C30 Excessive Oil Use

[ediefox]

Hi

I bought my 2013 C30 (2.0L Petrol) via Volvo Selekt in January 2020. It was on about 59/60k and just been serviced by them so full of oil.

I noticed by the time the MOT was due in June I'd put in more oil than I ever had any other car. I mentioned this to my Volvo specialist where it was MOT'd but he didn't seem concerned.

By the time service was due (early Jan 2021) I had used around 10-12L of oil for about 12,000 miles. I mentioned this again at the next Volvo Specialist and they said 'oh, yes. It's likely it'll need a new engine'.

It was now days off the end of it's warranty. The next day I took it to a Volvo dealer and they checked the warranty and told me it'll be £120 to check it over and nothing obvious was found. I was told to go back after 1500 miles and then they'd top it up to see how much it had used.

It used about 1L for 1400 miles. Volvo say it should have used about 1.6L for around 3,600 miles. So we know there is a problem. It's now on 75k.

My issue now is the only option I have been given is pay £260 for a compression and leakage test. Then, if still nothing, a full days labour to have the head off etc with no guarantee the fault will be found of course and I would be liable if it was just carbon or wear and tear. The car very clearly must have been experiencing this before my ownership.

So, with 3 years finance still to pay on it (I was hoping to look after it and for it to last me about 6-7 years), I'm between a rock and a hard place.

What I'd like to know is, has anyone else had this issue? Is there a common fault to help narrow it down rather than pay them, probably getting on for £1000, I might be best getting a suitable garage to aim for the 'usual suspect' if there is one.

Many thanks.

[Austin160]

I’m sure other owners will share their actual experiences, and apologies, all I can add in terms of experience is going to inspect one of these on a forecourt - all very nicely presented and showing evidence of being well cared for. However, checking the oil revealed about 2mm of oil showing on the dipstick.

[PNM]

I don't think the 2.0l petrols are known for oil use, unlike early 1.8l petrols. My 2.0 petrol is on 75k and doesn't use a drop between services.

That said, if it's been neglected or had run on out of spec or low oil previously, that might leave it prone to high oil consumption.

Personally, I would let Volvo do some more investigation. The diagnostic fee a small price to pay if there is a chance that you can make a warranty claim.

[Markos01]

I too would let Volvo continue with investigations. You've logged the issue before the end of the warranty so you're covered, although it seems as though there are fees you'll have to pay along the line. I'd set aside an hour and read through Volvo Selekt's T&Cs, and I'd also be inclined to make contact with Volvo regarding their Selekt policy and engines using too much oil: I'd want to know what's the normal procedure as they will have come across such an issue multiple times; how long might such a process go on for until it's 100% resolved (new engine?); how much will it cost me in terms of paying for diagnosis of each stage; as the car was sold with a year's warranty clearly it shouldn't exhibit this level of 'wear and tear' and so I'd want it confirmed that at no point they'd just say 'wear and tear, you're not covered'.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[domhart10]

How much oil did you have to put in? sounds normal as some engines use quite a bit of oil.

Your best bet is to pull the under tray off if it has one. Have a check to see if there has been any oil leaking onto it. Run it a couple weeks without the undertray on and see if you get any oil on the ground.

[ediefox]

Thanks for input.
It's definitely not leaking anywhere. They even said themselves it's very clean and dry.
I put in about 8L over one year and it had just been serviced so it had fully used ound 12L in a year/12k. The manufacturers expected oil use was as above and I don't drive heavy or aggressively.

I will see how I feel about it when the funds arrive with regards to throwing possibly dead (dealership sized) money at it.

[MDS40]

My S40 2.4 used to use a fair bit of oil, nowhere as much as yours though.
On one of my oil changes a couple of years ago i used an engine flush before doing it and now it hardly uses any between changes.
Maybe it was a sticky oil control ring.

[JohnM 855 T5R]

I think you are being "fobbed off" by garages. The 5 cyl Volvo engines should be frugal on oil consumption if not thrashed or badly maintained. This will give you some idea:

My current 2011 C70 T5 - 89.000 miles - approx. 7500 miles per litre
My current 2008 C30 T5 - 93,000 miles - approx. 7000 miles per litre
My old 2004 C70 T5 convertible - 140,000 miles - approx. 6500 miles per litre
My old 1998 C70 Coupe T5 - 410,000 miles - approx. 4000 miles per litre even at that mileage (was giving about 7000 miles per litre when new).

1500 miles or less per litre is dreadful! - Complain, complain, complain! I've had Volvo Selekt warranty on my 2011 C70 and NEVER had to pay for investigation for any of the roof, electrical or throttle issues it's had. I think it comes down to having a dealer who gives a damn (my dealer is excellent).

Assuming no leaks, with your consumption I'd suspect valve stem seals, piston rings or scored liners - all of which are unacceptable at your miles.

Regards
John

[Kev0607]

This level of oil consumption is frankly ridiculous. There must be something seriously wrong for the engine to be using this much oil.

The car must have been traded in with this fault & then the dealership sold it on to yourself.

As this is an issue that has been ongoing prior to the warranty expiring (you've had the car at Volvo before), they should look into it & shouldn't be charging you for the work either. I'm assuming the engine was covered under the warranty, that has now lapsed? If so, why did they charge you £120 to "check it over" when it was still under warranty?

You need to complain to Volvo UK/the dealership that's "investigated" the car. They charged you £120 & found "nothing obvious wrong", whilst the car was still under warranty.

Without stating the obvious, there's obviously something wrong & I suspect its not going to be a cheap fix.

It sounds to me like they fobbed you off because the warranty was due to expire.

As said above, don't let this lie. You need to take it further & complain.