For the bickering
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discussions we've been doing kudos on that car. Nice looking and like the color.
Reading your "
What the technician did: He used an abrasive power wheel to clean the mating surfaces of the block and sump. " is why I have no idea what their drip pan looked like was it clean or dirty. And yes, I agree the debris was shocking!!!!
BTW the bickering part is in jest --- had to clear that up because some people get real serious on forums. Had one Volvo sales guy stalk me, found out the city I lived in, the dealer, etc. I don't use my name or places I live so the guy had to go to great lengths to search me out. And because he worked at the same dealer franchise, he had access to my personal information. Because of his zeal in finding me, I had a discussion with the dealer about it. Manager said I wasn't the first to give the same report about the guy. Clearly the dealers cyber insurer would not be happy with personal information going out over the internet.
It honestly wasn’t my intention to bicker, it was merely to discuss. I’m sorry if I missed that mark. If I thought you had a case against the dealer, I would’ve told you how to proceed, but I genuinely don’t think you have a case for them reusing the oil as being somehow injurious to either you or your car.
I understand your frustration, though, I genuinely do.
The level of expertise demonstrated by Volvo technicians has changed dramatically in my 31 years of Volvo ownership. They were once quite good, reasonably priced, and I trusted them. That isn’t always the case, anymore, and if you read through that very lengthy thread on my V70R, you’ll see how I experienced frustration similar to your own.
That’s why, unless it’s something I simply can’t do, I do all the work myself. I even have an EPA license to buy refrigerant and service automotive AC systems. State inspections, recalls, bodywork, and alignments are about all I will let a dealer do to my car, and, even then, I have an alignment guy that I like better than any dealer, but he is booked out three weeks in advance most of the time. Shows you what a good technician is worth in the eye of the public.
I think the issue for this 2016, is the long-term viability of an oil burner. As long as you check it often, then I think you can run this car for a while. I would consider simply getting another car, if that’s within your financial means. You stated your wife is going through some health trouble, mine has been through similar, and if this 2016 Volvo is uncomfortable for her, then that, coupled with the oil burning, would compel me to look at a different car.
My wife is on crutches at the moment, and she finds that her 2002 wagon is perfect. My truck is too tall to get in and out of comfortably, her Mercedes roadster is too low to get in and out of comfortably. The back of that wagon handles her scooter and crutches with ease, and the roof rack makes for a good grab handle as she maneuvers around the car. It is practical, comfortable, reliable, safe and durable.
I am sorry that your Volvo doesn’t meet that standard, particularly if your wife finds it uncomfortable.
I was, for the record, very, very impressed with the 2023 XC 90 plug in hybrid that we drove last year. it was practical, it was comfortable, it was also luxurious, and it was also a very nice looking car. I’m not certain how well the hybrid powertrain will hold up. That’s why I am considering option two from my previous post, in which I buy a new car, pay cash, drive it 10 years, and trade it in. Before serious issues arise (hopefully).
Let’s look at the math for a second. Let’s say I spend $85,000 on the car. I drive it for 10 years. 120 months - then I trade it in for, say $25,000. That is about what a 10-year-old XC 90 goes for these days, so my math isn’t too far off…
I eat $60,000 in depreciation, over 120 months. $500/month. Less than a payment that most people are making on a new car. She gets a nice new car, and I don’t worry about her.
So, yeah, I’m considering a new Volvo. We also drove the Chevy suburban, which she found too big, but was similarly priced, and the similarly priced Mercedes GL450. All nice cars, but also, so complex that I don’t know that I want to be an owner when it hits 10 years old and the parts support starts to dry up and I have to turn it over to some of the baboons that substitute for technicians these days.
Back to your situation.
If Volvo determined that the oil consumption is not “excessive“, then you really have two choices; keep feeding it oil, or trade it in. I lean towards the trade in, even though I have, for the last 40+ years, fixed every problem with every car I’ve owned.
If Volvo determines that the oil consumption is “excessive“, then I would let them replace the engine and see what you got when they’re done.