Believe the dipstick or manual for correct oil level?

[vmaxmike]

Owners manual says 7.7 US quarts including filter replacement is the engine oil capacity (volume) for my 07 xc90 with 3.2 yet after an oil and filter change, the level is still slightly BELOW the L mark after adding 8 quarts! I've had this car for 7 years and could never figure this out. I end up adding maybe another half quart to bring level between the marks or total 9 quarts to F but always wondered #1: Why does manual not indicate proper amount or #2: Is the dip stick not the proper length? or #3: why does this engine need so much oil in the first place?

[SuperHerman]

Really tough call on how much to put in as too much could cause problems and too little could cause the same. No way to know what is the correct amount, other than the factory manual, other than to pull the pan and actually measure.

I have read about after market and related models using different length dip sticks. Maybe yours was changed at one point.

Oil both lubricates and cools. The more oil the better for these reasons, plus it breaks down faster if it has less oil.

I had an old VW bug which had a 3 quart capacity. It was an air cooled engine, meaning the oil had a huge cooling function. Down a quart was not good.

[jimmy57]

The european countries pushed 12000 mile oil change intervals at one time. If you go that long you dilute contaminants with more oil and make them less harmful.
That still sounds like more than I ever pour into a 3.2. I think 8 1/4 is all I have ever put in them. DOes the disptick show the same level is you turn 1/2 turn and try it that way? Regardless, it is probably fine to have almost 9 if it doesn't use oil with that much.

[Roger_850T]

I find the manuals are generally pretty spot-on, so this seems suspicious. I'd start by verifying it's the correct dipstick, (volvo p/n should be stamped on it,) then I'd inspect that the dipstick tube is properly seated and inserted all the way.

Roger

[vmaxmike]

I think I'm somewhere between 8 1/4 and 8 1/2 now and level is just about full. Sometimes the level will show higher on one side of the dipstick than on the other which is another oddity. I usually let the engine cool at least 10 min before checking level.

[pgill]

Mike,

This may help

This engine type is very sensitive to overfilling because it is hard to check the oil level
with the dipstick in an easy way. This is because the engine oil needs time to settle in
the oil sump and also because the dipstick can be turned around causing the indicated
level to be different. The car must be parked on level ground when measuring the oil.
The engine should be driven at normal operating temperature on the road (not idling) for
30 minutes. The engine must then be left for 15 minutes before noting the oil level.
It is also important to note that the dipstick changed in Model Year (MY) 2007 and MY
2011 vehicles. The different part numbers (P/N) for oil dipsticks have chassis breaks in
the VIDA parts catalog. Refer to the catalog to identify the correct P/N. For vehicles
with engine code 94 see page 3 concerning the dipstick. When refilling the engine
with oil its imperative that the correct fill amount be used.

http://australiancar.reviews/_pdfs/Volv ... 201204.pdf

Also the Anti Drain Valve in the bottom of the oil filter housing is a known failure point. (it failed on both of my 3.2's)

When the anti drain valve fails the oil pressure drops (when running) and the oil sump level increases when the engine is switched off.

Here is a write up I did about my Land Rover (with the Volvo 3.2 engine)

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic33006.html

Good Luck

Paul

[abscate]

A difference between 7,8,9 liters probably isn’t important. I’m guessing the pistons are cooled by oil jets and not splash , so The last liter of oil just sits in the sump

I run older, high mileage cars so I check oil levels at least monthly and weekly on the 30k a year heavy use T5

Anywhere between the marks on the dipstick is fine, no need to obsess about having it at Full, no benefit

[vmaxmike]

I just changed the oil and didn't notice any issue with that drain valve inside the housing but will pay closer attention next time now that i know those can fail. At 12 yrs old and 166k, it still runs good and very little to no oil consumption. This is great info, thanks

[abscate]

Im running non Euro spec synthetic in all the cars and Blackstone is telling me my oil is still like new at 7500 miles - the 15000 mile interval isnt crazy, many driving styles and engines in good shape can give oil life in this range.

The ONLY way to tell is by analysis, not anecdote from Uncle Joe, 'Looking at how black it is' or sludge levels. Test it if you want to know and not Guess.

[Roger_850T]

Did you ever confirm if you have the right dipstick? Looking in VIDA, I see there are 3 different dipsticks, depending on your chassis number. (Chassis number is the last 6 digits of your VIN...)

Dipstick 30788016 CH -418239

Dipstick 31251037 CH 418240-568000

Dipstick 31316562 CH 568001-

Hope this helps!

Roger