oil consumption

[sb765t]

Folks,

What's the normal oil consumption of a D24T in good health?

I presume if the engine is healthy, the next place to look for heavy oil consumption would be the turbo...

[v8volvo]

Simple question with a more complicated answer. Oil consumption can vary greatly based on many factors including oil weight used, climate, driving patterns, etc. Depending on those things a "healthy" D24T may use anywhere from no oil at all to a liter every 500-1000 miles or so.

One example: several years ago I bought a 745 TD in the Northeast and drove it across the country in early summer. The car's motor was in healthy condition and had 5W30 synthetic in the crankcase. For the first part of the drive, from Massachusetts to roughly Colorado on I-90 and I-80, the weather was cool and I was not pushing the speed, cruising at 60-70 mph. During those ~2000 miles the engine used no oil whatsoever. I then stopped and spent a week in Colorado, and during that week the weather changed and the average temperature rose about 25F. When I departed for Seattle I was now driving on fast western highways averaging 75-80 mph and occasionally crossing mountainous terrain that demanded lower gears and high engine speeds, all in 90+ degree temperatures. Under those much more demanding conditions, the same engine that had not consumed a drop of oil for 2000 miles now was using it at a rate of 1 liter every 700 miles or so. Subsequently, after arriving back in the Northwest and the car being subjected again to more normal driving demands (at much milder ambient temps), the engine again ceased to use any oil at all and has maintained that pattern.

So answer is that load, engine speed, oil temperature, and oil type/condition/viscosity all play a major role in oil use. Indeed it is possible, at least theoretically, that a brand new engine in perfect condition might well consume oil at a faster rate than a dog-tired, worn-out junker, depending on the usage conditions each was subjected to.

So, what's the context in your situation? Oil type and grade? Usage pattern? High speeds or low speeds? Rural or urban? Weekend traveling or daily commuting, city or highway? Climate? And what's the history on the engine? What rate of consumption have you observed so far?

Welcome to the board!

[sb765t]

Just curious. Car was purchased with a bit of history, Tom Bryant had rebuilt the engine a few years ago... and Tom will tell you that oil consumption is normal in these.

I'd say it consumes a quart every 500-700 miles or so... Mobil1 5w-30.

So...just trying to determine what's normal. Engine is driven pretty hard, as it's got an M46 behind it, and it's just not that powerful to keep up with traffic.

Got to get the power level turned up on this sucker, it's just too slow for me stock. But... seems oil consumption is "relatively" normal.

[anders]

1 quart every 500-700 miles I think would be a little too much. As far as a stock D24T/M46 combo in good health it should easily keep up with traffic without having to push it.

[v8volvo]

I agree, that sounds like it is on the high side as far as oil use goes, and you should not have to beat on it in order to just keep up with traffic... maybe in an tired D24 but not a D24T, especially a healthy one... Have you driven any other Volvo Diesels besides yours? Even an old D24, as long as it is in good shape, doesn't have to breathe too hard in normal driving. A D24T should feel quite snappy and do everyday traffic maneuvers without any drama at all.

You're sure that all the engine basics (valve clearance, cam and pump timing, fuel system, air and fuel filters, etc) are all in spec? If not, those things will adversely affect engine output and behavior.... Having to work the engine overtime may be part of the reason for higher-than-normal consumption. If it's in proper tune and not having to get stepped on as hard during routine driving, that might cut down significantly on its oil intake...

[sb765t]

Well...

I haven't driven many, the only one that I have driven was an auto, and this is a manual. It's pretty slow - 0-60 is probably close to 15 seconds, maybe longer.

The D24T was inspected and adjusted by Tom Bryant before it was brought home. I've not checked anything. He said that performance was fine, and that for a stock D24T, it performed quite well.

I have to defer to his judgement, I just don't have enough experience to say otherwise.