XC90 3.2 Engine took 10 qts oil to fill. What is going on?

flyblackhills · Post by **flyblackhills** » 14 Dec 2015, 22:45

Ok, looking for some input here...You guys have helped me numerous times without knowing...this is my favorite forum to find the tricks to keeping my fleet running over the years.

I just purchased an 07 XC90 with a 3.2 engine this summer, with 120K on it, had a local oil change place do the first oil change, and it came back about a qt low. No sweat, I put in a qt of dino oil in to bring up to full on the stick and it didn't burn a drop for 7000mi.

The "time for regular service" message popped up recently , and I decided to make the switch to Amsoil like the rest of my vehicles. I read the manual, which stated oil capacity at 7.7 with filter. Not a problem. I put in 7.7(ish) and filter and started it, stopped it, let it sit 10-15 min. and it just barely registered on the dip stick. So, I finished putting in the rest of that 8'th qt. Brought the level up a little, but still far below the "window" on the stick. My thought was it may have the wrong dipstick or so other strange reason that 8 qt's wouldn't register in "the window" on the stick.

So 2 days later (today), my wife is driving home and get's a "Low Oil Level" warning.

So I inspect, and the level has not changed on the stick, still below the window - same spot as 2 days ago. Double checked the number on my stick against what IPD sells, and they sell the same one. So the stick is not the issue. So, I add another quart (#9). Run it, let it sit and it came up a bit, but still an "x" below "the window". So I added the 10th (!!!!) quart against my better judgement, and it is now about 1/2 an "X" above full according to the stick. Not alarmingly high, but I should probably drain a few ounces to get it in the window.

This is my first experience with the 3.2 engine, and this has me baffled. My google search found some guy that claimed it took 9 qts to fill...but that's it. SO, does anyone have any thoughts on these questions:

1) Why does 8 qts on a change with filter trigger the "low oil" warning?
2) Can the oil level sensor get out of position in the sump?
3) Has anyone ever needed 9+ qts to do a regular oil/filter change in a 3.2 engine?
4) Can this engine hide a quart or 2 of oil for some reason???

I've done multiple dozen of oil changes over the years on cars, truck and planes and never, ever put 2 extra qts of oil in an engine to bring it into "the window".

Thanks for any input you guys might have!

SUPERBRIK · Post by **SUPERBRIK** » 15 Dec 2015, 03:57

Maybe you have the wrong dipstick?

thebull · Post by **thebull** » 15 Dec 2015, 17:40

1) Why does 8 qts on a change with filter trigger the "low oil" warning?

There is something wrong with the sensor perhaps.

2) Can the oil level sensor get out of position in the sump?

Yes! absolutely. It is very easy procedure. The location is on the bottom of the sump. Drain the oil first of course.

3) Has anyone ever needed 9+ qts to do a regular oil/filter change in a 3.2 engine?

Never. I did three oil changes so far on my 3.2l and all it was taking is 7.8L - 7.9L (around 8.1qts) at the max.

4) Can this engine hide a quart or 2 of oil for some reason???

Perhaps half quart which will drain for few days or a week.

Wrong dip stick as SUPERBRIK said or none horizontal surface could trick you. Sensor maybe?
Greetings.

P.S. One thing is for sure - you have a lot of oil in the engine now.

flyblackhills · Post by **flyblackhills** » 15 Dec 2015, 18:22

Superbrik - That's what I thought, but that is the dipstick that IPD sells for this year/engine. Number on stick matches their listing. No Volvo shop within 6 hrs of here, so I have to trust what I can find on line.

TheBull - Thanks for thoughts on the sensor - saw it on the change, was a little seepage around it I noticed on the change. Nothing alarming.

The wife pulled it into the garage today the other direction today, and it's showing way overfull now... 2 or 3 "X" above full. front half of garage slopes slightly..but I've never seen that significant of a change.

So...I'll siphon a quart or 2 out tonight.

thebull · Post by **thebull** » 15 Dec 2015, 19:15

The wife pulled it into the garage today the other direction today, and it's showing way overfull now... 2 or 3 "X" above full. front half of garage slopes slightly..but I've never seen that significant of a change.

Volvo`s oil level is very sensitive even on slightly incline surface. My example is about my 1993 850. It was parked at my place with one rear wheel inside small pothole (2inch deep). There was some difference. Same thing with my xc90. Car body must be horizontal. I don`t know about the other cars but Volvos are very sensitive regarding the oil level and even surface.

Post by **oragex** » 16 Dec 2015, 17:23

I'm not sure if I gathered all the information, but if the oil was switched from mineral to synthetic then the engine will mostly surely start burning oil at an alarming rate. The oil filter - in my opinion - needs be replaced at short intervals such as 500 to 1000 miles a couples of times because it will clog with deposits removed by the synthetic oil. I did switch from mineral to synthetic and had to constantly keep an eye on the oil level for a good 5000 miles. Then the level became stable again.

Now, as mentioned, if your car has the oil level electronic sensor, make sure the sensor reading is good because many recent models had false readings - Audi, Bmw and so on - with these newly introduced switches.