Question for Oil Experts

[TheWagles]

Changed oil today. Went with 5W30 Synthetic blend. Will run for 500-1000 then change again to a high mileage oil. I've noticed some spots underneath the car since buying it. Today I finally looked underneath it. There were three to four drops along the bottom of the oil pan. Is that the pan gasket or something toward the top of the engine. I am a Volvo rookie so bare with me.

[MoVolvos]

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If it is from the front (as in the Intake Manifold) it could be the PCV hoses. 10W40 is more suitable for this time of year in most parts of the U.S. as Turbo's run hotter than NA. Some people think that flow rate is critical but that is only when it is really cold. Take a look at the Guide.

American Petroleum Institute
http://www.apicj-4.org/2009_ENGINE_OIL_GUIDE.pdf

Blessings,
BKM
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[TheWagles]

The droplets were on the rear of the pan I think. Additionally, my check engine light is on, although it was smogged before I bought it? Also, the service light comes on for a few minutes when I first start it up.

[jblackburn]

Oil on the back of the pan - have a look at the turbocharger oil drain. There's a gasket that commonly begins to leak.

Check engine light - read the codes.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/read-codes-volvo-850

Service light - normal. Your car wants an oil change. Reset it on an 850 by:
Reset service light volvo

[TheWagles]

Is the turbocharger oil drain something I can see from the top or underneath the car?

[Jono51]

The 3k change interval is left over from the 1950's when it was necessary. But oils and engines have improved dramatically since then. It used to be that an engine with 100,000 miles on it was worn out, but today that's nothing. Harder materials, tighter tolerances, better alloys, better design, and better oils have made engines the most durable part of cars. When was the last time you actually saw a modern engine that was worn out when it had even minimal care? Today the rest of the car is what limits the car's life, not the engine.

Slavishness to 3k oil changes today is not necessary, in my opinion.. Spending even MORE money on better oil than Mobil 1 with such short change intervals is borderline obsessive compulsive. Again, just my opinion, do what you want - but you could run any old dino oil in your engine with 3k oil changes.

I agree entirely with the above. My practice with all cars I have owned since 1990 is to change the oil annually, irrespective of mileage, and to use an oil that meets the manufacturer's specification, but no more. I only buy cars that have plenty of mileage on them, but even so I have never had an engine fail due to wear in that time.

[jblackburn]

Is the turbocharger oil drain something I can see from the top or underneath the car?

Underneath - it drains into the back of the oil pan. Just have a look at that or the turbo itself (many can be coated in oil). I'm not ruling out the oil pan gasket, but that is quite uncommon.

[TheWagles]

I know this thread is specific to oil however, with all the information would it be a good investment to purchase a Chiltons manual? The local O'Reilly's has one for $27.

[MoVolvos]

I know this thread is specific to oil however, with all the information would it be a good investment to purchase a Chiltons manual? The local O'Reilly's has one for $27.

After doing some research I purchased neither the Haynes nor Chilton. I looked over the Chilton's at O'Reilly's as there are open ones and did not think they were that detailed. I think the information on this site were more helpful though you may have to search sometimes. I remember reading Haynes was better than Chilton.

http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/207

Blessings,
BKM
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[jblackburn]

MVS for the win!!!