Major Exhaust smoke

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 05 Jan 2011, 12:25

I have a 2000 v70-XC with 131,000 miles on it. I bought it about 5 months ago with 25,000 miles on it. I live in Central California and drive it often up and down the coast. I had the opil changed in Nov. before taking a trip up north (about 800 miles round trip) When I got back to the valley my oil light went on, so I checked the oil and added almost 2 qts (5 30wt). Then this past weekend the light went on again, so i took it to the Jiffy Lube I got the oil change from and had them check plugs, etc. they said they could see nothing wrong, so they added more oil. Now i have this heavy smoke comming out of the exhaust. it is not black, but thick and grey.
Any suggestions???

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 05 Jan 2011, 14:25

You will need to find a mechanic that is familiar with Volvo engines, not a dealer. It is possible that you have a bad head gasket or a blown turbo. I am assuming there are no oil drips under your car and the antifreeze level in the overflow bottle is lower than what it should be. A mechanic can test the antifreeze for oil contaminates, same for antifreeze in the oil.

BTW, the oil light comes on when the oil pressure gets too low, not when the oil level gets low.

At 131K miles, it is also time to clean out the PCV system, specifically the PTC nipple in turbo engines.

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 05 Jan 2011, 17:06

+1

Check your engine compression and your PCV to see if it is dirty. Also, like was mentioned above, check the turbo out.

I did have the same issue on my 940 turbo seals went. Ended up just getting a rebuilt turbo and called it a day.

Post by **misha** » 05 Jan 2011, 17:43

Klausc wrote:...BTW, the oil light comes on when the oil pressure gets too low, not when the oil level gets low.

I disagree.

Do the math....No oil...no oil pressure.

It also can be that oil pump is going bad but that is very unusual on these cars.

Oh man....106k miles in 5 months?!

It's the car not the bus.(just kidding)

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 05 Jan 2011, 22:21

There is no oil level sensor on these cars, just a pressure sensor. When the oil level gets low enough to start doing damage, the oil pump starts sucking air and the pressure drops which causes the light to come on.

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 06 Jan 2011, 13:44

Thanks for the responses. My car is not a Turbo, so I know it is not that. i did have the compression checked and that is good. There is no oil leaks and yes the coolant has been abnormally low. I will have some one check the seals and hope it is that easy.
As far as the oil pump, would it make any noises if this is going out? It seems to still idle fine and it will run. So no noises from the engine.
And my mistake, I got it with 125,000 miles, So I actually have gone about 5,000 miles in it

I do drive a lot, but not cross country.
Thanks for the knowledge Volvo friends

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Jan 2011, 14:31

Gray / Blue smoke from the exhaust says that the engine is indeed burning oil. Since you indicated that the compression checked out OK about all that is left is valve seals but they normally don't leak as badly as you describe - it is typically limited to smoke on startup in the morning.

If the oil pump was going bad you would have a horrendous valve tick and the car might make it a couple of houses down the street before it destroyed the crankshaft bearings and/or the cylinders and pistons.

...Lee

Klausc · Post by **Klausc** » 06 Jan 2011, 14:48

Dolly wrote:My car is not a Turbo, so I know it is not that. yes the coolant has been abnormally low. I will have some one check the seals and hope it is that easy.
As far as the oil pump, would it make any noises if this is going out? It seems to still idle fine and it will run. So no noises from the engine.

All Cross Countrys are turbo, the light pressure type producing about 208 BHP. Have it checked at a good indy. Lets hope you haven't blown a head gasket which is considerably more expensive to repair.

Post by **JRL** » 06 Jan 2011, 14:58

193 HP not 208 and your XC IS a turbo.
Just bring it either to a Volvo mechanic or a Volvo dealer NOW and have the entire car PROPERLY checked out.
It could be one of the aforementioned issues or a combination ofseveral but at your miles there are many things to go wrong
(that DO go wrong,) especially if it was not fastidiosly maintained (most of which are NOT)!

Dolly · Post by **Dolly** » 07 Jan 2011, 12:40

Since posting this I have had more people tell me that it is a blown head gasket (ouch). The shop I originally took it to to look it over and who did the the compression check was a VW shop. Not that they would not have checked the compression thouroughly, however he was just doing me a favor(for free) and did say I had to take it to a Volvo mechanic to have the entire enine looked at. So I am thinking the worst and hoping for the best.

I did not realize that my car was a Turbo. that is good to know. I'm not sure how much it matters. Should I drive it differently? Does it need different oil? A Turbo is new to me.

I will be taking it in to my Volvo mechanic next and have not driven it since the toxic fumes about killed my kids and anyone near the car while driving. I will let you know what the final outcome is next week.
have a Grateful weekend everyone.