What are the reasons for Volvo burning engine oil?
2 Answers
Volvo burning engine oil is caused by: 1. Using engine oil of poor quality or viscosity grade that does not meet the requirements; 2. Excessive clearance between the piston rings and cylinder walls, improper installation of piston rings, or reduced sealing performance; 3. Excessive engine oil filling; 4. Turbocharger oil leakage. Taking the 2019 Volvo V40 as an example, its body structure is a five-door, five-seat hatchback, with body dimensions of: length 4370mm, width 1802mm, height 1439mm, wheelbase 2647mm, fuel tank capacity 62L, and curb weight 1472kg. The front suspension of the 2019 Volvo V40 is a MacPherson independent suspension, and the rear suspension is a multi-link independent suspension. It is equipped with a 1.5T turbocharged engine, with a maximum horsepower of 152PS, maximum power of 112kW, maximum torque of 250Nm, and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
A few days ago, my Volvo XC60 also started burning oil. After taking it to the repair shop, we found out the issue was with the piston ring design. Some Volvo models tend to accumulate carbon deposits in the ring grooves over time, causing the piston rings to stick and fail to properly scrape oil, allowing it to slip into the combustion chamber. Another common issue is the aging of valve stem seals. Rubber components tend to harden and crack after about seven or eight years, making them unable to effectively seal the oil. Turbocharged models require extra attention, as wear on the turbo shaft seals can directly leak oil into the exhaust pipe. These problems typically start to appear after around 100,000 kilometers, so it’s important to regularly check the oil dipstick during oil changes. In my opinion, if you notice blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipe, you should get it checked immediately, or the engine will eventually need a major overhaul. By the way, a clogged PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve can also worsen oil burning, so regular replacement of this component is crucial.
