Sudden loss of power and all engine oil
Hi guys,
First post here and this is our first (last?) volvo.
We bought a used 09 C30 T5 about 15 months ago, 105k miles. Drove great. As the pandemic draws down we finally got the mildly overdue timing belt, water pump service (oil change, coolant change, oil pump clean and reseat) about 1000 miles ago. No immediate problems.
But 2 nights ago, after parking the car for 4 days at the airport, I was driving on the freeway at 65 mph in 6th gear, I suddenly started losing power. The following happened very fast (30-45 seconds max but maybe less).
6th gear on the freeway, suddenly need to downshift (WHY in that go-cart)., Need to downshift again. Check engine light flashes then oil light flashes and then all the dash lights, I turn the engine off immediately. I'm not sure when/if I pushed the clutch in or shifted to neutral. Right before or after I turned the engine off. We then coasted a long ways. When I pulled over, at that point we got a lot of white smoke off the engine. Did not smell like coolant. Top of engine had a lot of oil on it, back bumper glistened with oil, oil on the freeway. Dipstick is dry. I did not notice an overheating (certainly no warning light). I did not get any terrible noise from the car.
I flipped the engine off because years ago I lost a Toyota engine applying power after the oil sender clogged. I don't know (doubtful?) if I turned it off in time but I didn't hear the bang bang of a broken rod.
I'm looking for advice as follows:
- Best guesses about what happened?
- Thoughts on whether it is repairable. I don't think we'll have a professional engine replacement and I don't think I'll do it myself.
- Diagnostic steps to take?
- Is the service to cooling and lubrication and timing 1000 miles before coincidence or should I be suspicious of mechanic malpractice?
First post here and this is our first (last?) volvo.
We bought a used 09 C30 T5 about 15 months ago, 105k miles. Drove great. As the pandemic draws down we finally got the mildly overdue timing belt, water pump service (oil change, coolant change, oil pump clean and reseat) about 1000 miles ago. No immediate problems.
But 2 nights ago, after parking the car for 4 days at the airport, I was driving on the freeway at 65 mph in 6th gear, I suddenly started losing power. The following happened very fast (30-45 seconds max but maybe less).
6th gear on the freeway, suddenly need to downshift (WHY in that go-cart)., Need to downshift again. Check engine light flashes then oil light flashes and then all the dash lights, I turn the engine off immediately. I'm not sure when/if I pushed the clutch in or shifted to neutral. Right before or after I turned the engine off. We then coasted a long ways. When I pulled over, at that point we got a lot of white smoke off the engine. Did not smell like coolant. Top of engine had a lot of oil on it, back bumper glistened with oil, oil on the freeway. Dipstick is dry. I did not notice an overheating (certainly no warning light). I did not get any terrible noise from the car.
I flipped the engine off because years ago I lost a Toyota engine applying power after the oil sender clogged. I don't know (doubtful?) if I turned it off in time but I didn't hear the bang bang of a broken rod.
I'm looking for advice as follows:
- Best guesses about what happened?
- Thoughts on whether it is repairable. I don't think we'll have a professional engine replacement and I don't think I'll do it myself.
- Diagnostic steps to take?
- Is the service to cooling and lubrication and timing 1000 miles before coincidence or should I be suspicious of mechanic malpractice?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
2007XC70
General Volvo Chat
3
Dec 4, 2014 04:06 AM
hood1227
Volvo S70
28
Mar 29, 2014 11:49 PM




