Hi, I have a '96 850R that has 117,000 miles on it. The problem I'm having with the car is that it is going through oil too quickly. After I have gone 3,000 miles on the oil, I am down about 3 quarts. I was using 5w30 but switched to a thicker 20w50. I noticed when the oil got low that there was some bad smelling exhaust. Does anyone know why my car is going through so much oil? Thanks for your help.

 

You need to have a compression test done with a leak down test. That will tell you what the real problem is. In the mean time go back to 10w40 and add oil as often as you need to. My mom adds 1 quart every 500 miles. My limit would be 1 quart every 1,000 miles. when you are using more oil than gas I would really worry.

 

Yes, compression test would be in order..

Should be using 10-30w year round; could step it up to 10-40w in summer if you want but would not recommend in winter. Could hose up your lifters.

Assuming compression is OK i would update the pcv system and ck your turbo for wear.

 

For the most part do you park in the same place when you get home? Are you fairly sure it isn't leaking? If possible you can lay down a piece of cardboard to see if it's making it's spot.
If you pull the plugs and it's burning that much oil the plugs should show it.

A spark plug from an oil burning engine - YouTube

Reading Spark Plugs Burning Oil Photo 10

If the plugs show it's burning oil than a plugged PCV could be your problem. Next would most likely be the valve stem seals and valve guides. Lastly would be the rings but for so few miles it's way early for the valves and rings.

When you first start it up in the morning do you get any blue smoke at first for a few seconds (5-20) that goes away?

 

Yeah, My '97 GLT is burning oil like crazy to. I havent had it running long enough to get an amount though.

But at stop lights I can smell and see the blue smoke from my exhuast majorly.
I have good compression and good plugs last time I checked (not to long ago)
Any ideas?

 

PCV. When was that last replaced?

 

Washington state, 20-50 is a bit heavy for this time of year. If you're burning it the weight really won't make that much of a difference but it could drag the starter on a really cold day.

That PCV / oil separator under the intake is a very likely candidate for your problem (both of you).

If the car is fairly new to you the other thing is watch the oil and if it gets dirty quickly change it again even if it's only 1 or 2K. Get a 19.99 coupon at a they do it for you or catch one of the 12 to 24 dollar LOF sales at a parts store if you do it yourself. I cured some nasty lifter rattle just by doing two LOFs pretty much back to back on this 850. It was a surprise how it started knocking the day after I bought it !! Did an oil change and it ran better, started better but it rapidly started to get dirty. Changed it again and I've been without lifter so far (knock, lnock). Lack of fresh oil will gum this engine up quicker than anything if they've been neglected like my car. The other thing you can try is to toss in some engine cleaner like Seafoam or Gunk or .... in hopes if it is clogged up that might help clean it out.

Rspi, give um the warning

 

I park in the same spot everyday and have cardboard that is always under the car so I'm certain that it isn't leaking. I do have the same symptom as i.drive.a.jag has that my car has a bad smelling exhaust when at a stop sign or light. Thanks for the help everyone looks like I might be replacing my PCV soon.

 

Man, be careful with that SeaFoam stuff. I recently read where a guy put that stuff in his intake and got something stuck in one of his valves. Can't get it out.

Try a slower method like Lucas injector cleaner. They claim it clean valves, etc.. Likely a milder, slower process than that SeaFoam stuff.

However, you need to do that PCV system ASAP. If you have a EGR, make sure you take that thing out with the manifold and clean it up real good.

Go through this thread and do what you can to get your car to stage 0.
https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...uestions-9266/

 

That smell is likely burning oil on the exhaust.