My 99 S70 Turbo is using oil (about 2 qts between changes) and has a good size "burst" of blue smoke when started after sitting for a short while. I've checked with two dealers and gotten different "opinions" from each. Dealer 1 says they feel it is worn value guides while dealer 2 says they feel the problem is caused by the turbo leaking oil. Dealer 2 removed the turbo tube and pointed out what he said was excessive oil in the tube. Dealer 1 says the oil is "leaking" into the chambers due to worn value guides causing the blue smoke after sitting and the excessive consumption. Of course neither will say for certain so I have a 50/50 chance. The S70 has 160k miles.

Anyone have any thoughts on how to nail this down a little better.

Wade,

my S70 is doing the same thing and i do not have a turbo. i have heard that it is the valve guides but i don't anything about fixing that.

wayne

I think I know the answer but you don't have an indy Volvo shop around, do you?

The reason I ask is that the standards that I'd use to maintain a new car under warranty where Volvo NA is paying the bill aren't the same as the ones I'd use for a car with 160,000 miles on the clock where I'm footing the bill, and I don't think most dealer techs understand the difference.

I'd probably first upgrade to a larger turbo and if that didn't also solve the problem go for the valve guides, and if that didn't solve the problem consider the possibility of a broken piston ring and replacing the motor with a used unit. In my case the Volvo is a hobby, but from an economic perspective it would probably make the most sense to start looking at Toyotas.

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 167k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, XC grill, Lidatek LE30, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

you dont say what 'between changes' equates too or your typical driving pattern, or if its a low or high presure turbo....

my advice (having fought a similar problem on a turbo brick) is to SELL - i recieved similar advice, replaced the turbo and made no diffecnce, the car compresison tested fine etc etc...several $1000 later and i hade exactly the same oil use i did to start...sold the car would have been better to do so straight away.....

BTW tradidtionally if it only smokes on startup and then it goes away its a clasic sign of valve seals....but my experience of bricks sugegst they can ingest one hell of a lot of oil before you get visible smoke.....

I normally go between 4000 - 5000 between changes max. The car is my "knock around" car (I also have an S80 family car plus a conv fun car) I occassionaly tow a small utility tractor & a 2 liter 'cat. No other problems now and I really enjoy the car. Would like to fix and keep.


Wade

hang on at that oil usage your within manufactures spec anyway!

Wade,

Take a long hard look at the Mitsubishi chart for more possibilities. They make the turbo.
http://www.turbolader.net/en/content/turbo_failure_chart.asp

Go with the cheaper fix first if you're going to keep the car.
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I use about two quarts per 6 months ( 6k miles ) interval with no problems.

fwiw