it isn't leaking, doesn't smoke, what is happening to my oil? i have to add 2 or 3 quarts before it is time to change it. (non-turbo, 1998, s70)

I had the same problem with a '96 850. Exactly the same engine. It was clearly the flame trap being clogged. It is easy to replace when you know how, and a simple task for a knowledgeable mechanic. Cleaning it and fixing a vacuum hose going to it completely solved the problem.

Hope this helps,

-- S'V'

thanks, i guess i will be digging in this week-end. some of the messages i have read seem to imply that the '98 s70 doesn't have a flame trap. mine is non-turbo.

Have you checked the rebreathing/crankcase vent system carefully? As you probably know, high crankcase pressure will promote extra oil consumption - if it has not gone on especially long you may not have a leaking seal or other evidence of a problem. If you are consuming only a couple of extra quarts between changes you may see little or no smoke.

This was my experience on my 850 - though I attended to the flame trap and vacuum hoses time to time I was not very thorough and they ended up mostly clogged. My oil usage was high on extended highway driving, about a quart per 1000 miles. Cleaning the sytem and assuring there were no leaks has reduced it lots. Though I don't have a new figure for highway usage I added just 1 quart in the last 3000 miles of city/suburban use.

i did it. took off the throttle body and all of the hoses. the plastic elbow that has two different sized air lines going to it and is attached to the throtle body was pretty cruddy, but worst, the smaller port was completely clogged, i couldn't even clean it, i had to drill out the stuff. i don't see how that little air line can make my car use oil but whatever, it can't hurt.
here is another question for any s70 owner to answer please. there is a tiny black air line coming out of the air filter housing. where is it supposed to connect? i don't see any place to put it.

thanks,