Two and half years into my first Volvo, '19 S60 T6, journey and it's been a blast. The car exceeded many of my expectations. The handling and responsive are more than enough for my needs on the road.

Reliability has been great so far as well. Only had to take it to the shop once for an off-schedule maintenance. Sun/moonroof wouldn't open.

As I approach the warranty expiration, certain concerns are creeping in. The turbo & supercharger anxiety weigh the most.

That being said, I want to see what I should pay attention to for the turbo and supercharger failure. This came up as I had the XC40 PE as a loaner recently. The turbo blow off sound was much more noticeable in that than my s60. Don't think I ever heard the turbo blow off on the s60 to be honest. The supercharger whine is there. Other than relying on fail codes, what signs would indicate a deteriorating turbo/supercharger?

For a turbo, blue/grey smoke coming from the exhaust is a telltale sign. For both, obviously a decrease in power and/or decrease in fuel efficiency are shared symptoms.

Frankly, I wouldn't be particularly worried. You've already mentioned that the car has been very reliable. The components should be good for the life of the car, and Volvo would be in a triumphant heap of feces if turbos and superchargers began failing after three years.

 

OP is not alone in his or her concern. I just had this talk with my local indie Volvo only shop. They are starting to get several cars coming in as warranty ends. Several owners are concerned about the compound charging and what is the long term. To date, they have not dealt with anything dealing with that. Other issues yes, but not turbo/super charger. Could those issue pop up as cars eclipse 100k, possibly but who knows. I asked because my current S80 will be replaced at some point, and I would typically purchase used and these cars are on my radar.

 

if you're worried just buy the extended volvo warranty, mine is 10year/100,000 miles

 

If you're planning to keep it for a long time, purchase a VIP platinum extended warranty through Steingold. I have a 10 year/150k mile warranty on our 2021 XC90. We have a 6 year/120k mile on the 2017. Sorry to scare you, but we've had over $20k in repairs on the 2017 under the VIP platinum. None of them had anything to do with the turbo or supercharger. The VIP platinum covers everything with the turbo and supercharger, including any gaskets/seals. And it covers a whole lot more.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

If you're planning to keep it for a long time, purchase a VIP platinum extended warranty through Steingold. I have a 10 year/150k mile warranty on our 2021 XC90. We have a 6 year/120k mile on the 2017. Sorry to scare you, but we've had over $20k in repairs on the 2017 under the VIP platinum. None of them had anything to do with the turbo or supercharger. The VIP platinum covers everything with the turbo and supercharger, including any gaskets/seals. And it covers a whole lot more.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

Thanks for sharing your ownership experience. It's helpful to get some insights on what others see.

 

I have an early production (Dec 2015) T6 Twincharge R-Design with factory Polestar tuned XC90. It's got 45k miles now, it's far out of factory warranty; although I am now on a Platinum Steingold extended warranty. While I don't have a lot of miles, the car has mostly done shorter around town stuff, but it hasn't been driven hard. All that said, I've not had a single engine problem in 6.5 years. Not ever a check engine light, never a hesitation, nothing. I've had low battery indicators twice early in its life, but each time I had no problem driving it for a week and then to the dealer where they replaced batteries under warranty in ~2 hours. Since moving homes in mid-2018, I've not had battery issues (my wife used to work 1 mile from the office, now she works 7), and when the pandemic hit, I'd put it on the tender once a month for a few hours.

Humbly speaking, it's been an absolutely reliable vehicle. Obviously I can't speak for higher mileage, but based on age, I don't have any anxiety on these powertrains.

 

124k high mileage? 2016.5 XC60 R-Design. 4 cyl. , supercharger failed, turbo charger fine. chalk it up to bad luck?

 

Doing more frequent oil changes is never a bad idea. Would be the first thing to do if one wants to prolonge the life of the engine and turbo.

 

7-8k miles with Volvo approved oil is just fine based on the anecdotal oil analysis I've been doing on ours. I'm not willing to go 10k, especially in the Phoenix climate.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

Does the turbo have the same oil filter issue that has plagued late model Audi's?

 

Dear God I hope not. I am here lurking as a current Audi S6 driver hoping to find a unicorn V60 T6 fully loaded in white or Grey so I can offload this Audi money pit.

 

I have owned quite a few of the twin charged Volvos, I have had very few issues with them.

The only issue was an emissions code for an EVAP line, this was repaired under warranty in 30min.

