What is "normal" oil consumption? Topic is solved

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 11 Apr 2018, 11:49

I think my 95 2.4L is burning oil faster than it should be. Maybe 1qt/1000 miles. I've never gotten an answer as to what the tolerance is before it's time for an overhaul. For example 1qt/1000 miles is acceptable oil consumption in a 350 chevy. Greater than that it's time for an overhaul.

What should I be looking for in this 2.4l engine?

Compression test?
Leak down test?

My exhaust is pretty clear, no blue puffs at startup like my old car. I'm wondering if my rings arent going.

Any thoughts are invited.

Post by **misha** » 11 Apr 2018, 12:12

Factory says that 1l/1000km is the upper limit of oil consumption.
Depends of oil viscosity.
These cars burns oil from factory....mine was burning 1l/10k km from new.

Post by **abscate** » 11 Apr 2018, 12:14

Another topic along the lines of " What is the true religion" and "Who put the hole in June's upholstrey?" that can only lead to the darkness of the internet...

Post by **Rattnalle** » 11 Apr 2018, 12:16

I'd say normal is at most a litre per service interval. And that's 15000 km. Mine didn't take that much at almost 350' km.

Those upper limits are just a liability thing. They're not normal.

Post by **June** » 11 Apr 2018, 12:37

abscate wrote: 11 Apr 2018, 12:14 Another topic along the lines of " What is the true religion" and "Who put the hole in June's upholstrey?" that can only lead to the darkness of the internet...

Mike put the hole in june's seat! June

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 11 Apr 2018, 13:40

What oil are you running? 1 qt/1000 miles is a bit high. If I were you, I'd try sometime like Mobil 1 10W-40 High Mileage and see if anything changes.

Post by **jimmy57** » 11 Apr 2018, 14:59

The crankcase vent system needing to be serviced can cause high consumption, especially if the drain passage in block to below oil level in pan is plugged. That keeps the condensed oil from vent box from going "home" and that oil then goes through the intake and is burned. I don't recall seeing an 850 smoke from that. Are the spark plugs very heavily deposited if you inspect them?

Post by **FLXC90** » 11 Apr 2018, 15:03

+1 to what Jimmy says.
Wet vs dry compression test ( for science!)
Run some ATP AT-205 through your oil to re-invigorate your valve stem seals (and many others).
replace oil cap seal.

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 11 Apr 2018, 15:05

abscate wrote: 11 Apr 2018, 12:14 Another topic along the lines of " What is the true religion" and "Who put the hole in June's upholstrey?" that can only lead to the darkness of the internet...

It's obviously volvoism, not volvology.

I knew this was a dark hole. But sometimes you gotta open it!

Thanks for the responses.

1L/1000km is an easy measurement to remember. Thanks Misha!

Post by **SuperHerman** » 11 Apr 2018, 17:15

Hocus Pocus. The car should not burn more than 1/2 quart every 3000 miles under normal conditions. The rest is just an excuse for something wrong. Every Volvo I have owned never burned more than 1/2 per oil change, one was at 190k miles. If the oil consumption is up then something is wrong or the engine is old and tired. At this point the question is what are you willing to accept.

My old BMW and Porsche at highway speeds a different story.