Check out these sludge pictures.....

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Connorb
The customers that use synthetic or do an "in-between" oil change with conventional typically don't have the buildup under the cap.


And some folks STILL insist conventional oil = synthetic oil. It simply doesn't.

 

[wgtoys]

The owner's manual for my '96 Volvo recommended 10,000 mile oil changes with conventional oil using then current SH grade oil. Needless to say, I did my oil changes more often than that!

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: Connorb
The customers that use synthetic or do an "in-between" oil change with conventional typically don't have the buildup under the cap.


And some folks STILL insist conventional oil = synthetic oil. It simply doesn't.

Maybe it doesn't. But the OP's picture only shows a heavy layer of varnish under the oil cap. While I'd rather not have the varnish, at the same time, it's quite possible that the varnish is harmless.

 

[ZZman]

Connorb: It is nice to hear from an expert that has seen many of these first hand.

So have you seen into the valve covers also to see if there is an issue there or is it just harmless varnish?

**Sounds like another recommendation to run Syn oil.

 

[Chris B.]

Originally Posted By: Connorb
I work at an independent Volvo shop, almost every newer one that comes in looks like that under the filler cap/dipstick...even the ones that are serviced by the book. The problem is the long recommended oil change interval, which is every 7500 miles on conventional oil (even for turbo models). It's hard to convince people to change it sooner, because they think they are already doing good by following what Volvo says to do. The customers that use synthetic or do an "in-between" oil change with conventional typically don't have the buildup under the cap.


So do you think there is any harm done to this engine?

 

[ARB1977]

I would definitely do a synthetic change, run the oil half the change interval.

 

[panthermike]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
I would definitely do a synthetic change, run the oil half the change interval.


I'd say finish Auto-RX(2 cycles), then go syn w/ maint. dose.

 

[jesbo]

Originally Posted By: Connorb
The customers that use synthetic or do an "in-between" oil change with conventional typically don't have the buildup under the cap.


I have a '96 850 Volvo Turbo (120K miles) that runs Mobil 1 5W30 with OCI between 5 and 7K miles. No sludge buildup at all. The only issue is some brownish froth in the dipstick tube during winter months due to short trips/cold weather. It seems to disappear during warm weather.

 

[Dave Hess]

Do you regret buying a used car with a Turbocharged engine ?

 

[Connorb]

Originally Posted By: Chris B.
So do you think there is any harm done to this engine?


In my opinion it should be fine, especially now that you are taking care of it early in the life of the engine. I see so many of these engines going strong at 150-200k, even with the sludge buildup and 7500 mile oil change intervals.

I've only seen one engine failure due to lack of oil changes on these cars. It was a 5-cylinder turbo XC90 SUV with about 55k miles. The oil was changed with conventional at an average of every 11k miles!

 

[Rolf]

Originally Posted By: ZZman
After your rinse phase you might consider running Redline oil. That is Ester based ....


I don't believe they say they are "ester based".

They say "Red Line's products are unique because they contain polyol ester base stocks ....".

A PAO with 10% polyol ester contains polyol ester base stocks.

 

[panthermike]

Important to keep up with service on these turbo cars.

I thought of this thread again today when I checked the oil on my sister's 06 VW Passat 2.0T. Car only has 39K miles. There is heavy varnish on the dipstick and oil fill hole, was also a qt low.

Looked in the manual and it states to use VW approved 5w40 or 5w30 if necessary. I asked her and she said she gets the cheap oil change at a car wash every 7-10K

Manual says every 5K. This car is a lease, so she doesn't care I guess.

Anyway, just thought I'd share and didn't want to start a new thread.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: ARB1977
Ouch...one thing ive always learned, before buying a used car or truck take a peak under the oil cap.


I'll do you one better....I used oil analysis'd my last used purchase (before buying it) and posted it in the used oil analysis section!

 

[TomYoung]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: gaspo
Originally Posted By: Chris B.
So far I'm very dissapointed with Auto Rx.

Try PP next time, they promise 46% sludge removal on first oil change

It may be true. I tried Pennzoil Platinum 5w20 in 90k miles '00 E430 last spring/summer and the oil color was black after only 1k miles. That car had Mobil 1 0W40 since new with 11-13k miles OCI's according to FSS. The color of Mobil 1 0W40 wasn't black until about 6-7k miles.


The black oil at 1,000 miles is exactly what you are looking for -- it means that some of the sludge is in suspension in the oil and you are on your way to a cleaner engine.

 

[TurboWagon]

Poor Volvo... =(

That's a great model year, a shame to see it mistreated like that. I would buy a bunch of Pennzoil Platinum on sale and do three 3000 miles changes. Then switch to Ultra for 5,000 miles, and then slowly up the OCI.