SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum banner

2015 V60 Drive-E with bad pistons/rings

20345 Views 141 Replies 25 Participants Last post by  MyVolvoS60
It's official. You can add our V60 to the is list. After a hand full of visits to our local dealer, some failed attempts at fixes (second round of new plugs in less than a year, combustion chamber clean, new breather box), and an oil consumption test resulting in over a 1qt loss in in under 500 miles, the service techs and Volvo are recommending replacing the pistons. Unfortunately for me, we are out of warranty at 60k+. We are waiting to hear back this week if Volvo is going to help out with some good will, fingers crossed.

I'm mostly frustrated that I didn't come across this forum a year earlier when we first really started to notice the oil consumption between our 40k service and the first time we brought it in due to a cylinder misfire at 55k, at our neighborhood shop.

To date we have not personally spoken to VCNA. The dealer service has been pretty good, assuming they are actually honest people and you can believe what they are saying to you. They have been communicating with Volvo all along so I have not seen the need to go that rout. The question is whether or not talking to VCNA directly, before even having an answer, is a good idea?
21 - 40 of 142 Posts
Seems to me they just want to bleed some money from you first then spend Volvo's money . My VW powertrain warranty covers a PCV valve . Which with labor would be around 350 ballpark . They just don't care about repeat customers at all
It is possible that the warranty company is being straight up at the moment. My issue isn't with them... yet.
1. The powertrain warranty is very limited and I don't see anything related to the PCV listed in the covered items. I guess you could kinda say it is part of the intake manifold, which would be covered, but that's a stretch.
2. Volvo isn't saying that my PCV Breather Box is broken, they are suggesting the replacement as part of a fix for oil consumption issues. That is specifically excluded from my warranty coverage. So I do NOT want to press that issue with the warranty company anyway.

I hope that the dealership didn't call the warranty company to plead the case on the PCV Breather Box. I don't want the warranty company to know anything about my oil consumption issue. When it comes time to get the warranty company to cover the piston rings, I am going to give the service manager specific instructions not to bring up oil consumption. If the warranty company presses him, I will ask him to point to the fact that my defective piston rings have led to multiple issues including failed plugs and coil packs. And that this is a know problem with this new engine that Volvo has acknowledged to the point that after a certain production date, they changed the piston rings and the repair will be done with the new rings.

I completely understand why I am being sent down this route. The technical journals says to replace the breather box, then if that doesn't work, replace the piston rings. The problem lies in the fact that I don't have a little oil consumption and this didn't just start recently. If this weren't a dealership following orders and was a true mechanic doing the diagnosis, they would say... "A breather box is $500 and might work, but probably not. A ring job is $4000 and will surely fix it. Which do you want to do?" All I'm asking is for an objective MECHANIC to look at how silly it is to replace the breather box on my car. I called the main Volvo 800 number because the dealership essentially said they don't argue with the guy they talk to at volvo that makes the repair recommendation. I don't expect this to be resolved to my satisfaction. If I get a chance later today, I am going to ask if the dealership will do the breather box and 80,000 mile service all at once for $750 and hope that they come back with $850 and just take that deal. I want to show the dealership that I am interested in having my car serviced by them, so when it comes time to do the rings, they will fight for me with the warranty company and Volvo USA if necessary. If they won't work with me on this, I am going to plead my case on the breather box, hope for some sort of discount there, and take it to a separate shop for the 80k service (but not tell them). I'm not going to give them the 80k service (which is a rip off at $500+) if they don't work with me.
As of now I don't have the problem and hope I never do . I asked my dealership what the cost would be and they told me 8k . If that was the case I'd make it a farm vehicle and cut the roof off . Lol
That famous Volvo piston rings issue has happend with many owners so far I there a lawsuit about it yet?
Also what can we do to prevent it? Is this the issue that is caused by the faulty factory spark plugs?
No. Separate issue.
It is possible that the warranty company is being straight up at the moment. My issue isn't with them... yet.
1. The powertrain warranty is very limited and I don't see anything related to the PCV listed in the covered items. I guess you could kinda say it is part of the intake manifold, which would be covered, but that's a stretch.
2. Volvo isn't saying that my PCV Breather Box is broken, they are suggesting the replacement as part of a fix for oil consumption issues. That is specifically excluded from my warranty coverage. So I do NOT want to press that issue with the warranty company anyway.

