I am the second owner. The first owner put 62k on it and NEVER CHANGED THE
Oil, she just kept adding when it got low. The engine is full of carbon and
muck. For every 30 min. of run time the oil light comes on so stop the
engine wait 15 min. and the light goes off for another 30 min. The car was
given to me from her estate.
Hello Paul:
I've NO DOUBT that after 62K with no oil changes and just topping it
up it is FULL of sludge and varnish.
Have you considered an engine flush? Many instant oil change shops
have such a machine and push that particular service (at a cost of $60
to $90.) That said, in spite of what they will try to tell people it's
basically a waste of money in my my opinion (and others') if the oil
has been changed regularly.
However, if I were in your situation I'd consider it an essential
first step. It may solve the problem and may not--but will certainly
make it easier to diagnose any other issues....and could save you a
lot of money. Any reputable shop is most likely going to insist on
doing an engine flush anyway once you tell them the history of the
car.
I did a bit of research a year ago when I first noticed these machines
and heard about them. One thing nearly ALL in the industry agreed upon
is that the Bilstein R-2000 is the best engine flushing machine, and
noted that others are far behind in efficiency etc.
Another thing most agreed on is that for most cars it's not a
necessary process and that how hard the sell is (especially at an
independent shop or an oil change place) is probably related to how
many payments they have left on the machine. I seem to recall the
Bilstein unit costs somewhere between $6,000 and $9,000.
Here are two links to what the Car Talk Guys (radio show but
apparently knowledgeable) had to say on the subject:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2004/July/07.html
http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/2000/April/01.html
Here's how they work (basically):
The machine has a heating unit and lines that are attached to the oil
filter opening for pumping in and the drain plug on the pan for
outflow. The Bilstein unit has a heater which operates at 110 degrees
farenheit, thus warming a solution of mineral oil, detergents and
solvents through the block, oil pump etc. The pumping is accomplished
by means of a compressed air connection on the unit, thus forcing the
solvents etc through the block, oil pump and passageways at 42 PSI.
On the return side, suction is used to pull the detritus back to a
containment tank on the Bilstein unit.
I might be a bit off on the details, so here are links to info on the
machine:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/date/19970829/news005754.html
http://www.villa-automotive.com/bilstein.htm
http://www.redwoodgeneral.com/flush.htm
http://www.ameinfo.com/50879.html
The process takes anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes once the unit
and solution are heated to 110 degrees, but in a case like yours it
could take as long as an hour or more (at least according to a guy I
know who is a district manager for Valvoline.) And yes, even though we
are friends he tried to sell me an engine flush. I suggested I'd love
one if it were free. Otherwise I'm not interested.
Again, If I were you (especially since the car was given to you)
I'd spend the money for a Bilstein engine flush.
And yes, the machine is made by the same company we all know so well
for their quality shocks and struts--and no, I don't work for them or
any oil change outfit.
Note: if you do this and it solves the oil light issue, I'd be
inclined to drive it for about 1,000 miles and then do another oil and
filter change--but that's just me.
Also, you may have heard--and I do recall--of engine oil sludge issues
on newer cars that resulted in catastrophic failure even when the
owners had the vehicle regularly serviced and oil changed.
That's not been an issue with Volvos but has been for a few other
manufacturers, most notably VW and Chrysler. Even regular engine
flushes may not have solved the inherent issues of bad engineering and
design on these cars. I seem to recall certain models of Toyota had a
similar issue, but Toyota euphemistically referred to the issue as
"oil gelling" and covered it even if the warranty had expired.
Chrysler and VW/Audi only covered out of warranty and in-warranty
vehicles after threats of a "smack-down" from the US government
Here are a few links on "sludge issues" of that sort:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/vw_sludge.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/dodge_dur_oil.html
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=122&did=969
http://www.datatown.com/chrysler/
http://passatworld.com/forums/printthread.php?t=187167
Note that most manufacturers blamed it all on the owner of the car and
insisted on receipts and records for oil changes. Most people don't
keep that sort of thing.
Final comment: If I were you I'd NOT drive the car except to have the
engine flushed to see if it helps. If that does NOT solve it I'd take
it in for oil pan removal and oil pump screen cleaning or replacement.
The 960 engine is tough--but does need oil and is apparently not
getting what it needs now.
A final comment or two: from what I've read and after talking to two
friends who have a combined 40 years as import repair shop owners,
DON'T use a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil on your 960.
I put a syn blend in mine at the last oil change 800 miles and three
weeks ago and within days had a few ounces of oil on the garage floor
every morning--on a 240 with only 163K that had never leaked a drop.
Went back to my friend's shop on Friday and did another change--this
time using decent quality (Castrol) 10-40. Guess what? Not even a drop
on the floor since. My buddy, his brother, and 5 other shop owners on
the same street all said the same thing "we see this all the time. Syn
Oil is NOT recommended unless the manufacturer calls for it and even
then only on certain engines.
I am certainly not trying to start some sort of flame war here--so if
anyone reading this disagrees about synthetic oils please start a new
thread.
Good Luck, and do let us know if the engine flush solves the problem.
Kindest Regards,
Doc
