Question for the SVM - V50 drinking oil.

[saucedoctor]

As per the title. My not-often-driven 2005 Volvo V50 1.8 has used a litre of oil since I changed it in July. Probably only done 800 miles since then. 65k miles total. It's not smoky, and it's not obviously leaking anywhere.

 

I'm led to believe that the engine is basically a Duratec HE unit. Is the oil consumption issue something to be worried about, or do they all do that sir?

 

 

Cheers all.

[skattrd]

I'd be surprised if the SVM can advise on this one. V50 seems a tad modern and sounds like the engine isn't actually a proper Volvo one.

[dieselassist]

My sister had an s40 1.8 - think it was 2002; which had the same problem - very high oil consumption; she lives about 80miles away from here, n we were swoppin cars about for NCT/test or something - anyhow, I had it for a week n was shocked by how much oil it consumed - it was impossible to keep oil in it for any length of time... hers had a very 'oil wet engine' - it looked like it was finding its way out at the rearmost end of the engine - cam area - above the gearbox - the webbing casing of the gearbox was wet with puddles of oil...

I told her bout it n she said shed long since stopped even being bothered to top it up - it still seemed to go on regardless; she had a 07 avensis by that stage n just wanted to punt on the Volvo - a headlamp cost her €180 for the test; some 'eastern eurpoeans' bought it for €1200 after being hugely impressed with the leather interior n heated seats!!!

[saucedoctor]

Cheers, Dieselassist. I'll just keep an eye on it, especially round the back of the engine.

[Spiny Norman]

Take it out and swap it for a B20.

[saucedoctor]

Take it out and swap it for a B20.

 

I happen to have a rebuilt 1.8 K Series engine and 'box. Hmmm..

[rml2345]

Mr. Skattrd is indeed right, it's a bit new for us as we've only just discovered those new fangled white block cars. If it's anything like the Volvos of old however, it'll have excellent oil control but leak it like a bastarding sieve. 
In saying that, mine was using a fair bit and then stopped. I'm not sure why.