I have a '95 Volvo 850 GLT Sedan and recently had all the external oil leaks fixed, rear main seal, oil cover gasket. From this I was told that the car should not be leaking or consuming oil anymore.

Well after 1500 miles since the last oil change the car has consumed 3 guarts of oil. I could tell that the vehicle was not running right so I checked the next morning to confirm. I checked all over again and there is not a drop of oil to be found on the exterior at all nor on the ground. So where could this be disappearing too? I am not having any smoke from the rear tail pipe either.

I look forward to the replies on what I should be looking for and trying. Thanks.

I would measure the oil usage over a longer period of time than 1500 miles and under a variety of driving conditions, so you can better decide how bad the problem really is.

How many miles does your car have? I have a 96 850GLT with 136,000 miles that started the same thing early this year. I was going through a quart of oil every 500 miles or so. Had a compression test done and found that there was build up in the engine causing low compression (120-160 psi)and oil burn. The catalytic converter was removing the smoke so no real sign of smoke from the exhaust. After a cylinder flush with some type of cleaning agent by the shop compression in all five cylinders is now in the 170-180 psi range. I can feel the difference too.

Some one on this board told me about www.auto-rx.com the other day and I am now giving it a try. Worst thing that can happen is if it has no effect. The results from some of the post online though show some pretty amazing results.

If you are sure you don't have any leaks, then have a compression test and start from there.

Good luck.

Oliver

Over a million Volvo miles and still smiling....

Had a compression test done today to see what was going on and this is what they reported back to me with. Going from passenger side to driver side on the cylinders.

Cyl#1 - 135 PSI
Cyl#2 - 150 PSI
Cyl#3 - 150 PSI
Cyl#4 - 137 PSI
Cyl#5 - 142 PSI

Now I have no clue as to what the compression should be for a non turbo setup, but I did not think these were to good.

The Shop checked the entire engine area and no signs of leaking any oil could be found.

So, I'm thinking tomorrow do any engine flush and try a compression test after a clean fill of oil and filter.

The shop also suggested that I take a look at the PVC System of the car as well. Need pictures,parts and how often this should be serviced.

Bay 13 in www.volvospeed.com has real good pictures on the "flametrap" (PVC) removal and replacement.

I have 500 miles on the auto-rx now, so I can't really report anything yet. In about two months I will know more. I also agree that you want all compression reading within a 10% range, but if you have excessive build up in the engine, it is possible that all five cylinders are 15-25 psi low.

Keep in touch as you find out more.

Oliver

Over a million Volvo miles and still smiling....

I'd be happy with those figures at the mileage you give, especially if those are the warm, not cold, figures. Many say a 10% or less variability between best and worst cylinders is very good, even in cases where the absolute numbers are low.

I have 198,000 miles on it now. It has only recently started this problem. I quess I will first try my Engine flush product and refill with new oil and filter. Then see what happens after that, then have a compression test done. I'll have to find a garage that does that since I don't have the equipment for that.

There are only four possibilities.

1) The engine wasn't properly filled at the last oil change.
2) You measured wrong by incorrectly seating the dipstick, not having the car level or not waiting at least 15 minutes for drain down.
3) The oil is leaking out.
4) The oil is burning.

If 4), then the next step is a compression test to see if the rings are healthy.

This cannot really be figured out without access to the car :(.

John

What viscosity oil are you using?? If you're sure there are no leaks and no evidence of any in the coolant then it's got to be going out the tail pipe. Did you check it after all the work was done? The shop may have underfilled it to start with. Did the engine start running better when the 3 quarts were added? Gas leaking into the oil will thin it out and cause it to burn also.