1996 850 GLE typical oil usage

Graham Rollings · Post by **Graham Rollings** » 13 Mar 2007, 20:56

Hi Guys,
i own a 1996 850 wagon non-turbo with 173,000 klms on it and I'm noticing a slight bit of oil usage. I had the oil trap and hoses replaced not to long ago because I noticed a strange colour on the dipstick. The look of anti-freeze mixed with oil. The trap replacement has cured this but I wondering do these cars typically burn a slight bit of oil between changes? I usually use between 2 or 3 quarts per 5000 klms. I have a slight puff on start-up but no leaks on the laneway. What part of the motor usually causes oil consumption valvetrain or bottomend? Is the another type of oil I should be using. Now I use Valvoline Max Life 10w30.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Graham,

Trilarry · Post by **Trilarry** » 13 Mar 2007, 22:32

Hello Graham,
I have a 98 T5, I recently had a valve job done and notice oil residue in my exhaust manifold. It looked like it came from the valve seals. I had those change out along with the sleeves. I never had any type of smoke or leak, but I assure you I always have to add about a quart after about 700 to 1000 miles. This has been the case on every Volvo I have owned. I have a 242 turbo that does the same thing. I have not change my oil trap yet but I'm sure it will not help. When I had the head off everything looked good on the block. Cylinder walls seem to be in good shape. I'm thinking this is a Volvo thing. What do you guys say?
Tri

Post by **luketrash** » 13 Mar 2007, 22:54

I've always owned non turbo volvos, but typically none of them have ever really leaked or used a lot of oil. Maybe a quart every 3000 miles.

My 850 uses the most and used 1/2 quart over 1500 miles this last time.

the pcv system sucks up oil vapor and feeds it into the intake manifold to be burned with fuel. I think that is where a lot of it goes.. Moreso than blowby at the rings or leaking out of the pan.

Also, if you see oil anywhere on your engine, the first thing you should do is use a torx driver to remove the plastic decorative cover on top of the valvecover. My car was leaking oil out of the filler cap because that rubber gasket gets hard and brittle with age (for some crazy reason.. never happened with my old volvos.)

I replaced it with the FCP Groton one, and all of my oily engine parts have dried up. A 75 cent fix.

I guess you said IN your exhaust manifold, haha.. I read ON the first time.

I have not yet pulled my exhaust to see what's going on in there.