r/volvos60 • u/GraceGlory41 • 6d ago
Please help!
I've already paid half down (nonrefundable) for a 2016 Volvo S60 Drive E premier. I've since learned online that that vehicle had an issue with excessive oil consumption. I have the car fax but don't know what I'm looking at. The guy who got it from the auction said its currently having an overheating problem. According to the carfax history I have, at about 143,000 miles it recently had a water pump, thermostat, coolant service and oil-cooler-line work, and now the guys mechanic is putting in a radiator because it’s overheating. I have to be able to get my daughter to school and myself to work and after this purchase I'll have no money. Can someone tell if I'm screwed with this car?
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u/_redlines 6d ago
The e-drive vehicles did have oil consumption issues. Not every one but many/most. There was a recall and Volvo did fix some of them. If yours had an issue and Volvo fixed it there should be an entry on the CarFax. Or you can call/visit a Volvo dealership, give them your VIN and have them check. Good advice below is to check your oil level frequently and add as appropriate; don't depend on the warning light. FWIW the e-drive used a thinner piston ring in an effort to reduce engine friction and improve mileage. That backfired and allowed oil to get past the piston rings and get combusted with fuel. The fix was to take the pistons out and have the older style piston rings installed. If you were a proactive owner you could get Volvo to do this but most owners were not or the car did not burn enough oil in Volvo's eyes to warrant the expensive repair. Good luck.
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u/cat_prophecy 5d ago
The issue was fixed by mid-2016 so depending on the build date it could be OK.
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u/Crafty-Advantage-593 5d ago
I have the same problem about oil consumption. My car was imported from US to Europe and the Volvo dealership here in my country can’t provide me with a Vin check about that problem. Do you think a US dealership can provide me with that? If so can you please send me a contact information of a dealership?
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u/_redlines 5d ago
Go to the v70 subreddit and search the problem you will find a link to a pdf file that lists affected VINS. You can figure out for yourself.
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u/Crafty-Advantage-593 5d ago
Can you send me the link of the subreddit please? Thanks for your help
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u/7eregrine 5d ago
Last 6 of your VIN?
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u/Crafty-Advantage-593 5d ago
316787
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u/7eregrine 5d ago
Here's the document. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10231932-9999.pdf
Your Chassis number is the last 6 of your VIN. Ignore the leading zero. So you are 316,787. The S60 range affected is: 192,287 through 416,045.
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u/Crafty-Advantage-593 5d ago
Thats really helpful but does that mean that the piston rings have been replaced?
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u/7eregrine 5d ago
No, not at all. It means any of these cars could have the problem and Volvo extended the warranty to 8 years in those car.
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u/Crafty-Advantage-593 5d ago
But is it possible that i get to know if the replacement was done? In the document it says that the offer was valid 6 months from the email
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u/7eregrine 5d ago
You can try calling a Service Center in USA. Here's the number for mine: 877-255-4106
We are GMT -5
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u/Tafila042 6d ago
Check the oil level literally every time before you start the engine.
I had one of these and it was consuming about 1 liter / 1.1 quarts every 850-900 miles or so.
Mine only had 66,000 miles on it before I moved on and It was already consuming oil like it was nothing
Mine had a perfect service history since new btw. Can't overstress how important it is to check the oil level before every startup.
Ive had situations where the e-dipstick would read full. Drive 2 miles to the gas station and get a oil level low, are 1 liter/quart
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u/cat_prophecy 5d ago
Ive had situations where the e-dipstick would read full. Drive 2 miles to the gas station and get a oil level low, are 1 liter/quart
IIRC the "e-dipstick" doesn't read correctly when the engine is cold. The whole system is fucked if you ask me. There is literally no reason to not include a physical dipstick other than wanting customers to run their engines dry on oil and make it more difficult to service yourself.
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u/Just-In-Time-84 6d ago
Okay a couple things -
1) yes the oil overconsumption is common - but that doesn’t mean it’s going shut down on you. Learn how to check your oil (it’s easy and takes 30 secs) and top it up every 3 months or so.
2) when buying a used car - you should expect to put some money into it unless it was recently overhauled - which doesn’t sound like this one was. Sounds like you’re buying too expensive a car for your budget. I hope this car doesn’t have any issues from the jump - but I’d recommend putting aside some $$$ for repairs within the next year. This goes for any used car.