Someone most likely was very lax in the oil-change department 60,000 miles ago.

Have you pulled the charge air pipe and got an idea how much oil it contains? There should be some oil in the pipe, but if its dripping out both ends as you remove it, you should start your turbo savings account. Also, how does the top of the dipstick look? Sludge buildup there will give you an idea what all the oil-delivery channels and pockets look like.

 

Thanks very much for your response. I just finished pulling and examining the charge air pipe. Here are some photos (at bottom in the following order):

1. Charge air pipe (end closest to radiator). Virtually no oil.
2. Charge air pipe (end attached to turbo). A very small film of oil (see third photo).
3. Total amount of oil inside turbo end of the charge air pipe.
4. Rubber hose next to radiator that connects to charge air pipe. Small amount (maybe half of teaspoon) of dry, tar-like sludge. That is it -- no hint of oil down in hose.
5. Opening of turbo. Small accumulation of dirty oil at lip (see photo). No obvious sign of oil in turbo itself, even at bottom. Extremely clean.

For extra measure I cut a length of cotton clothesline and pushed it through the charge pipe and found no obstructions and it came out almost as clean as it went in. It seems to me that the turbo is OK but I am a novice with turbos so I am open to feedback. The smoking started about 3 weeks ago. Until one week ago car had some pretty old dino oil in it. Replaced with 5W-30 Pennzoil Ultra Euro L full synthetic and new filter. Have not gotten any error messages, just get the whitish-grey smoke about 1 minute into startup (usually while at first traffic light). After about 2 minutes, it disappears.

If the turbo is OK, would the PCV system be the next thing to check? I have also read about stem seals, does that seem likely? Funny thing is, I had the car smogged about a month ago and got a clean bill of health!

I really appreciate any and all input from you all. If I have to take it in to my mechanic, that's OK, but I always like to see if I can take care of it and share the process with others. I can't tell you how much time, worry, and money forums like this have saved me over the years.

 

Sorry, I also forgot to mention that the dipstick is very clean, no sludge at all.

 

Well a grey-white smoke usually means coolant not oil. It's not uncommon to get a thin greyish-white smoke on startup in the morning just from the condensation in the pipe getting burned off. But if you're getting a thick consistent white steam than you could be burning coolant due to a cracked cylinder, bad head gasket etc. Does it have a sweet sort of smell to it?

 

Thanks for the response. I just got back from driving it around the block and it was smoking consistently. Seemed more grey than white, maybe a hint of blue? It was hard to tell. When I got back home I idled it and smelled the exhaust and it did not smell sweet -- more like gasoline I guess? Been monitoring the coolant as well and the level has been at maximum like always. So I don't think it's a coolant leak but who knows . . .

I am starting to wonder if it's burning rich or something, maybe it's the MAF Sensor? Software needs updating maybe? But I just bumped into an old mechanic at Harbor Freight who is familiar with the Volvo 5-cylinder and he said he thinks it's the PCV system. I thought about ordering a replacement PCV kit but decided to take it in Monday or Tuesday to a well-respected independent Volvo mechanic and let him sort it out. I have a couple other minor issues that I think a software update might help as well so I can get everything sorted out at once. I've owned the car for 4 years now and have never taken it to a Volvo specialist so I am actually looking forward to it to get an expert opinion. I don't THINK it's anything catastrophically expensive but when I find out I will be sure to post it here so that it might help someone else down the road.

Funny thing is, I have never really liked the car (it's my wife's) but tinkering around with it I am developing a fondness for the quirkiness that is a Volvo. My brother is selling his 2010 XC90 3.2 and I'm thinking about making him an offer!

 

UPDATE: I hate it when I'm reading through a thread and there's no resolution to the problem to help others, so here I am to let everyone know for posterity why my S60 is emitting grey-white smoke from the exhaust.

As suggested, it's the turbo. The Volvo mechanic (independent but highly respected) says it's shot, along with the PCV system. Blames too long between oil changes. I've been pretty good about changing the oil, just let the last one go a bit long and he said it could be from before I owned the car (we bought it with 49,000 miles, we've put about 30,000 on it).

Want to know what sort of oil a Volvo expert with 30 years experience recommends for the 2.5T engine? Castrol Syntec, changed every 5,000 miles, not one mile more. I'll be following his advice I can assure you.

So, he's going to work up an estimate and I'll update with that cost, which is going to hurt for sure, as soon as I get it.

He also found a host of other less-pressing issues that people might find interesting:

- Ever had your car not start when you turn the key, then 5 minutes later it starts? Might be your key antenna ring.
- Don't use K&N Filters -- he says, "They're great filters but not for Volvos."
- Monroe brand struts are not recommended -- "They work fine but the ride is not Volvo-quality."

 

UPDATE:

Quoted cost from a highly rated/trusted/recommended independent Volvo mechanic to replace with reconditioned Volvo turbo, a whole mess of related parts and repair leaking exhaust manifold/replace coolant: $2700

Could I get a cheaper quote? Probably. Could I do it myself? Probably. Will I have him do it? Probably. Time is money and I don't have the time. Even if I did it it would take me a week of suffering to do what it his shop can do in one day -- and at the end of it all, I probably won't do it as well and there will be no guarantees. It sucks but I got the car quite affordably, it's given me zero problems for 4 years and when I factor in this expense to the overall cost of ownership for me, it's actually quite a bargain especially if I keep the car for another 5 years (not sure about that).

Moral of the story -- if your turbo-equipped Volvo starts emitting greyish-white smoke that smells a bit like a candle after it's been blown out, odds are it's the turbo. Keep your eye on your oil level, change it every 5k miles with synthetic! Thus endeth the thread . . .

 

Funny (well not really ha) I was thinking about this thread lately and was meaning to get back to it. I was remembering your symptoms and thought to myself, ya know, with that mileage I really doubt it's the pcv or a head gasket or anything of the such. My money is definitely on the turbo. Come back here today and see you've found out it was the turbo (along wit the manifold leaking)! Guess my thoughts were right lol.

Well anyway I wish you the best of luck with repairs! :thumbup: