Our 1995 850 turbo sedan with 180k miles had an oil change about 2300 miles ago. It has never burned any engine oil during the last 15+ years in our hands. Early last week, when I checked the oil dipstick one morning (before I drove it that day), the oil level was at about half the distance between the full and empty indications; that is, in about ... 3 days, since the last time I had checked it before that day, about ~1/2 quart of oil was apparently gone! The following morning, I checked it again; this time, the oil level was back at the full indication again, although no oil was added at all. During the last 7 days, I have been checking the oil dipstick every morning, i.e., before I drive it at all. Some days it is at the full indication, and other days it is at about half the distance between the full and empty indications on the dipstick. Do you have any ideas of what may be happening? Is this a warning sign for anything that may be coming up soon? The car runs fine in every other respect.

1995 850 turbo sedan, a really great car
2006 S60 2.5T, a really nice car my other half likes very much

After a new volvo oil filter (and oil) were used in our 1995 850 turbo sedan, the oil level readings still go up and down from day to day, but never more than 1/2 quart maximum. I know that oil cannot ... just disappear! Yet, I do not recall such ups and downs of the oil level during the last 15 years and 180k+ miles. I am wondering whether this is a precursor of a potentially upcoming issue with our car.

1995 850 turbo sedan, a really great car
2006 S60 2.5T, a really nice car my other half likes very much
(and still waiting for a diesel XC60 or C30 stick shift)

When you cut the engine off, the spring check valve in the filter closes and prevents oil from draining from your engine (at least in theory). Your check valve is just sticky probably. Volvo and Mann filters have the same type check valves.

After checking in the morning do you wipe it off and then check it again? You could have some internal engine pressure pushing the dip stick out a bit and causing the oil level to appear low.

Yes, I wipe it off and then check it again. The readings are fully repeatable each day.

If you are not using a Mann oil filter with a check valve, the oil might be draining to the sump. Or the check valve in the filter might be defective.

You are always better off checking the oil AFTER the engine has warmed up and sitting for a minute or 2. My new ride has 9 quarts of oil and heating the oil to operating temps changes the level by 1/2 quart.

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

I am always using a volvo filter purchased from the local volvo dealer. I am planning to have the oil changed in the next few days and see whether the current filter might have been defective.

I have checked the oil dipstick a few times after the engine was warmed up and after I waited for 5-10 minutes. Although I do not have all details in writing, I recall that the lower oil dipstick reading I mentioned originally was observed more often than that in the case the engine was cold in the morning (not absolutely sure though). Thank you.

You don't need to 'change the oil' to replace the oil filter. Changing the filter by itself is normally just 1 quart of oil lost and re-added.

If you ever decide to change the oil yourself, FCPGroton sells 10 Mann filters in a case for less than $40, add 10 crush washers to your order and an air filter and a couple of cabin filters to defray shipping costs.

Klaus
--
Proud owner of a 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Thank you very much.

It was about time to have the oil and oil filter changed, given my high traffic and high speed driving. Things are looking OK so far.

In the meantime, I am waiting for my XC60 diesel (manual preferably) to arrive, if it ever does. I would even settle for the C30 diesel manual. We will see.

Not sure if this is "possible" but maybe the oil is "stuck" in the engine somewhere and it isnt falling into the pan correctly? Or maybe the stick isnt seated right? One thing is for sure that if its not leaking, oil isnt disappearing and then reappearing.

Duh, in the turbo maybe?

not being mean, saying duh to myself for not thinking about that. HAHA sorry!

Hello All,

What color is your coolant??

Cheers

greendread

The usual one. There has been no observable change in the color of the coolant over time.