I hope that the dealership didn't call the warranty company to plead the case on the PCV Breather Box. I don't want the warranty company to know anything about my oil consumption issue. When it comes time to get the warranty company to cover the piston rings, I am going to give the service manager specific instructions not to bring up oil consumption. If the warranty company presses him, I will ask him to point to the fact that my defective piston rings have led to multiple issues including failed plugs and coil packs. And that this is a know problem with this new engine that Volvo has acknowledged to the point that after a certain production date, they changed the piston rings and the repair will be done with the new rings.

I completely understand why I am being sent down this route. The technical journals says to replace the breather box, then if that doesn't work, replace the piston rings. The problem lies in the fact that I don't have a little oil consumption and this didn't just start recently. If this weren't a dealership following orders and was a true mechanic doing the diagnosis, they would say... "A breather box is $500 and might work, but probably not. A ring job is $4000 and will surely fix it. Which do you want to do?" All I'm asking is for an objective MECHANIC to look at how silly it is to replace the breather box on my car. I called the main Volvo 800 number because the dealership essentially said they don't argue with the guy they talk to at volvo that makes the repair recommendation. I don't expect this to be resolved to my satisfaction. If I get a chance later today, I am going to ask if the dealership will do the breather box and 80,000 mile service all at once for $750 and hope that they come back with $850 and just take that deal. I want to show the dealership that I am interested in having my car serviced by them, so when it comes time to do the rings, they will fight for me with the warranty company and Volvo USA if necessary. If they won't work with me on this, I am going to plead my case on the breather box, hope for some sort of discount there, and take it to a separate shop for the 80k service (but not tell them). I'm not going to give them the 80k service (which is a rip off at $500+) if they don't work with me.
Ok so you've thrown out a lot of information....Take a deep breath.

1. When did this problem FIRST OCCUR? Mileage / years of ownership?
2. Were you under the factory warranty when the oil consumption first arose?
3. What state are you in?

Here's a few things to consider. My 15.5 Volvo was put into service in June 2015 (factory warranty starts from in service state). So the 4 years would expire June 2019. However, if I read your thread correctly, you exceeded the 50,000 miles allotment and are at 80,000 miles. I would still like to know if the oil consumption issue happened before reaching 50,000 or after.

Per above, if the problem occurred within the warrant period, how early on?

I'm wondering if there's anyway to stick Volvo on the hook for the repair. I.E. You were 3 yrs and 40,000 miles into warranty and started burning oil. And Volvo failed to fix the issue and here you are at 80k? and have been working since 40k.

If outside the warranty, I'd do one of two things:

1. Get second opinion from another Volvo / Shop on the prospective repair.

2. Contact Volvo Corporate and explain your position. That you are not Mr. Money Bags and if Volvo insists that this is the ONLY course, and necessary course to resolve the problem, you aren't on the hook if it doesn't work. Meaning if the new Breather Box doesn't resolve, Volvo will eat this cost, refund your money, or apply the repair towards the ACTUAL repair that is needed.

Sorry but If's and But's aren't enough of an assurance that'd have me throwing money at a vehicle that surely isn't going to get fixed with proposed resolution.
See less See more
Ok so you've thrown out a lot of information....Take a deep breath.

1. When did this problem FIRST OCCUR? Mileage / years of ownership?
Not trying to give you a hard time, but this has been going on for a while and I've had at least two of my own threads on the issue, so I've taken plenty of deep breaths.

