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XC 90 Oil dilution

A mid-size luxury crossover SUV, the Volvo XC90 made its debut in 2002 at the Detroit Motor Show. Recognized for its safety, practicality, and comfort, the XC90 is a popular vehicle around the world. The XC90 proved to be very popular, and very good for Volvo's sales numbers, since its introduction in model year 2003 (North America). P2 platform.
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phyrros1
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 February 2026
Year and Model: 2006 XC90
Location: Berlin

XC 90 Oil dilution

Post by phyrros1 »

Hello everyone,

Before getting to the issue, a quick note: I really love my XC90, which I bought new 20 years ago ( 312000km driven so far), and I’m trying to keep it running for as long as possible.

Last summer, for cost reasons, I replaced the swirl flap myself. It had already been replaced once at around 150,000 km at significant cost at a workshop.

During that job, I removed the injectors and sent them in to a Diesel injector specialist for testing. According to their report, all injectors were worn and had to be refurbished.

About 4–5 weeks after reinstalling the injectors, I got the warning message “Oil level too high.” The oil level on the dipstick was indeed above the maximum.

Before this, the engine had an oil consumption of just over 1 liter per 10,000 km, which I would consider very good given the km on the clock..

I initially suspected the injectors, as oil dilution due to leaking injectors is often discussed online. However, the injector service company told me that oil dilution is more likely caused by post-injection during DPF regeneration. Leaking injectors would usually cause rough running and fault codes, which are not present. They therefore ruled out injector issues.

I continued to monitor the situation and performed an oil change at 305,797 km as a precaution. About two months later, after roughly 3,500 km, the warning message appeared again.

There was also a lambda sensor fault stored, which I addressed (leaking intercooler, lambda sensor confirmed defective). Unfortunately, the oil level issue still remains.

The warning reappears after about 3,000–3,500 km each time.

I checked the state of the DPF and the injectors via Vida :
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pasted-from-clipboard.png (39.23 KiB) Viewed 411 times
According to Vida all values are within specs.
Does anyone have an idea what else could be causing this?

Cheers
Phyrros

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volvolugnut
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Year and Model: 2001 V70
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Post by volvolugnut »

Phyrros, Although you did not say it, I assume this is a diesel engine. Not many diesel models represented on MVS. I hope you get some answers.
Although I know little about this engine, some general thoughts. Get an oil sample analysis to determine what is adding to oil level. It might be coolant or fuel. If fuel dilution, maybe have your injectors tested again by a shop.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
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phyrros1
Posts: 2
Joined: 5 February 2026
Year and Model: 2006 XC90
Location: Berlin

Post by phyrros1 »

Thanks for coming back to be. I don't know why but I thought MVS is a British website but now I see it's US. Sorry , did not want to bother you with Diesel engine issues.. ;-))

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volvolugnut
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Post by volvolugnut »

You may still get a response from other countries on your diesel.
volvolugnut
The Fleet:
Volvo: 2001 V70 T5, 1986 244DL, 1983 245DL, 1975 245DL, 1959 PV544, multiple Volvo parts cars.
Mercedes: 2001 E320, 1973 280, 1974 280C, 1989 300E, 1988 300TE, 1979 300TD, parts cars.
2009 Smart Passion
Ford: 1977 F350, 1964 F150 (2), 1938 Tudor Sedan
Farmall tractors: 1956 400 Diesel, 1946 A
And others.

cn90
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Year and Model: 2004 V70 2.5T
Location: Omaha NE
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Post by cn90 »

Find a diesel heavy equipment place (servicing excavation machines, farm equipment) and send a sample of the oil for analysis.

Just loosen the drain bolt a bit just to get a sample.
Or if you have a long narrow tube, you can use a syringe to suck it out from the dipstick tube.

In the US, oil analysis costs ~ $20.
2004 V70 2.5T 100K+
2005 XC90 2.5T 110K+

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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

.
Diesels have high compression, use to own 3 VW diesels, 2 PU and 1 Rabbit 4 door. If the engine is worn you'll have some fuel go down the cylinder walls. If it's really bad you may experience "diesel run on or runaway". I would start with a heavier oil like 05W40 or 15W40 depending on your climate. Unless you have extremely cold weather you should be fine with a 15W40 as the engine is loose due to the higher miles.

The Swepco 306 15W40 was my go to oil for years then I switch to the 308 5W40 (now 310) when I encounter some cooler weather one year. These oils will build Tribofilm and reduce oil consumption as it did for a few of my cars. Even helped a friend's $80K Benz which had been parked for 4 years as it would no longer pass CA Emissions. The blowby was reduced after a couple hundred miles and the car passed.

The article below is about friction of the Tribofilm but that would obviously occur if the cylinder walls are now slightly thicker due to the film. I've found the mileage actually increases and car has more power. At their level of testing you'll find friction but in the real world it's negligible besides having problem solving results.

Zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) is a typical anti-wear additive that forms tribofilm on sliding surfaces and prevents adhesion wear but increases the friction force.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.10 ... 22-01635-x

https://swepcolube.com/products/swepco- ... ngine-oil/

https://swepcolube.com/products/swepco- ... ngine-oil/
https://lnengineering.com/swepco-308-pr ... -1-gallon/
.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

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