks again,
cbb