Volvo XC90 T8 complete engine failure

[Haldex]

So Philip, if I understand correctly, you previously had the ERAD replaced (under warranty..) and now new engine + gearbox rebuild - damn, that car must have been built in the night shift, on a Friday Dec 31

Out of curiosity - you tow much?

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Haldex

So Philip, if I understand correctly, you previously had the ERAD replaced (under warranty..) and now new engine + gearbox rebuild - damn, that car must have been built in the night shift, on a Friday Dec 31

Out of curiosity - you tow much?

Nope. Virtually never tow, only towed the boat once and it is only a plastic dingy..... Tow bar is predominately for the bike rack.

I just feel unlucky. Car otherwise feels well built. I have done 135k miles in it though.

My gut feeling is that the new engine is not proving to be as robust as engines of old. And maybe the hybrid constantly turning the engine on and off is not proving conducive to a long life........

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

My gut feeling is that the new engine is not proving to be as robust as engines of old. And maybe the hybrid constantly turning the engine on and off is not proving conducive to a long life........

Look at the specific power output of the engines - in the same ball-park as race and motorcycle engines of 20 years ago. They are highly stressed - I change my oil between services - I don't know if this will help but it won't do any harm!

When I worked for an oil company the analysis we did on the best synths of the day showed they were shot (viscosity wise) after 4,000 miles - despite even then some service intervals being 15K. And oil was thicker back then!

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Volvocano

Look at the specific power output of the engines - in the same ball-park as race and motorcycle engines of 20 years ago. They are highly stressed - I change my oil between services - I don't know if this will help but it won't do any harm!

When I worked for an oil company the analysis we did on the best synths of the day showed they were shot (viscosity wise) after 4,000 miles - despite even then some service intervals being 15K. And oil was thicker back then!

I change my oil every 6,000 miles with genuine oil and filter. The oil is filthy so much so that the next oil that goes in there is already black 5 minutes later.

I am at 125k now and no oil consumption at all. I can’t fathom people paying £240 for a basic oily rag look over and oil every 18,000 miles when you can buy the exact oil and filter three times over and change it each 6,000 miles knowing that it’s all been done properly!

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by XC90Mk1

I change my oil every 6,000 miles with genuine oil and filter. The oil is filthy so much so that the next oil that goes in there is already black 5 minutes later.

I am at 125k now and no oil consumption at all. I can’t fathom people paying £240 for a basic oily rag look over and oil every 18,000 miles when you can buy the exact oil and filter three times over and change it each 6,000 miles knowing that it’s all been done properly!

That's very frequent - do you have a diesel? Obviously Volvo don't make oil - anything (cheaper) with the same spec will be fine, I also use aftermarket Mann oil filters - which are the people who make the OE ones anyway.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Volvocano

That's very frequent - do you have a diesel? Obviously Volvo don't make oil - anything (cheaper) with the same spec will be fine, I also use aftermarket Mann oil filters - which are the people who make the OE ones anyway.

No they don't , but they worked with Castrol to develop their unique formulation for this new advanced engine. , hence the 0w/20 VCC RBS0-2AE unique specification required.

[Volvocano]

Originally Posted by Clan

No they don't , but they worked with Castrol to develop their unique formulation for this new advanced engine. , hence the 0w/20 VCC RBS0-2AE unique specification required.

Which wasn't the standard viscosity of the oil used in this engine for the first 3 or 4 years of its life. The recommendation of 0w/20 is a recent change (TSB) possibly driven by engine failure due to oil ring gumming.

As for the oil company - the company that used its economic might to be able to sell synth blends marketed as fully-synth. A spec is a spec - if an oil meets the specification, then an oil meets the specification, it's not "unique" there are third party companies making oil to that specification such as Morris Lubricants Multivis ECO V 0W-20 - I believe this oil is also rebadged for Comma - I use either depending on what I can get hold of at the time.

[xco]

Originally Posted by Volvocano

Look at the specific power output of the engines - in the same ball-park as race and motorcycle engines of 20 years ago. They are highly stressed - I change my oil between services - I don't know if this will help but it won't do any harm!

When I worked for an oil company the analysis we did on the best synths of the day showed they were shot (viscosity wise) after 4,000 miles - despite even then some service intervals being 15K. And oil was thicker back then!

I totally agree with your thoughts on the XC90 mk2 engines being stressed and aired my views on here way back when Volvo announced they were going to go the 2.0ltr route with their new VEA engines from 2015 onwards...
.It seemed to me to be asking too much of a 2.0ltr engine in such a big car, something has to give surely and it seems that it has!!?
But I was assured by those in the know on here who know better and more than me that that was the way to go and that the new VEA engines were more than up to it for the job.....
....Mm mm I think more will follow....

Hope I'm wrong?!!

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by Volvocano

That's very frequent - do you have a diesel? Obviously Volvo don't make oil - anything (cheaper) with the same spec will be fine, I also use aftermarket Mann oil filters - which are the people who make the OE ones anyway.

My 2012 is a diesel yes which runs 0W-30.

I would use any reputable oil however the oil and filter (which is branded ‘Mann’ and ‘Volvo’ with a crush washer comes in at under £70 for 6 litres which frankly is less than I can but it for elsewhere hence the Volvo purchase.

[N777ckg]

I personally think you have made the right choice with a new engine as expensive as it is, I would be tempted to keep it after that to be honest.
I would try and get another price from a different Volvo dealer, I had intended to order mine from Doncaster which is my local but they were over £300 a month more on a Business lease than the Nottingham, and I’ve found them expensive on the accessories I’ve purchased also, so could be worth a phone call elsewhere?