plan for in-car valve stem seals replacement

[precopster]

My 2000 V70 will require 2 litres (or quarts) over a 10,000km period which I'm more than happy with.

Jimmy57 suggests that one quart every 3, 000 miles is normal for a healthy whiteblock.

One quart every 1, 000 miles IS high usage and requires an enthusiasts care but if you're not the type to forget you won't be bothered except for the extra burden on the wallet. At your oil consumption level the blue smoke may not be visible yet. A leak down test would be advised.

Changing the seals is probably not too difficult with the rope trick to keep the valve up; most of my woes with using the slide bar type of valve spring compressor was that I had to clamp the head to a work surface and place a rag in the combustion chamber to stop the valve dropping. With the head clamped to the block it would be so much easier.

I always wanted to do the in car valve stem seal treatment to my wife's ex-car ('95 850 10 valve) which had ridiculous oil consumption and blue smoke at startup. Also take-off after idling in traffic would evoke a similar situation. It used about 2.5 litres every 1,000kms which almost resulted in a dry sump way too many times. Now that it's off the road I may consider it once more.

[whoa]

Just a note that a commenter reported that he found the rope trick a pain, and had better success with an air compressor (using a fitting that screws into the sparkplug hole). He also recommends having a second person help, especially at the spring-compressing/keeper-fitting stage.

Mark

[precopster]

Alwaus more than one way to skin a cat, however that thought evokes animal cruelty.

[cn90]

So, with oil consumption at 1 quart per 1000 miles, I am thinking re source of oil loss:

1. External Loss: no oil on driveway, the underneath of the car is clean.

2. PCV: Unlikely because I overhauled the entire system from a to z one year ago.
Dipstick: no smoke...

3. Turbo seal: At 165K, how likely is it to have leaking Turbo seal?
I see small amount of oil in the Turbo Air Pipe, but people here tell me this is normal...

4. Valve Stem Seals: I am trying to stay away from this job because I have no time (work, family, kids homework etc. etc. and that blah blah blah).

I am leaning toward #4 because this is what this forum says.

PS: According to the website below, 1qt/1000-1500 miles is OK. But if it goes to 1qt/500 miles, it needs attention:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/oil_consumption.htm


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Engine oil consumption is a problem nobody wants. Most new engines today use less than half a quart of oil in 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Some use almost no oil. But as the miles accumulate, wear and oil consumption naturally go up.

Using a quart of oil every 1,000 to 1,500 miles is not unusual for a high mileage engine. The amount of oil used is still acceptable, but by the time it reaches a quart of more in 500 miles it's using a LOT of oil. Blue smoke in the exhaust is a classic sign that an engine is burning too much oil.

Should you be concerned? It depends on your budget, the value of your vehicle, if you can afford to rebuild or replace the engine, and whether the oil consumption is causing other problems.

[misha]

A quart or liter of oil on every 1000 miles is in the upper limit and its's not OK.With that oil consumption you must have a blue smoke from the exhaust,but in the begining,only at start up and after a little more idling(valve stem seals symptom).

These cars burnt a quart/liter at 10-15k miles when they were new.I bought my 850 back in 2000 with 69k km and oil consumption was in those limits,depends on how you drive it.Now it use a quart/liter per 2000-3000k km and it needs a valve stem seals replacement.

[cn90]

I usually don't believe in "Snake Oil", but I just came across a BMW thread with similar issues (leaking valve seals with smoke in exhaust etc.). Almost identical problem to the Volvo.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/ ... m-fix.html


The poster in that BMW forum mentioned: ATP AT-205 Re-Seal Stops Leaks, 8 Ounce Bottle.
Then I read the amazon review, it is INTERESTING stuff!!!

https://www.amazon.com/ATP-AT-205-Re-Sea ... 000NVW1LM/

For those with leaking exhaust valves, can someone try this stuff and report back?

[erikv11]

LOL and why don't you try it since oil consumption is at the high end in your very own car???

JDS60R has been posting about that product for years right here at MVS, I have used it and it seems to be good stuff IMHO.

e.g.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=69838
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... p?p=359825
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=66936

there should be several older links, too.

[mecheng]

I agree, I also nominate CN90 to be the guinea pig, LOL I've also heard it works but may not be compatible with certain type of rubber, I can't remember which one.

At start up, when my car is parked on a slope a get a very small amount of blue smoke. Not when it is level though. If it gets worst, I may be the guinea pig. Car runs great so for now it is better to leave well enough alone.

[xHeart]

I agree, I also nominate CN90 to be the guinea pig, LOL I've also heard it works but may not be compatible with certain type of rubber, I can't remember which one.

At start up, when my car is parked on a slope a get a very small amount of blue smoke. Not when it is level though. If it gets worst, I may be the guinea pig. Car runs great so for now it is better to leave well enough alone.

Look, it looses all Pennzoil 5W30 between max and min between the oil change intervals -- 3000 miles.
So, if valve stem seal is the only fix, then I will join the team-of-pigs.

It runs growls great.. love that SPORT switch when on the newly constructed freeways and stretches. There is a 2-3 mile long bend/curve on I-55 called Veterans Parkway, take it next time.

[misha]

5w-30 is too thin for these cars.
Switch to 5w-40 and oil consumption will reduce for more than 50%.