2016 Volvo V60 - dealer put used oil back in the car

[Oillover]

You've hit the nail on the head. My fault, I fell for the looks of the car and my mistake for purchasing it. My wife has bad peripheral neuropathy in both legs, hard time walking and to her, the pain produced from the low-profile tires are like riding on bricks.

Don't worry, you aren't alone.
There's many on this site and Swedespeed with constant complaints regarding these cars.

 

[urdrwho]

I get why you’re upset with the dealer. And upset with this particular Volvo.

But that doesn’t change what is happening here.

From what I have seen about this oil consumption test on the Volvo forums, yes, they re-use the oil. Basic process - weigh what is in there. Put it in for 1,000 miles. Weigh it again. Determine the weight difference. Far more precise than a dipstick measurement.

Big question - who paid for this test?

Because, again, my understanding is that Volvo paid for it.

If so, they followed the published procedure.

And it cost you nothing. Am I wrong, did you pay for this? And if you did, did they explain what was going to be done?

Because I don’t pay for things, for anything, unless I know what I am getting.

Sounds like this is a case is mismatched expectations. You assumed, emphasis on assumed, that they would put fresh oil on both times. Was that clear in the service description?

Are you letting your overall frustration with this car, and this dealer, color your feeling about this procedure?

My drain pan is spotless. I clean it every time. So, while I haven’t done this procedure, I would be OK doing it if it were the only way to measure consumption.

I carefully drain, and then reinstall coolant, if the coolant is clean, and fresh, using that same pan.

Hm? Can I ask why you drain your coolant and then put it back in? The only time I drain coolant is to exchange with new or replacing something like thermo? Replacing a thermo, call me foolish but I replace with fresh coolant, not the old coolant.

Here's another issue I just thought of --- about the dealer. At about 24,000 miles on the car my dealer said new front shocks were needed. For State inspection I took to a dealer that is 45 minutes from me and shocks were fine with them. Now at 52,000 miles no garage has found anything wrong with the shocks.

Don't worry, you aren't alone.
There's many on this site and Swedespeed with constant complaints regarding these cars.

True. Volvo is losing a lot of their long time owners and as the service manager says, Volvo is now Form over Function. Looks good but ......................

 

[Chris142]

I reuse oil quite often( stupid plastic drain plugs!). I drain it into a clean 5L oil jug along with my just cleaned funnel. No reason to think they used a dirty pan and funnel.

 

[urdrwho]

I reuse oil quite often( stupid plastic drain plugs!). I drain it into a clean 5L oil jug along with my just cleaned funnel. No reason to think they used a dirty pan and funnel.

Spent a lot of time in too many garages is why I lean toward dirty pan. Did they use a dirty pan? I nave no idea?

 

[Astro14]

Hm? Can I ask why you drain your coolant and then put it back in? The only time I drain coolant is to exchange with new or replacing something like thermo? Replacing a thermo, call me foolish but I replace with fresh coolant, not the old coolant.

Here's another issue I just thought of --- about the dealer. At about 24,000 miles on the car my dealer said new front shocks were needed. For State inspection I took to a dealer that is 45 minutes from me and shocks were fine with them. Now at 52,000 miles no garage has found anything wrong with the shocks.

True. Volvo is losing a lot of their long time owners and as the service manager says, Volvo is now Form over Function. Looks good but ......................

Mercedes E350 thermostat replacement. Coolant as changed/flushed last year. Drained the radiator into a clean container, did the job, vacuum filled the system with the coolant I drained out.

No sense throwing away things that still have most of their life left.

You still haven't answered my question: who paid for this oil consumption test?

Because that does make a difference.

Edit: you did answer. I missed it. They paid.

 

[Kira]

Hear Yee, hear yee, Just clean your catch pan if there is a chance or necessity to reuse oil or coolant, that's all.
"If OK, reinstall coolant", is a common instruction I've read. I did this replacing my neighbor's heater valve. He fully expected to reuse it.

I want to ask if a Volvo 3.2l I6 from a 2014 XC70 would have the weak rings.
The bug to replace my 2007 V70 bit me a month ago. However, I've found no solid year range of specific engines effected.

