After 2 oil changes at 5000 or 6 mos. mark, oil report shows fuel dilution. 5/21 report indicates greater than 5% using Liquidmoly Volvo Spec.0W20 oil and 11/21 shows 4.4% dilution using dealer spec Castrol Professional 0W20. Both is still within viscosity limits at 100 though - liquidmoly 7.9 ; Castrol 7.6
2020 T8 Oil Analysis fuel dilution
Keith22
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After 2 oil changes at 5000 or 6 mos. mark, oil report shows fuel dilution. 5/21 report indicates greater than 5% using Liquidmoly Volvo Spec.0W20 oil and 11/21 shows 4.4% dilution using dealer spec Castrol Professional 0W20. Both is still within viscosity limits at 100 though - liquidmoly 7.9 ; Castrol 7.6
After having my T8 for about 800 miles now, I was wondering about the ill-effects of the ICE running intermittently, and it engaging at high speeds or during acceleration.
Any suggestions to lessen the fuel dilution effect in the long run?
I gather frequent oil changes is one, the dealer did offer a 'loop' service as they call it here. An oil change in between the Volvo recommended interval.
Driving habits? 80% of my daily drive are within the Pure range, but there are days when I don't have the time to plug in to charge the battery. Run in polestar mode once a week?
Any suggestions to lessen the fuel dilution effect in the long run?
I gather frequent oil changes is one, the dealer did offer a 'loop' service as they call it here. An oil change in between the Volvo recommended interval.
Driving habits? 80% of my daily drive are within the Pure range, but there are days when I don't have the time to plug in to charge the battery. Run in polestar mode once a week?
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Run ICE for longer time than the 1-2minutes once it kicks in. I use Power or Charge mode for this reason for 5+ minutes.
Had a go at it today with OBD2 app monitoring. At my ambient temp of 80F, it took around 8 min or so at RPM < 2000 to reach 90C engine coolant temp. This was using Charge function in Hybrid mode. After reaching 90C I deactivated Charge and saw it went down to 85C as the ICE went on and off.
Will try again with Power (Polestar for me) mode.
Will try again with Power (Polestar for me) mode.
I don't know. Car has whatever was installed at factory in Gothenburg.
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I asked since the problem is well known with diesel engines having DPF filters.
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You should be measuring oil not coolant temperature. Oil takes much longer to reach operating temperature and evaporate off mixed in fuel.
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My local temperature is about 40F and I will never get 90C at RPM < 2000. It reaches about 60C coolant temperature after ~10 mins drive in Power mode. Fuel dilution occurs often in Winters.
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Good point
I checked again the OBD2 app. Unfortunately the T8 either does not have an oil temp sensor or the Torque nor Car Scanner app cannot detect it.
That would mean 10 min of running the ICE is not enough to reach optimum temp.
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FWIW, I have a couple of thoughts and opinions. First of all, are you really considering doing an extensive engine warm-up? This totally defeats the purpose of having that expensive hybrid powertrain! It is designed specifically to keep the ICE off as much as possible. Just drive it and let it do its thing.
Secondly, what problem are you trying to solve? Yes, there's a little orange note on the oil report, but who are they to say it's not normal for this powertrain? As noted, the engine will not be run as hard or as often as a non-hybrid (again, that's by design) and also, it is a direct-injected engine. I don't know for a fact, but I can imagine that direct-injected engines tend to get a little more fuel in the oil.
Tempest in a teapot.
Secondly, what problem are you trying to solve? Yes, there's a little orange note on the oil report, but who are they to say it's not normal for this powertrain? As noted, the engine will not be run as hard or as often as a non-hybrid (again, that's by design) and also, it is a direct-injected engine. I don't know for a fact, but I can imagine that direct-injected engines tend to get a little more fuel in the oil.
Tempest in a teapot.
For me, trying to avoid costly major engine repairs, I don't know, maybe 7 to 8 years later? Due to fuel dilution. I intend to keep the T8 for at the most 10 years.
TBH, my knowledge on the possible damage from fuel dilution is from the internet. I do not have any real life experience to share.
But with the oldest T8 around 5 years or so, of which I gather the vast majority of owners not concerned or aware of fuel dilution, any real life feedback as to how significant is the fuel dilution effect in the long term?
TBH, my knowledge on the possible damage from fuel dilution is from the internet. I do not have any real life experience to share.
But with the oldest T8 around 5 years or so, of which I gather the vast majority of owners not concerned or aware of fuel dilution, any real life feedback as to how significant is the fuel dilution effect in the long term?
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Here in Canada, recommended oil is 0W20 to allow easy engine start-up in very cold condition.
Fuel dilution reducing significantly the oil viscosity which is already super low will put engine components wear at risk.
So it's intersting data to know.
I personnaly will definitely try to avoid frequent engine cold starts while driving, as those are major source of fuel dilution.
Just consider this…..while fuel dilution could potentially be an issue for an engine that is expected to run for 150,000 miles of driving. However with his power train the engine during your ownership will likely only run a small percentage of that amount. obviously the ratio of engine to electric propulsion is different for different drivers. Probably statistically the most high mileage cars will be the ones with the engines running most frequently, warming the oil and making fuel dilution by and large a non-issue. Those that run around in more urban environments Will only use the engine a small percentage of what a normal gasoline car would be expected to run over its life. So what I’m getting at is your driving habits might cause fuel dilution and potentially over time accelerate engine wear, but you’re not going to be using the gasoline engine very often, so does it matter in the real world? If in 10 years the engine only has to run 50,000 miles the accelerated we’re probably has a little affect…… you’re never going to actually put 150,000 miles on the gasoline engine. I have a feeling some of the accelerated wear and tear on an engine that only runs occasionally is acceptable because it’s overall usage during its life it’s so much smaller than a non-hybrid it will never cause a failure drying the lifecycle of the car. Something to consider.
I suspect this is not a consequence of hybrid powertrains in general. Toyota has been building them for 20+ years now.
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There is more than one way to address this problem.Good point
I checked again the OBD2 app. Unfortunately the T8 either does not have an oil temp sensor or the Torque nor Car Scanner app cannot detect it.
That would mean 10 min of running the ICE is not enough to reach optimum temp.
1. You could figure out a way to run the engine long enough to fully heat the oil and control the fuel buildup. As others mentioned it kinda defeats the purpose of a hybrid.
2. You could just use the car as designed and live with the fuel buildup. As others noted any increase in engine wear is not likely to be significant because the engine won't be running continually.
3. Monitor the oil dilution level and change the oil more frequently as indicated.
4. Change the oil every 5k miles rather than every 10k miles and don't bother with testing.
I would go for #2 if it was my car.
T8's are typically in the 5 - 10% fuel dilution range. Take a second and google that, you'll either learn something or further bury your head in the sand.
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And your helpful solution to the o.p.'s problem is....
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