FYI, I bought it in March with 72,000 on the clock. I got my first low oil warning ~2,000 miles later. Didn't think much of it until I got another low oil warning ~1,000 miles after that. The intervals between low oil warnings have progressively gotten shorter. I'm now at less than 300 miles per quart. I'll rehash the issue from beginning to end when it is finally resolved, but right now, I'm only interested in updating everyone to my current situation. Feel free to search for posts by my name and you can see how this all started.

Contact Volvo Corporate and explain your position. That you are not Mr. Money Bags and if Volvo insists that this is the ONLY course, and necessary course to resolve the problem, you aren't on the hook if it doesn't work. Meaning if the new Breather Box doesn't resolve, Volvo will eat this cost, refund your money, or apply the repair towards the ACTUAL repair that is needed.
This is essentially what I did yesterday but without the insistence that they work on my car for free. I'm not sure how many of you out there have "contacted Volvo corporate," but it doesn't seem to me like the place that a used Volvo buyer is going to get much headway. I think I'm going to have better luck working directly with the dealer since they actually stand to make some money off me.
See less See more
i'm no mechanic but i firmly believe this "Piston / Spark Plug" issue is somehow related to the "Spark Knock" post over here
https://forums.swedespeed.com/showt...0-T5-clicking-ticking-noise-when-accelerating
This might be a case for a possible buyback from volvo and you can get the new S60 ;)
This might be a case for a possible buyback from volvo and you can get the new S60
I would use the buy back to get a Japanese brand . Volvo can make a good diesel truck but can't make a car . They have been putting out junk for 20 years . I wish I did more research before I bought my rattle trap . Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
I would use the buy back to get a Japanese brand . Volvo can make a good diesel truck but can't make a car . They have been putting out junk for 20 years . I wish I did more research before I bought my rattle trap . Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
The S60 is a rare breed. My friends joke with me all the time on my selection and I just blame my wife. A lone S60 in a land dominated by the Japanese. What can we say ? At least we have a comfy seat and a boron steel cage. What's also fun is when first generation S60 2001-2009 owners chime in and say their S60 consumes no oil. See more of those on the road.
I would use the buy back to get a Japanese brand . Volvo can make a good diesel truck but can't make a car . They have been putting out junk for 20 years . I wish I did more research before I bought my rattle trap . Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
The S60 is a rare breed. My friends joke with me all the time on my selection and I just blame my wife. A lone S60 in a land dominated by the Japanese. What can we say ? At least we have a comfy seat and a boron steel cage. What's also fun is when first generation S60 2001-2009 owners chime in and say their S60 consumes no oil. See more of those on the road.
LOL yeah my wife loves the seats also , I also blame my wife , she was tired of car shopping and just wanted to go home . Well what are you going to do . I just hope it lasts 2 years then I will tell her now we pay for our mistake and dump it .
There was this funny XC90 commercial I came across:


Typical Volvo owners, the elderly and middle aged women.
Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
Volvo's are extremely common in Atlanta. Would never know that they're not a top seller. Audi was much the same here prior to their sales explosion over the last decade.
Volvo's are extremely common in Atlanta. Would never know that they're not a top seller. Audi was much the same here prior to their sales explosion over the last decade.
That's where I bought mine from. At the time, I was looking for 2015 V60s with over 70k miles. There were like 6 in the whole country and 2 were in metro Atlanta. I wonder why. Mine was previously owned by a pharmaceutical company and given to a sales rep that drove... a lot.

A guy on the board bought the other one. Mine has bad rings and his had a cracked piston. Stay away from Atlanta cars! lol
Volvo's are extremely common in Atlanta. Would never know that they're not a top seller. Audi was much the same here prior to their sales explosion over the last decade.
That's where I bought mine from. At the time, I was looking for 2015 V60s with over 70k miles. There were like 6 in the whole country and 2 were in metro Atlanta. I wonder why. Mine was previously owned by a pharmaceutical company and given to a sales rep that drove... a lot.