FACT: The oil fill neck accumulates black chunks in Volvos, it appears. I've kept them clean in my V70s.
A perennial oil burner would likely accumulate oil chunks faster.
The neck of the 3.2 mentioned above has been professionally cleaned by a jeweler. It sparkles.
I wonder if cleaning products were rinsed down into the pan.

I'm also wondering if I should walk away from the '14-'16 70 series altogether.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Lunacy to put used oil back in a car. I would have paid for the new Freak'in oil. For $45 worth of oil, they put oil back into a car that could have had crap in the oil. This is the same dealer that tried to sneak past a warranty on another Volvo I had but they made the mistake in not knowing I am a car guy --- I checked their work. Hey that PCV hose is supposed to be new, Volvo paid you to replace it. Dealer - oh we only replace that when it is needed. Yeah when it soon cracks that is another charge for service but not warranty work. Intake gasket was also part of the warranty work but there wasn't any way for me to check that one. Zip tie used instead of a hose clamp. Yep - made them change that one. If they didn't replace an easy hose, I'd lay money they didn't replace the gaskets.

Same dealer that all brake pads were good except front right was down to almost the disc. Odd? They gave me a price to fix. I looked it up and lo and behold there was a TSB out on that brake problem. Still under certified warranty and we had a talk. Ya think the service people didn't know about the TSB? Really??????

I spent 45 years in the securities business and if I did the $hit dealers do I would have gone to jail. Not one bad mark on my CRD in all those years. So I take exception when people coddle dealers. Why? Because most people don't know a thing about cars and rely on dealers to fix cars the correct way.

The garage I use are good ole boys and I use them when I can. I trust them 100% and that is how it should be with dealers, sadly that doesn't seem to be true. When I had my certified Subaru I went round and round with a service manager about it using coolant. The reservoir would be bone dry. His response, "that is how they work."

Maybe we can start reusing brake fluid. Hey it looked clean so we just used the old fluid.

Getting rid of the car is high up on the list. Cars are too inflated in price right now but my wife just recently received her oncology discharge, after over 3 years of darkness, a marrow transplant, now has clean bone marrow. Car shopping wasn't in the cards while living in different hospitals but we don't need any problems. What I can say is that our 2011 Honda CRV never, ever gives us trouble and Lexus is year after year top dog on reliability. Anything to keep us away from dealers.

So to those that say "you expect new oil" can say that but these dealers underhandly take enough of the public's money that they should be ashamed.

Waitaminute… you have all those stories about how the dealer cut corners multiple times before, and you bought another vehicle from them AND took it to them for service?

Sorry, bud, I can tell you’re really peeved and even though the dealer sounds like a piece of crap, a tiger can’t change his stripes. They had told you multiple times before who they were and the crap they thought was OK. The only way stories like this stop is when people refuse to do business with them after the first incident. Then this problem fixes itself.

Best of luck selling the Volvo. Don’t tell the new buyer the story about the dealer until the paperwork is signed!

 

[PF52]

Spent a lot of time in too many garages is why I lean toward dirty pan. Did they use a dirty pan? I nave no idea?

So you don't even know? But I suppose it makes for a good opportunity to get angry for no reason.

 

[GSCJR]

I drain it into a clean 5L oil jug along with my just cleaned funnel. No reason to think they used a dirty pan and funnel.

+1

 

[ecotourist]

We owned a '86 Volvo 740 Turbo from new. It was a very troubled car for the first 3 years we owned it. In the shop many times, sometimes to fix the same problem over and over again. As one example the block heater leaked three times. I went into the shop during the 3rd repair and looked at the block. The inner and outer casting areas were not concentric so there was very little rim along one edge. The mechanic admitted putting in a 3rd block heater wouldn't solve the problem, but "why did I care, it was under warranty." I was busy at the time and taking the car back to the shop all the time was a big disruption. I did care. So they put a frost plug back in the defective port and installed an in-line block heater. Problem solved. But why did I have to get involved? It was obvious what needed to be done.