 

Should we hear the turbo whistle after heavy acceleration? The new XC40 has consistent turbo whistle when I had it as a loaner. It was a PE T5 so maybe the PE was a factor.

 

It’s an XC40 thing from what I can tell. Neither my moms T5 V60CC nor her friends S60 T6 make much noise (other than supercharger whine on the S60) but every XC40 I’ve been in/driven has very distinct turbo noise. I think they have less engine compartment sound deadening.

 

am I correct that 2023 S60 T8 variants won't have supercharge? Do you guys think that it was because they thought supercharge was risky in terms of durability and the motor was a more durable alternative?

 

am I correct that 2023 S60 T8 variants won't have supercharge?

The supercharger was deleted from T8s with the extended range change in MY22.5. The understanding is that the more powerful ERAD in the ER provides the low-RPM torque that the supercharger was providing and so has became unnecessary.

 

I don’t understand the anxiety. Supercharged have been used for years. They have very few components, there is very little to fail. Superchargers have almost a zero failure rate. The likelihood of that needing maintenance on your Volvo is far lower than many other parts. Same for the turbo, something Volvo has a history of as ultra reliable.

If I were to greet about my Volvo out of warranty the two components I’d worry LEAST about is the turbo and supercharger. Volvo discontinuing the supercharger for 2023 is to slow way for a cutting edge e-supercharger, not because it was problematic. I’d be far more worried to own a 2023 with a brand new electric supercharger new to the industry.

 

I don’t understand the anxiety. Supercharged have been used for years. They have very few components, there is very little to fail. Superchargers have almost a zero failure rate. The likelihood of that needing maintenance on your Volvo is far lower than many other parts. Same for the turbo, something Volvo has a history of as ultra reliable.

If I were to greet about my Volvo out of warranty the two components I’d worry LEAST about is the turbo and supercharger. Volvo discontinuing the supercharger for 2023 is to slow way for a cutting edge e-supercharger, not because it was problematic. I’d be far more worried to own a 2023 with a brand new electric supercharger new to the industry.

now you just made me worried as i am thinking of getting 2023 T8 lol, and the only thing I thought I should really worry about was carbon buildup due to having DI. But then I don't really see much complain about the build up on Volvo forums... Since it is PHEV, I suppse I shouldnt really worry much about it either as the miles Id put on this engine will probably stay low...

 

Sleeping easy with a 10 year/unlimited mile warranty through Steingold on my CPO 2020 V60 (dealer loaner).

 

That's sort of what I was expecting too. Here's BorgWarner's product:

Electric Boosting Technologies - BorgWarner

 

Ok, I found an article that definitively discusses the new electric supercharger. See link below, it's a JDPower article from just two weeks ago.

2023 BMW X3 vs. 2023 Volvo XC60 Comparison

The 2023 BMW X3 and 2023 Volvo XC60 are similar in size and pricing, yet they have different personalities. If you're trying to decide between these two compact luxury crossovers, this 2023 BMW X3 vs. 2023 Volvo XC60 comparison is worth a read.

www.jdpower.com

"Next up is the Volvo XC60 B6. In addition to a turbocharger and the mild-hybrid system, the B6 has an electric supercharger (called E-Charger). The result is 295 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed automatic drives all four wheels through the standard AWD system.

The Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 eAWD Extended Range replaces the original version of Volvo's plug-in hybrid compact premium SUV offered early in the 2022 model year. The 2023 XC60 Recharge Extended Range uses the e-supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. The 8-speed automatic drives the SUV's front wheels. There's also a front-mounted, 34-kilowatt electric starter motor (more potent than the mild-hybrid B5 and B6) that functions as a generator and augments the turbocharger's performance."

edit: I just reread your ( @Power6 ) comment and I see that I completely overlooked that you acknowledged the electric supercharger being in the B6. I think my focus on your statement on the T8 not having a replacement for the supercharger made me overlook that. Anywho, it wouldn't make sense to me to not have the electric supercharger on the beefier T8 but yeah this article confirms that the T8 should have it as well. I can't wait for my '23 S60 PE, I really think it should be able to do a sub-4.0s 0-60.

 

Yah I wouldn’t say the supercharger is “gone” it’s merely electrically engineered and not a mechanical system that the 19-21 T6s used.