A guy on the board bought the other one. Mine has bad rings and his had a cracked piston. Stay away from Atlanta cars! lol
You are kidding right ? Atlanta cars lol . Maybe . What makes me laugh is Volvo wants to do self driving cars, Volvo is going to be killing people everywhere driving into buildings and other cars .
That's where I bought mine from. At the time, I was looking for 2015 V60s with over 70k miles. There were like 6 in the whole country and 2 were in metro Atlanta. I wonder why. Mine was previously owned by a pharmaceutical company and given to a sales rep that drove... a lot.

A guy on the board bought the other one. Mine has bad rings and his had a cracked piston. Stay away from Atlanta cars! lol
First off, sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. I would say your case needs to be escalated to VCNA thru the dealer where you purchased. That's ridiculous, burning that much oil is insane. If there's a documented history of your car's service records from its prior owner, then I would say you should qualify for a trade of some sort.
I would use the buy back to get a Japanese brand . Volvo can make a good diesel truck but can't make a car . They have been putting out junk for 20 years . I wish I did more research before I bought my rattle trap . Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
I honestly really love my Volvo 15.5 S60 it's efficient, faster than many of the cars in it's class, and very unique sharp design, I have no problems with mine at all except the aged infotainment system.
Maybe i'm saying that because I have the Platinum Edition with all the options in it idk.
Mercedes C, E and S class are common AF!! even if I can afford one I wouldn't get it because they're like everywhere...as common as the Prius!, and I think the same about model 3 from tesla in the comming years.
maybe it's only me idk but when I purchase a car I would like it to be unique.. and Volvo offers that at a good price!

That reminds me of those women MK and LV expensive bags..I thought it costs $20 to $40 since they're everywhere! (the janitor at work have two!) but when I checked the price for xmas gift I found online it's $300+
First off, sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. I would say your case needs to be escalated to VCNA thru the dealer where you purchased. That's ridiculous, burning that much oil is insane. If there's a documented history of your car's service records from its prior owner, then I would say you should qualify for a trade of some sort.
Yeah, I don't live in Atlanta, so that ain't gonna happen. Nor would that dealer do anything for me since I was never their customer and won't be in the future. I saw some service records from the old owner and it doesn't look like it got much service done at the dealer anyway. It's been escalated to Volvo Cars USA's Tech Hotline through my dealer. It's nice that you would say I should qualify for a trade of some sort, but that is not how dealerships handle issues with 3 year old cars with 80,000 miles. From what I have read on this board, Volvo Cars USA is being cool by assisting some folks with goodwill discounts on piston ring repairs. I'm just trying to get to the point where they say I need piston rings without spending an additional $500 on a breather box. Unfortunately, based on the email I just got from Volvo Cars USA, it looks like that ain't gonna happen.

Here's the email:

We would first like to thank you for your patience while your case was opened. We have finished reviewing your case and as much as we truly desire to resolve all of our customer's requests to their satisfaction, it is not possible to meet every expectation. We regret that in this instance, Volvo Car USA cannot accommodate your request for assistance with this repair. We suggest that you should follow the recommendations of the service department and the Tech Hotline. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter.
It's hard to tell without all of the correspondence, but it sounds to me like they are pushing back because you have not definitively identified piston/rings as the failure. They are not going to buy you pistons and rings without assurances that it is required.

The next move is yours. If you don't make a move (i.e., don't invest in a breather box), then nobody moves, and you lose. If you invest that $500 and it fixes the car, you win. If you invest the $500 and it doesn't fix the car, there is still a chance you can win by getting good will.

I seems clear to me.
It's hard to tell without all of the correspondence, but it sounds to me like they are pushing back because you have not definitively identified piston/rings as the failure. They are not going to buy you pistons and rings without assurances that it is required.

The next move is yours. If you don't make a move (i.e., don't invest in a breather box), then nobody moves, and you lose. If you invest that $500 and it fixes the car, you win. If you invest the $500 and it doesn't fix the car, there is still a chance you can win by getting good will.