Coincidentally we moved at the 3 year point, just as the warranty was expiring. We saw a glowing report on an aftermarket Volvo specialist place within a few weeks of our move. We started to take it there and that Volvo suddenly became a reliable vehicle.

Who is taking care of your Volvo matters a lot.

 

[Oillover]

True. Volvo is losing a lot of their long time owners and as the service manager says, Volvo is now Form over Function. Looks good but ......................

Funny thing is, they really don't seem to care about losing owners.
There's always a "first time" Volvo owner who eventually gets soured from the experience shortly after taking ownership.

Considering the lower purchase price than their Euro competition, for someone who's never owned one, I can understand the appeal.

 

[Astro14]

Funny thing is, they really don't seem to care about losing owners.
There's always a "first time" Volvo owner who eventually gets soured from the experience shortly after taking ownership.

Considering the lower purchase price than their Euro competition, for someone who's never owned one, I can understand the appeal.

Funny thing - in 2023, Volvo sales were up 26% over the year before.
They sold the most cars in the history of the company.

Volvo Cars reports new global sales record in 2023

Volvo Cars sets a new global sales record as the company reports full year sales of 708,716 cars during 2023, an increase of 15 per cent compared to the full year of 2022.

www.media.volvocars.com

Most of the people who buy them are very happy.

You, and the OP, seem to be the exception.

 

[Oillover]

Funny thing - in 2023, Volvo sales were up 26% over the year before.
They sold the most cars in the history of the company.

Volvo Cars reports new global sales record in 2023

Volvo Cars sets a new global sales record as the company reports full year sales of 708,716 cars during 2023, an increase of 15 per cent compared to the full year of 2022.

www.media.volvocars.com

Most of the people who buy them are very happy.

You, and the OP, seem to be the exception.

Yes, mostly by people who are new to Volvo (did you miss that part of my post or are you conveniently ignoring it?).
Not surprising, they all look amazing.
Heck, if I didn't know better, I'd rush out to buy one too!

Considering your such a Volvo cheerleader, I'm still wondering why you won't buy a SPA model.
You still haven't given us a clear reason.

 

[gfh77665]

Sounds like this is a case is mismatched expectations. You assumed, emphasis on assumed, that they would put fresh oil on both times. Was that clear in the service description?

Exactly what I said. Something is presumed, then dissapointment sets in. I DO sympathize with tho OP. this is not the end of the world though. rid yourself of the Volvo and move on. Otherwise it will bug you forever. Not worth the stress.

 

[SC Maintenance]

If they dumped the oil in a perfectly clean pan, and it didn't run down the side of the oil pan at all and collect any particles, the oil would be fine to re-use.

We all know they didn't do that.

Still, the fact a dealer did this really shouldn't surprise anyone. Dealers are awful these days. DIY or find yourself a good indy mechanic is the only realistic option anymore.

I agree with parting with this car while its still worth something.

 

[Glenda W.]

Volvo had problems with rings and if not for a class action lawsuit I would not have known my car fell within the years of cars having a problem. After X amount of miles their cars would start consuming large amounts of oil. The lawsuit settlement was to expand the warranty to 8 years / 100,000 miles.

I learned of this problem in the summer of 2023 and had my oil changed in July 2023. We are retired and don't drive very much and in January I decided to check my oil level. I had 1400 miles on the car since the July 2023 oil change and the oil level was down to the first line of the dipstick, about a quart. I called the dealer and they said bring it in for an oil consumption test.

The oil consumption test is when they drain the oil, replace the oil, seal off dipstick and drain plug. Drive the car for about 1,000 miles, bring it back, they drain and weigh the oil. As recommended by Volvo forum members I was told to drive the car like I stole it, which I did and put 1,050 miles on the car. Took it back to the dealer and they drained the oil and weighed it. They said I only used 11 grams during those 1050 miles. Hm? Oddly this is what the forums said I would hear. I asked, so why did I use almost a quart in the 1400 miles. Answer - I don't know. My car has 52,000 miles on it, I have now reached the age limit for any warranty. I could not check my dipstick during the consumption test.

