Engine 850: B5252S/2.4/10v: White streaks in sump oil....

[Hungdaddy]

Afternoon Guys...

I checked the oil today in my 1996 850, 2.5 SE. 110,000 genuine miles

I noticed it's struggling, ever so slightly to start in the cold weather. It starts first time but coughs a little, only a tad.... I checked the dip this morning and there are fine milky residues on the marker, very fine, not loads... So, I checked the water to see if any oily residue in there which there is but only a little... The head looks fine, no leaks anywhere on the outside. The car runs at normal temp, pulls well and runs very well indeed. Its pressurising too... Rocker cover, no residue in there and the oil filler cap is as clean as a whistle...

I assume the slight coughing on start up means water in one chamber or more...

I decided to pay for a full service this week, I can do it myself but just dont have the time. £90 all in, fluids changed, engine flushed etc before I have the head taken off and checked out....

Could it be just the cold weather and some sort of condensation problem?

Im hoping I dont need the head removing as the car is old but still, I love it and its a minter with a full Volvo history and one owner from new until I bought her last year.... I also dont want to be throwing loads of cash at her as she's not worth a great deal by the book...

Thanks in advance...

[charlotte001]

How far are you driving the car? It might just be condensation if you are doing short trips. Take the car on a long run say 30 miles all in and then check the oil. My 93 850 puffs white like a trooper each time I restart it even after a long run I put it down to condensation in the exhaust as its so large

[Hungdaddy]

I do only use her for work, 9 miles each way. I leave very early, when its very cold and to be honest, she barely gets warm by the time I get to work....

I do really hope it's not a cylinder head issue, surely id get overheating if that were the case.... The mechanic I spoke to said it could be condensation in the rocker cover from the cold air on start up, in the this cold weather I guess it may be a possibility

Hoping having her serviced will help me keep an eye on it....

I panicked when I saw the milky brown streaks on the oil stick.....

Im putting some antifreeze in today and draining some coolant out... Know a good spot to drain from?

Cheers

[stevo48]

Emulsification on the dipstick in this weather is perfectly normal, if it does concern you try a bit of pipe lagging wrapped around the dipstick tube.

[Hungdaddy]

It only concerns me if it's going to mean a new head gasket. It has only been since the cold weather that I've noticed this.... I check the fluids every two weeks and it's the first time I've seen that residue. As I said before, the fluid levels have not budged in the 8 months I've owned her... Would it still be normal for the coolant to feel slightly oily? Its the consistency of water, slightly brown but if you put your finger in and take it out, after drying your finger, it feels a bit greasy...?

Thanks, your last comment cheered me up no end!

[stevo48]

The coolant can get a bit brown looking if not changed regularly and the "greasiness" could be down to the anti freeze or if your car has the oil intercooler in the radiator that could cause a little oil to get into the water (intercooler slight seep/leak).
It will be worth getting the fluids dropped and when re-filling get a rust inhibitor added to the coolant to reduce the discolouration.
Sounds like your car is barely run in @ 110k, still in its infancy.

[Hungdaddy]

Thanks for that.

She is a lovely car... Ill keep an eye on things after the engine flush and oil change.

[lou]

hi mine is doing from cold weather, ive just flushed and changed oil.
but i also need to replace the pcv system as it glogged up in there as well.
if you have a look at in this pipe you will c the same sluge.



and it also will be in here.

[Hungdaddy]

Very helpfull...

Mine is running very cold, has done for a few months, guessing due to the stat staying open...

I'll get that changed when I flush the motor... Do I need to change the sensor too when I change the thermostat or should it be ok?

[lou]

if you do a search for pcv volvo 850 you can by the kit, im only changing mine because its blocked, you can obtain the kit from rufe on this site im told
regards thermostat would replace with a gen-volvo one and which sencor did you mean???