850 engine oil switch?

I have an 850 turbo with about 225000 miles which doesn't leak or use
much oil. I've been using regular oil but my mechanic keeps telling me
to switch to synthetic. I heard that switching in a hi mileage engine
will cause leaks. Any advice?

 

hi-mileage
a volvo at 225,000 miles with regular maintenance?

 

IMO synthetic oil is a very good idea with turbos. If you are worried
about leaks, Valvoline markets a Synthetic MaxLife oil which is supposed
to include seal conditioners to minimize leaks.

John

 

Personnally, as long as you dont drive it very hard 100% or tow heavy loads
in high ambient temps, and use a good spec mineral oil of the correct
viscosity, changed at around 5k intervals, then I would NOT switch to
Synthetic.

The main advantage of synthetic is that it will withstand higher
temperatures without carbonising- i.e in the turbo. As long as you cool off
the turbo after driving on boost, mineral will be fine.

You will prbably cause more problems such as leaks and wash any deposits
into the sump which could block the pickup strainer.


Tim..

 

I always wonder why oil changes are done so frequently in the US, even
on European cars. I'm driving currently a new V70 D5 (185 hp) and
before I had a V70 T5 (260hp). In Europe oil changes are done every
20'000 to 30'000 km (13'000 to 20'000 miles) or after 24 months which
ever comes first. But along with the engine oil the filter is always
changed. Shorter intervals are only recommended in very sandy or dusty
environments.

The other thing is the frequent statement in this NG that the switch
from regular mineral based engine oil to fully synthetic engine oil on
high mileage cars is producing oil leakage. If that were the case the
engine has *IMHO* a major structural defect. Molecule chains of fully
synthetic oils remain much more stable which results "thicker" oil when
hot. From the standpoint of physical properties of the oil qualities
there is no reason not to switch to synthetic oil.

Joerg

 

Joerg wrote

It's not just the USA where oil changes are recommended at 5k miles
intervals. Many respected commentators here in the UK (e.g. The Daily
Telegraph's motoring writer "Honest John" ) have long espoused ignoring
the manufacturers' extended limits and changing the oil every 5k miles
(or 6 monthly if sooner).
A local garage that services Mitsubishi Colts for a driving school had
horrendous camshaft problems when Mitsubishi extended the oil change
interval from 6k to12k a few years ago. The driving school removed the
problems when they reverted to 6k oil change intervals.

I don't know how many miles your V70s have covered, but my 850 has
managed 215k miles with no major component replacements, and has had
the more frequent oil & filter changes.
John Morris, Cambs UK

 

John, that is not my personal opinion. The manufacturer Volvo decided
that it is appropriate for the European markets. So do other
manufacturers like Daimler Benz, BMW and others.

Before the V70 s I also drove several 850s. The last one was a 850 T5
(225 hp). The colour and the consistency of the engine oil led to the
conclusion to stick to the manufactureres advice/recommendations.

Joerg