Now for a big no-no. I get home, look at the service report and dont' see any mention about oil, weight oil, brand, etc. I called and the service manager said, "oh, well because you only had 1,050 miles on the oil from the last change, we just dumped the oil we drained back into the car. What!?!?! Do you have a pristine drip pan, how do I know crap wasn't drained out the bottom of the sump and returned back to the top side. Who in their right minds would do such a thing?

I don't think I am wrong on this --- am I.

I don’t blame you one bit. I’d be upset too if they put the same oil back in. Shops aren’t the cleanest, especially drain pans, cleaned or not. I’ve even seen speedy dry stuck on the bulk oil nozzles.

 

[urdrwho]

Hear Yee, hear yee, Just clean your catch pan if there is a chance or necessity to reuse oil or coolant, that's all.
"If OK, reinstall coolant", is a common instruction I've read. I did this replacing my neighbor's heater valve. He fully expected to reuse it.

I want to ask if a Volvo 3.2l I6 from a 2014 XC70 would have the weak rings.
The bug to replace my 2007 V70 bit me a month ago. However, I've found no solid year range of specific engines effected.

FACT: The oil fill neck accumulates black chunks in Volvos, it appears. I've kept them clean in my V70s.
A perennial oil burner would likely accumulate oil chunks faster.
The neck of the 3.2 mentioned above has been professionally cleaned by a jeweler. It sparkles.
I wonder if cleaning products were rinsed down into the pan.

I'm also wondering if I should walk away from the '14-'16 70 series altogether.

You'll need to look that up about your Volvo. The problem existed for several years and even if your 2014 fell within those years, the fix would be on you. Cost quoted in forums I've seen range from $5,500 to $10,000 range.

 

[urdrwho]

If they dumped the oil in a perfectly clean pan, and it didn't run down the side of the oil pan at all and collect any particles, the oil would be fine to re-use.

We all know they didn't do that.

Still, the fact a dealer did this really shouldn't surprise anyone. Dealers are awful these days. DIY or find yourself a good indy mechanic is the only realistic option anymore.

I agree with parting with this car while its still worth something.

But you are correct, the word "IF" is a big word. Why even leave it to an owner to wonder? Because I've been a DIY for most of my life I have a good amount of car guys that did/do the same. I have yet to find one that would be ok with a dealer replacing used oil. One or two said, maybe - yeah if I saw the drip pan, was it thoroughly cleaned before the process, then they might be ok. The vast majority said no-way.

The only time I use the Volvo dealer is when the possibility exists that VIDA is needed or a warranty issue. Other than that it is always, always an indy shop. One of the guys that used to be part of the car guys at coffee shop was a retired service manager. He always said, the life blood, what kept the lights on was the service department. He's been dead for years now or I'd ask him what he thought of re-using oil. He had no problem telling all the crap that took place behind the curtain. Why should he have care, he was retired.

The current service manager at the Volvo dealer is a straight up guy and I bet ya if I told him what happened he would not be happy about it. But it was done, can't go backward and since my plan is to not own this car long term, I just don't care to get into it with the dealer.

One thing that confuses me is that someone posted who paid for the service? That as though good service, good protocol is dependent upon the question of did Volvo pay or did I pay. So is the take-away, if Volvo paid, cutting corners can be expected?????

 

[SC Maintenance]

the pain produced from the low-profile tires are like riding on bricks.

Thats most upper trim cars these days. Our Rav4 is like this - hazard to my fillings. I am going to swap the 19/55 series for a 16/75 series I think. Need to find some old Lexus rims that will fit.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Hm? Can I ask why you drain your coolant and then put it back in? The only time I drain coolant is to exchange with new or replacing something like thermo? Replacing a thermo, call me foolish but I replace with fresh coolant, not the old coolant.

Here's another issue I just thought of --- about the dealer. At about 24,000 miles on the car my dealer said new front shocks were needed. For State inspection I took to a dealer that is 45 minutes from me and shocks were fine with them. Now at 52,000 miles no garage has found anything wrong with the shocks.

True. Volvo is losing a lot of their long time owners and as the service manager says, Volvo is now Form over Function. Looks good but ......................

If it makes you feel any better BMW will reuse coolant.