 

You know how Volvo is at getting correct info out there ;-) *UPDATE* Supercharger Removed for MY 2022 T8 PHEV... you got a dealership and a factory employee in SC confirming the supercharger is removed. I'd go with them over a press article, who knows what info they are getting. Though C&D seems to have it right. Tested: 2022 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered Extended Range

It's not helping when the marketing people are involved: "Oh noes we can't just say we removed the supercharger!! We need the NEW and BETTER part!" and so you get e-boost, a name for nothing at all, just more ERAD power...

 

Also, more fuel to the fire.
Another explanation why the B6 would have an electric supercharger, and not the T8 is, the "electric superchargers" are basically the intake side of a a turbocharger, driven by a powerful electric motor, like a centrifugal supercharger. Anyway, they use the 48v system of the Mild Hybrids to power that motor briefly, and the T8s don't have that, they have 12v or 400v(or whateverthehellitis)

 

whateverthehellitis

Gotta give it a like just for that

 

Still amazing to me that with all the different tech on the SPA 4cyl engines, that there isn't any illustrations/diagrams to be found. I even looked through all of Volvo's Press info.
You can find decent diagrams of the twin charged 2.0, even with animation, but nothing newer than that.

 

Also, does the T5 still require premium fuel? I get it that the T6 did, it was all about maximizing potential power, but the T5 is the economical choice.
Also, the T8 in my opinion should be tuned for regular fuel as well. It has plenty of additional power from the EV system, and the whole idea of PHEV is economy, saving money using EV instead of gasoline, taking away say 20 peak HP and saving 10% on fuel is a win, when you have plenty already. Maybe the Polestar Enhanced/Optimized models would still go for it all and require Premium, sure, makes sense.

 

Also, does the T5 still require premium fuel? I get it that the T6 did, it was all about maximizing potential power, but the T5 is the economical choice.
Also, the T8 in my opinion should be tuned for regular fuel as well. It has plenty of additional power from the EV system, and the whole idea of PHEV is economy, saving money using EV instead of gasoline, taking away say 20 peak HP and saving 10% on fuel is a win, when you have plenty already. Maybe the Polestar Enhanced/Optimized models would still go for it all and require Premium, sure, makes sense.

The user manuals for the current 2022's indicate 91 is still required. Although it still says T5's, T6's, and T8's, I imagine the B5 variants will be the same too.

Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk

 

Those old pumps were cool. My dad loved to point out when we stopped at some random Sunoco station and they had Sunoco 260 available. I think it was 104 octane or thereabouts.

 

There is an OLD Sunoco near my old house that sold 110 leaded and 104 unleaded race gas. Switched to a Marathon, but still sold the unleaded race gas. I ran it in my Dodge Rampage Shelby Charger Turbo converted with manual boost controller, back then 14PSI was huge boost!

 

I have a 2019 s60 t6 r-design with 72k miles. My Supercharger burned up. The clutch mechanism failed i think. It literally melted the insulation around it and smoked a huge amount.

I've learned that these Superchargers fail quite often. They are self reservoir oiled. No supply shared with the engine. They are very small displacement and turn at very high rpm. Eaton makes them. The fail enough for IPD and others to sell replacements. Even the supercharger wiring melted. Had to source a new connector!

I have replaced mine and had lots of little issues since. Still not 100%. Low end boost stinks still. I think the throttle body that came on the new one is defective but not sure yet. I've traced everything else and tested it.

it actually moves while the engine is off! volvo GR-456704 AA. It periodically open or closes while the engine is off.........

 

I have a 2019 s60 t6 r-design with 72k miles. My Supercharger burned up. The clutch mechanism failed i think. It literally melted the insulation around it and smoked a huge amount.

I've learned that these Superchargers fail quite often. They are self reservoir oiled. No supply shared with the engine. They are very small displacement and turn at very high rpm. Eaton makes them. The fail enough for IPD and others to sell replacements. Even the supercharger wiring melted. Had to source a new connector!

I have replaced mine and had lots of little issues since. Still not 100%. Low end boost stinks still. I think the throttle body that came on the new one is defective but not sure yet. I've traced everything else and tested it.

it actually moves while the engine is off! volvo GR-456704 AA. It periodically open or closes while the engine is off.........


View attachment 270504
View attachment 270506
View attachment 270507
View attachment 270503
View attachment 270502
View attachment 270505
View attachment 270500
View attachment 270501
View attachment 270499
View attachment 270498

Kinda solidifies the extended warranties. This alone would pay for almost all of them.

 

I paid $1600 for the new supercharger. The seal kit was another $100 or so. The rest was labor. The warranty is many thousands if I'm not mistaken.