I seems clear to me.
I have never asked for goodwill. I have a warranty that I am hoping will cover defective piston rings. I just wanted Volvo to admit that a breather box can't be the cause of burning ~6 qts of oil the past ~2,500 miles and go ahead and admit I need new rings. I just wanted someone to act like a real mechanic and not just follow a checklist like a level 1 help desk worker.

The ironic part is that at the top of every Technical Journal (Volvo's version of a service bulletin) is a slogan:

"Right first time in time"

I'm about to bet $500 that they won't live up to it. And if I'm right, I won't win anything.
I would use the buy back to get a Japanese brand . Volvo can make a good diesel truck but can't make a car . They have been putting out junk for 20 years . I wish I did more research before I bought my rattle trap . Ever wonder why you see so few Volvo's on the road ?
The S60 is a rare breed. My friends joke with me all the time on my selection and I just blame my wife. A lone S60 in a land dominated by the Japanese. What can we say ? At least we have a comfy seat and a boron steel cage. What's also fun is when first generation S60 2001-2009 owners chime in and say their S60 consumes no oil. See more of those on the road.
LOL yeah my wife loves the seats also , I also blame my wife , she was tired of car shopping and just wanted to go home . Well what are you going to do . I just hope it lasts 2 years then I will tell her now we pay for our mistake and dump it .
Your car doesn't even have the oil consumption problem and you are still running around scaring people. I wish you would just get rid of it already.

First off, sorry to hear of your unfortunate situation. I would say your case needs to be escalated to VCNA thru the dealer where you purchased. That's ridiculous, burning that much oil is insane. If there's a documented history of your car's service records from its prior owner, then I would say you should qualify for a trade of some sort.
Yeah, I don't live in Atlanta, so that ain't gonna happen. Nor would that dealer do anything for me since I was never their customer and won't be in the future. I saw some service records from the old owner and it doesn't look like it got much service done at the dealer anyway. It's been escalated to Volvo Cars USA's Tech Hotline through my dealer. It's nice that you would say I should qualify for a trade of some sort, but that is not how dealerships handle issues with 3 year old cars with 80,000 miles. From what I have read on this board, Volvo Cars USA is being cool by assisting some folks with goodwill discounts on piston ring repairs. I'm just trying to get to the point where they say I need piston rings without spending an additional $500 on a breather box. Unfortunately, based on the email I just got from Volvo Cars USA, it looks like that ain't gonna happen.

Here's the email:

We would first like to thank you for your patience while your case was opened. We have finished reviewing your case and as much as we truly desire to resolve all of our customer's requests to their satisfaction, it is not possible to meet every expectation. We regret that in this instance, Volvo Car USA cannot accommodate your request for assistance with this repair. We suggest that you should follow the recommendations of the service department and the Tech Hotline. We apologize for any inconvenience in this matter.
There is a bulletin for the PCV breather box on certain engines as a first step. I assume your engine fits that bulletin so then yes, it needs to be done first. Since you are out of warranty, then you would have to pay for it.

$500 is high though. The part is only $150 to $200 and labor is a half hour. Buy it over the counter and replace it yourself if you want, it's very easy. The bulletin also says to upgrade the ECM software, so maybe that is priced into the $500. Then it would be a fair price.
Your car doesn't even have the oil consumption problem and you are still running around scaring people. I wish you would just get rid of it already.

There is a bulletin for the PCV breather box on certain engines as a first step. I assume your engine fits that bulletin so then yes, it needs to be done first. Since you are out of warranty, then you would have to pay for it.

$500 is high though. The part is only $150 to $200 and labor is a half hour. Buy it over the counter and replace it yourself if you want, it's very easy. The bulletin also says to upgrade the ECM software, so maybe that is priced into the $500. Then it would be a fair price.
You are correct. In post #8 I said they want to replace the PCV breather box AND reprogram the computer. Thank you for the suggestion. If they aren't going to work with me on the repair costs, I will replace the box myself and pay them to reprogram it.

However, do you honestly think a faulty breather box is causing my engine to burn over 1 quart of oil in less than 300 miles?
21 - 40 of 142 Posts
Top